Full History Of Climate change In Timeline From 1900

1900: Pre-Industrial Baseline

The year 1900 is the end of the Pre-industrial baseline period from 1850-1900, which is used as a reference for measuring global warming. This baseline helps scientists and policymakers assess the magnitude of temperature changes relative to a period unaffected by significant human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

1938: Callendar's Evidence of Warming and Rising CO2

Beginning in 1938, Guy Stewart Callendar published evidence that climate was warming and CO2 levels were rising, but his calculations met with scepticism.

1961: Start of Global Dimming

From 1961 to 1990, a gradual reduction in the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface was observed, known as global dimming. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to sulfate aerosols produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, highlighting the complex interplay between pollution and climate.

1970: Increased Temperature

After 1970, the increasing accumulation of greenhouse gases and controls on sulfur pollution led to a marked increase in global temperature. This shift underscores the growing impact of human activities on the climate system.

1970: Thermal Energy Increase

Since 1970, the thermal energy in the global climate system has grown with only brief pauses, with over 90% of this extra energy stored in the ocean. This increase shows the significant amount of heat being trapped within the Earth's system as a result of greenhouse gas emissions.

1975: Early Usage of 'Global Warming'

In 1975, the term 'global warming' was used to describe changes to the Earth's climate. This early usage marks the beginning of a shift in terminology, laying the groundwork for widespread awareness and research on climate change.

1980: Monsoonal Precipitation Increase

Since 1980, monsoonal precipitation over the Northern Hemisphere has increased. This change in precipitation patterns underscores the far-reaching impacts of climate change on regional weather systems.

1987: Montreal Protocol

In 1987, the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to phase out production of ozone-depleting gases, has had benefits for climate change mitigation.

1988: Hansen's Testimony

In 1988, NASA climate scientist James Hansen used the term 'global warming' in his testimony in the U.S. Senate. This pivotal moment brought the concept of global warming to the forefront of public and political discourse, influencing future climate research and policy.

1988: Hansen's Congressional Testimony

James Hansen's 1988 Congressional testimony alerted the public to the dangers of climate change.

1990: End of Global Dimming

From 1961 to 1990, a gradual reduction in the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface was observed, known as global dimming. By 1990, aerosols have been declining since due to pollution controls, meaning that they no longer mask greenhouse gas warming as much.

1990: Sea Level Rise Underestimation

Sea level rise since 1990 was underestimated in older climate models, but more recent models agree well with observations. This highlights the ongoing refinement of climate models to better predict the impacts of climate change.

1994: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

In 1994, nearly all countries became parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aiming to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.

1997: Kyoto Protocol Extension

In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol extended the UNFCCC, including legally binding commitments for developed countries to limit their emissions.

1998: Start of "Global Warming Hiatus"

From 1998 to 2013, negative phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) caused a short slower period of warming called the "global warming hiatus". This period demonstrates the complexities of climate variability.

2000: Long-Term Sea Level Rise

The estimated total sea level rise is 2.3 metres per degree Celsius (4.2 ft/°F) after 2000 years due to long-term effects of climate change. This long-term projection underscores the lasting and profound consequences of current emissions on future sea levels.

2001: Deforestation Statistics

Between 2001 and 2018, 27% of deforestation was from permanent clearing to enable agricultural expansion for crops and livestock. This highlights the significant contribution of agricultural practices to deforestation and subsequent carbon emissions.

2004: Release of "The Day After Tomorrow"

In 2004, the climate fiction movie "The Day After Tomorrow" focused on climate change.

2006: Release of "An Inconvenient Truth"

In 2006, the Al Gore documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" focused on climate change.

2009: Copenhagen Accord

The 2009 Copenhagen Accord aimed to limit the global temperature rise to below 2 °C and set a goal of sending $100 billion per year to developing countries for mitigation and adaptation by 2020.

2010: Baseline for agricultural emissions reduction

Actions in agriculture and forestry could reduce emissions by two-thirds from 2010 levels by reducing demand, increasing productivity, protecting forests, and reducing emissions from production.

2010: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline

As of 2021, based on 48 national climate plans, estimated total greenhouse gas emissions will be 0.5% lower compared to 2010 levels, below the 45% or 25% reduction goals to limit global warming to 1.5 °C or 2 °C, respectively.

2013: End of "Global Warming Hiatus"

From 1998 to 2013, negative phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) caused a short slower period of warming called the "global warming hiatus". This period demonstrates the complexities of climate variability.

2014: Sea Level Rise

Between 2014 and 2023, sea level rose at a rate of 4.8 cm per decade due to thermal expansion and melting ice. This rise in sea level poses significant threats to coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide.

