- According to studies published in the journals Nature and Nature Geoscience, world temperatures rose faster in the late 20th century than at any other time in the last 2,000 years.
- The paper published in Nature examined regional temperature trends over time. While, the paper published in Nature Geoscience examined rates of surface warming, averaged over sub-periods each a few decades long.
- The researchers had used data compiled from nearly 700 temperature indicators such as tree rings, sediment cores, coral reefs, modern thermometer readings etc.
- The findings of the study suggest that in modern human history temperatures rose the fastest and most consistently in the late 20th century marked by unprecedented anthropogenic emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. The study also found that pre-industrial temperature fluctuations were largely driven by volcanic activity.
