Earth had its hottest decade on record in 2010s

The decade that just ended was by far the hottest ever measured on Earth, capped off by the second-warmest year on record, two U.S. agencies reported Wednesday. And scientists said they see no end to the way man-made climate change keeps shattering records.

Section:Gallery

Wed., Jan. 15, 2020

In this Nov. 1, 2019, photo, flames from a backfire consume a hillside as firefighters battle the Maria Fire in Santa Paula, Calif. The decade that just ended was by far the hottest ever measured on Earth, capped off by the second-warmest year on record, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

Noah Berger Associated Press
In this July 18, 2019, photo, a boy plays in a fountain to cool off as temperatures approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) in Kansas City, Mo. The decade that just ended was by far the hottest ever measured on Earth, capped off by the second-warmest year on record, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

Charlie Riedel Associated Press
In this Dec. 21, 2019, photo, NSW Rural Fire Service crews fight the Gospers Mountain Fire as it impacts a structure at Bilpin, Australia. The decade that just ended was by far the hottest ever measured on Earth, capped off by the second-warmest year on record, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

Dan Himbrechts Aap Images
In this May 14, 2016, photo, boys on their way to play cricket walk through a dried patch of Chandola Lake in Ahmadabad, India. The decade that just ended was by far the hottest ever measured on Earth, capped off by the second-warmest year on record, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

Ajit Solanki Associated Press
In this Aug. 16, 2019, file photo, large icebergs float away as the sun rises near Kulusuk, Greenland. The decade that just ended was by far the hottest ever measured on Earth, capped off by the second-warmest year on record, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

Felipe Dana Ap