What is the state of our environment and climate?
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2020 was the second-warmest year on record. The average global temperature was 0.98 °C (1.76 °F) above the 20th century average. It was also 0.02 °C (0.04 °F) below 2016, the warmest year on record.
All states, and especially in the Northeast, have become warmer over the past century. Between 1895 and 2019, the average temperature in half of US counties rose more than 2.7°F (1.5°C), a key threshold of climate warming identified by NASA.
In 1980, the average US county had good air quality 59% of days. In 2020, that rose to 88% of days. Adjusting for population change, Hawaii had the largest air quality decrease per square mile between 1980 and 2020, partly due to volcanic air pollution. California had the largest improvement.
Get more facts on the environment and climate in the US here.
Climate in the United StatesThe United States has experienced a wide variety of extreme weather over the last 125 years, impacting people, communities, and read more...
How do energy and emissions in the United States compare to the rest of the world?Fossil fuels account for 79% of US energy consumption. The share of energy consumption from nuclear and renewable sources has read more...
Where do refugees resettle in the US?Changes in refugee policy between presidential administrations caused big shifts in the number of refugees admitted to the US in read more...