2015 Was the Hottest Year on Record

The earth is heating up, according to new data from NASA and the NOAA that shows that the temperature of 14.8 degrees C. (57 degrees F.) is the highest since measurements began to be taken in 1880. The new mark outpaced the previous record set in 2014 by 0.16 degrees C., with 10 months seeing their record warm temperature set in 2015. The researchers state that not only is this the highest calendar year temperature, but it’s also the highest temperature for any 12-month period on record. The influence of El Nino is noted as a possible driver for the change.

The data shows that temperature rise is increasing as well, with the global temperature increasing 0.07 degrees C. per decade since 1880 and by 0.17 degrees C. since 1970. The report notes that this is the fourth time since 2000 that a new high temperature mark has been set; 2005, 2010, and 2014 also smash previous records. 2015 is the 39^th straight year that the annual temperature has been above the average for the 20^th century.