Facts about Climate Change

• Average global temperatures increased by about 1 degree Celsius over the 20th century.
• The United States contains only 5 percent of the world's population, but contributes 22 percent of the world's carbon emissions.
• 15 percent of carbon emissions come from deforestation and land use change.
• The Golden Toad (Bufo periglenes) is thought to be the first species to go extinct because of climate change.
• Personal cars and trucks in the United States emit 20 percent of the United States' carbon emissions.
• Air conditioning and heating account for almost half of electricity use in the average American home.
• Climate change is linked to stronger hurricanes, more drought and increased coral deaths from bleaching.
• Climate change is linked to an increase in disease-carrying pests that lead to the increased spread of diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, lyme disease and West Nile virus.