Our Reddening Globe
Visualize climate change data with a 3D globe
Shri Khalpada
This tool visualizes global, regional, and coordinate temperature anomalies from 1880 to 2023. A temperature anomaly is the difference between the observed temperature and the average temperature over a baseline period of time for a location.
The globe shows coordinate data for over 1,000 relatively evenly distributed points on Earth's landmasses over time. The graphs on the right give a global and regional view of the same timeframe.
All data on this page comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For each year, this visualization uses anomaly data from June of that year.
Regarding the baseline time periods, per NOAA: "Please note, global and hemispheric anomalies are with respect to the 1901-2000 average. Coordinate anomalies are with respect to the 1991-2020 average. All other regional anomalies are with respect to the 1910-2000 average."
What's the difference between a global anomaly of 1.5°C and 2.0°C?
- • 420 million fewer people experiencing extreme heatwaves on a frequent basis.
- • 61 million fewer people in cities facing severe drought conditions.
- • 184–270 million fewer people projected to face serious water scarcity.
- • 0.1 meters (0.33 feet) less sea-level rise - helping protect 70% of Earth’s coastlines from flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion.
- • A dramatically lower loss of species ranges:
- ◦ Only 6% of insects affected instead of 18%.
- ◦ Only 8% of plants affected instead of 16%.
- ◦ Only 4% of vertebrates affected instead of 8%.
The scientific consensus is clear: the climate crisis is real and anthropogenic. The effects of climate change are being felt around the world.
We can make a difference in protecting the environment by taking action in our daily lives and supporting reputable environmental charities. Reduce, reuse, and recycle to minimize waste, conserve energy and water, and make sustainable choices whenever possible. Every small step contributes to a healthier planet. And if you're able to, donating to environmental charities is a great way to support the cause.
Acknowledgements
I found a lot of inspiration in the visualizations and articles on the subject from NOAA and NASA. The inspiration for the globe visualization came from the work of Ksenia Kondrashova.
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