The Keeling Curve

The Keeling Curve is a graph that shows how the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere have changed over time, specifically since the late 1950s. Named after scientist Charles David Keeling, who began measuring CO2 at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, the curve rises steadily, revealing an alarming trend of increasing greenhouse gases. It reflects seasonal fluctuations, with levels dipping in summer when plants absorb CO2, but the overall trend is upward. This data highlights urgent concerns about climate change and its potential impacts on the environment and human life.