2012 – Top 10 hottest year in recorded history!

According to four different independent studies, last year was among the 10 hottest years on record. Two countries, Argentina and the United States, experienced their hottest years EVER!

And you thought we were making progress on the global warming front. Not enough progress, it appears.

Let’s take a look at some of 2012’s not-so-stellar highlights:

The ice caps continued to melt at a frightening rate, roughly twice that of lower latitudes. Why? Well, ocean heat, for starters. Heat contained in the upper 2,000 feet of the ocean remained near record highs in 2012. The biggest increases from last year occurred between depths of 2,300 and 6,600 feet.

After a 30-year stretch of increasing sea surface temperatures, the global average in 2012 was among the 11 warmest on record. This is due, in part, to the prevalence of superstorms plaguing the 21st century and disrupting ocean currents.

Meanwhile, the sea itself reached a record high level. Globally, levels have been steadily rising at an average rate of 3.2 ± 0.4 mm per year since 1990. So unless we take drastic action, 2013's sea levels will be higher still. A new record.

Continuing a trend that started back in 2004, ocean selenic concentrations were up in areas of high evaporation, including the central tropical North Pacific, suggesting that evaporation is escalating in drier environments. That's less and less drinking water that will be available in the future.

Greenhouse gases, including methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, continued to climb following a slight dip associated with 2011’s economic downturn. Increased efficiency standards have proven fruitless so far, so until we learn to curb overall consumption habits, government regulations will never succeed.

Last year, a total of 84 tropical cyclones ravaged various parts of planet Earth. Sound like a lot? It’s not. In fact, it’s just about average. But what the numbers don’t reflect is that these storms are growing more severe. They’re lasting longer. Traveling further. Causing more damage and ruining more lives.

Hopefully, by scrutinizing our environmental record, we can ensure 2013 doesn't negatively contribute to the history books!

Join NRGLab in the energy revolution.

The Evolution of Energy Consumption

Although little has changed for energy in terms of overall per capita consumption, the industry and our infrastructure have evolved significantly over the past several decades.

Improved insulation materials and instillation techniques, as well as an array of other efficiency upgrades, have made climate management considerably less intense. Homes are staying warmer in the winter. Cooler in the summer. At virtually no increased cost to the consumer!

People tend to think that cooling a house costs more than warming it, when in fact it’s the opposite! Heating actually uses MORE energy. 85% of American households feature either gas or electric-powered climate systems.

Energy consumption also varies by region. For example, in the United States, coastal cities consume much less energy (per capita) compared to the rest of the country. Electricity is now the “fuel of choice” in the South, a trend which is expected to continue as more of the population migrates that way.

This may not be the best solution when it comes time to pay your bills. Electric heating is a MAJOR energy guzzler. Electric dishwashers, water heaters, and clothes washers and dryers are just a few of the high wattage items responsible for your rising utility costs.

Unfortunately, wattage is a misleading standard by which to judge energy consumption. Some items you don’t use that often. Others require less electricity than low-wattage items you might leave on all day.

Plus, we can’t stop buying gizmos and gadgets! No matter how much we reduce our consumption by, our progress is canceled out by the new appliances we purchase. We have four different cell phones plugged into a single outlet. We have desktop computers. Laptops. Tablets.

Is there no end?!?

It's one thing to cut down on our personal energy consumption – it’s another to begin solving the problem at a fundamental level.

NRGLab is helping the world get a handle on energy consumption. For more information, visit nrglab.aisa.