2013 marks a year of countless climate and energy-related records for the United States. The release of the Fifth IPCC Assessment report this year noted that, for the first time, scientists are virtually certain (99-100% confident) that humans have caused warming in the global climate system. Human-induced alterations to the climate have resulted in many devastating record-breaking weather events. Some of these include extreme precipitation levels that caused catastrophic flooding across the country, extraordinary drought conditions in California caused by never-before high temperatures and low rainfall levels, and tornados and wildfires that are unmatched in their size and impact. Climate Central published an excellent infographic on the United States’ “Climate by the Numbers” for 2013.

Boulder Flooding, Sept 2013.

However, at the same time that emissions of carbon dioxide have caused climate-related disasters at unprecedented levels, human efforts have also led to astonishing breakthroughs and major technology innovations.

In many regions across the United States, energy from renewable sources became cost-competitive with fossil fuels. A solar photovoltaic panel now costs as little as $0.64 per watt, encouraging thousands of businesses and homeowners to install systems and generate clean, affordable electricity. In addition to technologies becoming less expensive, they are now smarter, safer, and more efficient than ever before. All of these breakthroughs help in the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Ideally, as we continue to innovate in clean energy technologies, our impact on climate change will lessen, and we will experience fewer record-breaking climate events.

Featured image courtesy of Principle Power.