2003 and 2002 Tied as Second-Warmest Years on Record

The past two years tied as the second-warmest years on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Global temperatures for both years averaged 1.01 degrees Fahrenheit (0.56 degrees Celsius) above the long-term average. The warmest year on record was 1998, when average global temperatures hit 1.13 degrees Fahrenheit (0.63 degrees Celsius) above the long-term average. See the annual review of global temperatures on NOAA's National Climatic Data Center Web site.

In a series of announcements over the past three years, President Bush has acknowledged the long-term challenge of global climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In early 2003, DOE launched Climate VISION (Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now), a Presidential public-private partnership to help meet the President's goal of reducing greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent in 10 years. In December, DOE launched a new Climate VISION Web site, which includes President Bush's statements regarding climate change.

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