2014: Start of the 2014-2023 Decade

The decade from 2014 to 2023 experienced significant warming, averaging 1.19 °C above the pre-industrial baseline (1850–1900). This period illustrates the consistent and accelerating increase in global temperatures, driven by climate change.

2015: Paris Agreement

In 2015, all UN countries negotiated the Paris Agreement, aiming to keep global warming well below 2.0 °C and contains an aspirational goal of keeping warming under 1.5 °C.

2016: Air pollution deaths estimate

In 2016, air pollution deaths were estimated at 7 million annually, which low-carbon energy aims to minimize by reducing climate change.

2016: Kigali Amendment

In 2016, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol committed to reducing the emissions of hydrofluorocarbons, which served as a replacement for banned ozone-depleting gases and are also potent greenhouse gases.

2016: World Bank Poverty Estimate

The World Bank estimates that between 2016 and 2030, climate change could drive over 120 million people into extreme poverty without adaptation. This projection underscores the significant socioeconomic impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions.

2017: Global fossil fuel subsidies

Direct global fossil fuel subsidies reached $319 billion in 2017, with indirect costs (like air pollution) raising the total to $5.2 trillion.

2017: National Climate Assessment

The 2017 United States-published National Climate Assessment notes that "climate models may still be underestimating or missing relevant feedback processes". This acknowledgment emphasizes the continued need for improving the accuracy and comprehensiveness of climate models.

2018: Deforestation Statistics

Between 2001 and 2018, 27% of deforestation was from permanent clearing to enable agricultural expansion for crops and livestock. This highlights the significant contribution of agricultural practices to deforestation and subsequent carbon emissions.

2018: Start of School Strike for Climate

Since 2018, young people across the globe have been protesting climate change by skipping school on Fridays, inspired by Greta Thunberg, in what became known as the School Strike for Climate.

2019: Scientific Consensus on Climate Change

As of 2019, agreement in recent literature reached over 99% that the climate is warming and that this is caused by human activities.

2019: Carbon pricing coverage

As of 2019, carbon pricing mechanisms covered about 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

2019: Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2019, global human-caused greenhouse gas emissions were equivalent to 59 billion tonnes of CO2. This substantial amount underscores the magnitude of human impact on climate change through various sectors, including energy, industry, and agriculture.

2019: Climate Emergency Declarations

In 2019, the United Kingdom parliament became the first national government to declare a climate emergency. That same year, the European Parliament declared a "climate and environmental emergency".

2020: Under-delivery of Copenhagen Accord Goal

As of 2020, only $83.3 billion of the $100 billion per year commitment pledged in the Copenhagen Accord was delivered to developing countries for mitigation and adaptation.

2020: Fuel Oil Regulation Impact

Since 2020, the effect of decreasing sulfur content of fuel oil for ships is estimated to cause an additional 0.05 °C increase in global mean temperature by 2050. This underscores the complex interplay between environmental regulations and their unintended impacts on global warming.

October 2021: Ratification of the Paris Agreement

As of October 2021, 194 states and the European Union have signed the Paris Agreement, and 191 states and the EU have ratified or acceded to the agreement.

2021: Assessment of National Climate Plans

As of 2021, based on 48 national climate plans, estimated total greenhouse gas emissions will be 0.5% lower compared to 2010 levels, below the 45% or 25% reduction goals to limit global warming to 1.5 °C or 2 °C, respectively.

2021: "Fit for 55" Legislation Package

In 2021, the European Commission released its "Fit for 55" legislation package, which contains guidelines for the car industry.

2021: IPCC Assessment Report on Human Causation

The 2021 IPCC Assessment Report stated that it is "unequivocal" that climate change is caused by humans.

2021: IPCC Sixth Assessment Report

The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report in 2021 provided projections that by 2100, global warming is very likely to reach 1.0–1.8 °C under a very low emissions scenario, 2.1–3.5 °C under an intermediate emissions scenario, or 3.3–5.7 °C under a very high emissions scenario. This report underscores the range of potential future climate scenarios based on different emissions pathways.

2022: Increased Greenhouse Gas Concentrations

In 2022, the concentrations of CO2 and methane had increased by about 50% and 164%, respectively, since 1750. These levels are higher than they have been in millions of years, emphasizing the profound impact of human activities on atmospheric composition.

2023: Carbon Budget Estimate

According to UNEP, in 2023 global warming can be kept below 1.5 °C with a 50% chance if emissions after 2023 do not exceed 200 gigatonnes of CO2. This underscores the urgent need to drastically reduce emissions.

