Earth's True Temperature Record Rewritten

A new global temperature dataset, GloSAT, has extended the historical climate record back to 1781, offering a more comprehensive view of Earth's warming. This revised timeframe suggests that planet-warming pollution rates increased significantly even before the commonly used 1850 baseline, indicating potentially more human-caused warming.

The dataset incorporates data from historical sources such as 18th-century ship logs and early weather stations, acknowledging factors like powerful volcanic eruptions in the early 1800s that temporarily cooled the planet. Scientists are using this extended record to refine estimates of human-induced warming between 1750 and 1850.

While this new understanding of earlier warming might alter perceptions of human impact, experts caution against concluding that climate goals are unattainable. The findings emphasize the need for a nuanced understanding of historical climate data and its implications for present-day climate change assessments.