2013 among warmest years on record, continues warming trend

U.S. scientists have determined that Earth maintained its warming trend in 2013, despite several unexpected environmental variables, Reuters reported.

With an average temperature of 58.3 degrees Fahrenheit, NASA claimed that 2013 tied with 2006 and 2009 as the seventh warmest year since the start of global temperature recording in 1880. Using a different calculating method, NOAA said that 2013 was the fourth warmest year recorded.

NASA studies indicate that more carbon dioxide currently exists in Earth’s atmosphere than any other time in the past 800,000 years. Carbon dioxide levels in 2013 were recorded at a high of 400 parts per million.

Image: Power plant emissions (Credit: EPA)