Climate change
The average temperature is increasing
Since the end of the 19th century, the average temperature in the world has increased by just over one degree. This is considered by researchers to be a large-scale, rapid increase. Measurements also show that this temperature increase has been more rapid in the last 50 years. In some parts of the world the temperature has increased by considerably more than one degree and in other parts by less.
In Sweden, the temperature increase has been greater than in many other places on earth. This has meant, among other things, more annual precipitation and also less snow and ice during the winter. The growing season has been extended and periods of heat have become more and more intense.
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The Swedish Metrological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI, has produced a report on climate change in Sweden 1860-2021 (In Swedish).
Learn more about the future climate with the help of the SMHI climate scenario service (In Swedish).
Climate change is caused by humans
The UN climate panel IPCC has determined that humans are behind the rapid climate changes we are now seeing. The main cause is emissions of carbon dioxide from oil, coal, gas and other fossil energy sources as these drive the greenhouse effect. Deforestation and how we use the land may also exert a negative impact on the climate.
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The main conclusions of the IPCC's latest report have been translated into Swedish on the SMHI website (In Swedish).
Read the report in its entirety (English).
Risks in society are increasing
It is not possible to state with certainty that any single extreme weather event we see today in Sweden or anywhere else in the world is due to climate change. On the other hand, researchers' calculations show that the risk of heat waves, drought, heavy rainfall and several other types of extreme weather increases in a warmer climate - something that in turn may lead to, for example, more forest fires and floods. Some extreme weather events that have occurred in recent years have been judged as extremely unlikely if it were not for climate warming. These extreme events may also affect the availability of food and drinking water and increase the risk of disease and infections.
Sources of this page: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, SMHI and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
