2015 was the hottest year on record, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. That breaks the record set in 2014, which had previously been the hottest year on record.

Not only was 2015 the planet’s hottest year since record keeping began (in 1880), it was the hottest year by a wide margin. Scientists have attributed this to climate change, with a boost from El Nino.

2015 was also the first time the Earth’s temperature registered at 1 degree Celsius warmer than pre-industrial times, an ominous warning sign since scientists have said that any warming above 2 degrees could mean serious trouble for the planet. More info>>