Climate Change

Question 1

What is the current global temperature increase since pre-industrial times?

Answer 1

1.2°C (as of 2023).

Question 2

How much has CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere increased since 1750?

Answer 2

From 280 ppm to over 420 ppm by 2023.

Question 3

What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions is from fossil fuels?

Answer 3

Approximately 75%.

Question 4

How much did global sea levels rise between 1901 and 2018?

Answer 4

0.19 meters (19 cm).

Question 5

How much did global CO₂ emissions increase from 1990 to 2019?

Answer 5

By 59% (from 22.6 billion tonnes to 35.6 billion tonnes).

Question 6

What is the global temperature target of the Paris Agreement?

Answer 6

To limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Question 7

How much has the Arctic sea ice extent decreased in the summer since 1979?

Answer 7

By approximately 40%.

Question 8

What percentage of global greenhouse gases does agriculture account for?

Answer 8

Approximately 25%.

Question 9

By how much did the average global temperature increase in 2020?

Answer 9

1.2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Question 10

How much did the frequency of extreme heat events increase globally from 1950 to 2017?

Answer 10

By 50%.

Question 11

What percentage of the world’s glaciers are losing mass?

Answer 11

Over 99% are in retreat.

Question 12

How much has the world’s ocean surface temperature increased since 1880?

Answer 12

By 0.8°C.

Question 13

How much did global carbon dioxide emissions increase during 2020 despite the pandemic?

Answer 13

By 2.6% (from 2019).

Question 14

How much has methane concentration in the atmosphere increased since pre-industrial times?

Answer 14

By more than 150%.

Question 15

What is the expected rise in sea levels by 2100 under high emission scenarios?

Answer 15

0.6 to 1.1 meters.

Question 16

What percentage of coral reefs are expected to be lost by 2050 due to climate change?

Answer 16

70% to 90%.

Question 17

How many people are expected to be displaced by climate change by 2050?

Answer 17

Up to 200 million.

Question 18

What was the cost of global climate-related disasters in 2020?

Answer 18

$210 billion.

Question 19

How much has the global land area affected by drought increased since 1970?

Answer 19

By 29%.

Question 20

What percentage of the global population is exposed to heatwaves?

Answer 20

30% (2020 estimate).

Question 21

How much did the number of wildfires in the Amazon rainforest increase from 2019 to 2020?

Answer 21

By 14%.

Question 22

What is the projected temperature rise for the Arctic by 2100?

Answer 22

3 to 5°C higher than global average.

Question 23

How much of the world’s land area could become desertified by 2050 due to climate change?

Answer 23

Up to 20%.

Question 24

How much did the frequency of severe hurricanes increase from 1980 to 2020?

Answer 24

By 33%.

Question 25

What percentage of global fisheries is at risk due to ocean acidification?

Answer 25

Around 25%.

Question 26

How much did agricultural productivity decrease in Africa due to climate change by 2019?

Answer 26

By 5 to 10%.

Question 27

How much could crop yields decrease by 2050 due to climate change?

Answer 27

By up to 25%.

Question 28

What percentage of coral reefs have been degraded due to climate change?

Answer 28

50%.

Question 29

What is the estimated increase in precipitation in some parts of the UK by 2100 due to climate change?

Answer 29

Up to 30%.

Question 30

How many gigatons of carbon dioxide are emitted annually by human activities?

Answer 30

Around 36 gigatons.

Question 31

What percentage of global CO₂ emissions are produced by the richest 10% of the population?

Answer 31

50%

Question 32

Which countries are the largest emitters of CO₂?

Answer 32

China the United States and India are the top three.

Question 33

What percentage of global CO₂ emissions come from the top 100 companies?

Answer 33

Approximately 71%.

Question 34

How much of the global carbon budget has been consumed by the United States since 1850?

Answer 34

Around 25%.

Question 35

Which sector is responsible for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer 35

The transportation sector.

Question 36

What is the main source of methane emissions in agriculture?

Answer 36

Livestock particularly cattle are the primary source.

Question 37

How much have wealthy nations contributed to global historical emissions compared to developing countries?

Answer 37

Wealthy nations have historically emitted 79% of global CO₂ emissions.

Question 38

What percentage of the poorest people in the world emit the same amount of CO2 as the richest 1%

Answer 38

66%