The 10 Most Concerning Facts About Climate Change

Wildfires, fossil-fuel emissions, and pollution are driving record levels of hazardous air quality in major cities worldwide.

Floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and heatwaves are intensifying, causing widespread economic and human impacts.

Millions of coastal homes and communities are at increased risk from erosion, flooding, and storm surges.

The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, threatening ecosystems, wildlife, and global weather patterns.

Warming oceans fuel stronger storms, while increased acidity harms coral reefs and marine life that support global food chains.

Species extinction is accelerating as habitats change or disappear, affecting ecosystems that humans rely on for food, clean water, and stability.

 The last decade has been the hottest ever recorded, with temperatures increasing faster than at any time in modern human history. 

Governments and businesses face hundreds of billions of dollars annually in damages from climate-related disasters. 

 Climate impacts—such as drought, floods, and rising seas—are forcing communities to relocate, creating climate refugees. 

Heat-related illnesses, respiratory diseases, vector-borne illnesses, and mental-health impacts are all rising due to climate change.