2023: Sea Level Rise

Between 2014 and 2023, sea level rose at a rate of 4.8 cm per decade due to thermal expansion and melting ice. This rise in sea level poses significant threats to coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide.

2023: Inequality in Global Emissions

In 2023, Oxfam found that the wealthiest 10% of people were responsible for 50% of global emissions, while the bottom 50% were responsible for just 8%.

2023: Renewables Dominate New Electricity Generation

In 2023, renewables represented 86% of all new electricity generation installed globally.

2023: Expected Achievement of Copenhagen Accord Target

Only in 2023 the $100 billion per year target pledged in the Copenhagen Accord to developing countries is expected to be achieved.

2023: End of the 2014-2023 Decade

The decade from 2014 to 2023 experienced significant warming, averaging 1.19 °C above the pre-industrial baseline (1850–1900). This period illustrates the consistent and accelerating increase in global temperatures, driven by climate change.

2024: Paris Agreement pledges assessment

As of 2024, pledges made under the Paris Agreement suggest a 66% chance that global warming will be kept under 2.8 °C by the end of the century, but current policies raise this to 3.1°C.

2024: Temperature Above Recent Average

In 2024, global temperatures were well above the recent average, exceeding +1.5 °C. This spike underscores the long-term warming trend and highlights the increasing urgency of climate action.

2024: WMO Temperature Estimate

In 2024, the World Meteorological Organization estimated that there is almost a 50% chance of the five-year average global temperature exceeding +1.5 °C between 2024 and 2028. This projection highlights the increasing likelihood of surpassing critical warming thresholds.

2024: Warmest Year on Record

In 2024, the global average temperature was recorded at +1.60 °C (2.88 °F) above pre-industrial levels, marking it as the warmest year since regular tracking began in 1850. This significant warming highlights the escalating impacts of climate change.

2025: Start of Climate Reparations Period

The top 21 fossil fuel companies would owe cumulative climate reparations of $5.4 trillion over the period 2025–2050.

2028: WMO Temperature Estimate

The World Meteorological Organization estimates that there is almost a 50% chance of the five-year average global temperature exceeding +1.5 °C between 2024 and 2028. This projection highlights the increasing likelihood of surpassing critical warming thresholds.

2030: Emissions Reduction Target

By 2030, limiting warming to 1.5 °C requires halving emissions according to the Paris Agreement. This target signifies the urgent need for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.

2030: Peak Fossil Fuel Use Expected

Prior to 2030, fossil fuel use is expected to peak in absolute terms and then decline, with coal use experiencing the sharpest reductions.

2030: World Bank Poverty Estimate

The World Bank estimates that between 2016 and 2030, climate change could drive over 120 million people into extreme poverty without adaptation. This projection underscores the significant socioeconomic impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions.

2035: Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate in Europe

From 2035, all new cars on the European market must be zero-emission vehicles, as part of the European Commission's "Fit for 55" legislation package.

2050: Projected Increase in Climate Change Deaths

According to the World Economic Forum, 14.5 million more deaths are expected due to climate change by 2050. This projection highlights the severe health risks and potential loss of life associated with the ongoing climate crisis.

2050: Malnutrition Deaths

According to the World Economic Forum, an increase in drought in certain regions could cause 3.2 million deaths from malnutrition by 2050. This alarming projection highlights the severe risks climate change poses to food security and human health.

2050: Net-Zero Emissions Target

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is necessary to limit warming to 1.5 °C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This ambitious goal represents a complete transformation of energy systems and land use practices to balance greenhouse gas emissions.

2050: Potential Warming Reduction

Limiting new black carbon deposits in the Arctic could reduce global warming by 0.2 °C by 2050. This illustrates the potential benefits of targeted mitigation efforts in specific regions to curb overall warming.

2050: Lives saved by meeting Paris Agreement goals

Meeting the Paris Agreement goals by 2050 to limit warming to a 2 °C increase could save about a million lives per year.

2050: Carbon-Neutral Commitment by South Korea and Japan

South Korea and Japan have committed to become carbon-neutral by 2050.

2050: EU Carbon-Neutral Goal

The European Commission presented its European Green Deal with the goal of making the EU carbon-neutral by 2050.

2050: End of Climate Reparations Period

The top 21 fossil fuel companies would owe cumulative climate reparations of $5.4 trillion over the period 2025–2050.

2050: Renewable energy as dominant electricity source

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, renewable energy would become the dominant form of electricity generation, rising to 85% or more in some scenarios. Coal use would be nearly phased out.

2050: Net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions target

To limit global warming to less than 1.5 °C, global greenhouse gas emissions need to be net-zero by 2050. This target requires systemic changes in energy, land use, and industry.