Environment

Last year was the sixth warmest on record, according to NASA. It is now tied with 2018.

Another government agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has conducted its own research. NOAA is focused on understanding and protecting ocean resources. It also focuses on studying the atmosphere. (The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth.)

NOAA and NASA have been tracking global temperatures for decades. Research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says 2021 will be slightly warmer than 2018. However, both studies suggest that 2021 is part of a larger trend: The past eight years have been the warmest on record.

"We're seeing this steep and sustained rise in temperatures," said Leslie Ott, who works for NASA. She is a meteorologist. This is a scientist who studies weather and climate events.

The new information looks scary, Ott said. But knowing the facts helps scientists understand climate change. This is a major change in Earth's climate over a long period of time. It can occur naturally or in response to human activity. Scientists hope to use this new information to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

NASA and NOAA scientists track surface temperatures. These are "the kind of temperatures we notice when we walk out the door," Ott said.

Climate change isn't the only reason to track surface temperatures.

Beginning in the mid-1800s, the Weather Bureau began measuring temperatures across the United States. The government tracks changes in temperatures every year. This helps the shipping industry figure out the best time to transport goods. It also helps farmers understand the best time to plant their crops.

Transportation and agricultural businesses still rely on this information. But the way weather data or information is collected has changed a lot since the 1800s.

"In the past, people used the same thermometers you see in science class," Ott said. They also recorded these temperatures using paper and pencil.

Today, there are thousands of digital weather stations around the world. These devices are often located on top of university and community buildings.

These sites collect data, sometimes every hour or every few minutes. The data includes daily minimum and maximum temperatures. Next, the computer records the data. This allows scientists to create models that track trends and other information. A model is a tool that represents or simulates what can or might happen in the real world.

Surface temperatures aren't the only temperatures scientists use to determine annual high-temperature records. Ott said they also measure the temperature of the soil. This is important for growing plants. They also measure temperatures in the ocean. These temperatures are important to plants and animals that live in the water.

Scientists also measure temperatures miles above the Earth's surface. These are atmospheric temperatures.

"This is very important for things like flying airplanes and being able to predict weather systems," Ott said.

Measuring atmospheric temperatures has convinced scientists that human-caused climate change is responsible for our hot surface temperatures. In the atmosphere, scientists can detect traces of greenhouse gases. These are gases that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere. Examples include carbon dioxide and methane. These gases are released when people drive cars and burn coal for heating.

Not everyone thinks climate change is important. But Ott said anyone can check the temperature data themselves. NOAA and NASA provide this data online.

"Go to the source!" Otto said. "We're doing a lot of work to try to get real information, and that's a big point of pride."

Copyright 2022 The Washington Post.

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