From destructive wildfires to heat waves that stretch the limits of the utility grid to increasingly powerful hurricanes and storms, climate change touches every part of the United States. But some regions are in shape to fare better than others. These are the best and worst states in America for climate change.
It’s no secret that temperatures across the planet are on the rise. The earth’s temperature has risen by 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit (0.08 degrees Celsius) per decade since 1880, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But since 1981, the rate of warming has more than doubled. Scientists warn that if we see the planet warm to more than 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels, we may see catastrophic effects. We’re currently at 1.1 degrees.
As temperatures continue to rise, the result is being felt around the globe. The year 2020 tied with 2016 for the hottest year on record, according to data from NASA. In fact, every year since 2013 has ranked as one of the 10 hottest years ever — and 19 of the world’s warmest years have occurred since 2000.
