How much warming has occurred since first Earth Day in 1970?

As we celebrate Earth Day, hopefully with actions that stick beyond the day, we’d like to take a look back and show you how much the U.S., different states, and cities have warmed since the celebration started on April 22, 1970. Spoiler… about 99% of the cities analyzed have warmed.

We know and have noticed, how many changes (many abrupt) our weather has. Drastic and often varying weather ultimately brings changes in climate which ultimately affects everything around us. Think of climate change as the whole topic and extreme drought, global warming (temperatures rising), extreme floods, etc. as the subtopics. It’s like a butterfly effect.

The warming of our planet contributes to many crucial changes. It’s been proven that the most significant warming has come since the industrial revolution. Scientists have isolated the different factors that have contributed to the temperature increase and, without a doubt, humans are the cause of this drastic warming.

As we have seen more catastrophic weather events happening, more people have become aware of the need to work together for a common cause. The warming temperatures are what we humans usually notice first. Seasons are shifting, with winter becoming shorter across many parts of the south while many industries, like winter sports, are directly affected by the lack of solid precipitation.

In an in-depth analysis by Climate Central, a nonprofit organization, data shows that since 1970, the average temperature of the United States has risen by 2.6 F. The fastest warming state is Alaska, with a temperature 4.3 degrees F higher than in 1970. And to zoom in even closer, the fastest-warming city was Reno, Nev., with an increase of 7.7 degrees F. Overall, 244 of 246 of the cities analyzed have warmed since 1970, and 69 percent have experienced at least a 2- degree F warming.

Earth Day’s first celebration started in 1970. Since then, many efforts to help our planet heal itself have been born.

Warming is one of many ways that continued emissions of heat-trapping gases like CO2 impact our planet, our communities, and our food and water supplies. Each one of us can help curve emissions. Here are 3 easy steps that could help you reduce your emissions. We can all put our part to limit the warming of our atmosphere.