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Climate Change Science:�Carbon Dioxide Introduction

Richard B. Rood

January 2019

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Glimpse in the Climate Change Problem

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Changes in Carbon Dioxide

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Observed Increase of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Data and more information

Primary increase comes from burning fossil fuels – coal, oil, natural gas

Animation for last 800,000 k years

The Economist

on 400 ppm

Discussion of this figure: What is in the figure? Time that it started. What are the reasons for choosing Mauna Loa? Isolated, but what about it being a volcano? . How representative is this of the globe. What are the assumptions or scientific reasons that support the argument that this figure is representative of global conditions? How are these measurements made? What is the role of a “model,” in making the measurement? What is the reason for the shorter term (annual) oscillation? How would you expect the oscillation to change with latitude/location? If the measurement is extended back in time, where do the measure data come from? How does the uncertainty vary with regard to the measurement? Again, how do science-methodology and models play into the measurements. What does this curve suggest to you about our ability to reduce carbon dioxide emissions? If the climate is warming, what are some of the changes you would expect in this curve? Looking back for 800,000 years – well, what do you think about our ability to do this?

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More Recent Trend

First surpassed 400 ppm�in May 2013

Jan 2017: 406 ppm

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The yearly cycle �of CO₂

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Another view of CO₂ increase

Global Carbon Project

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Some questions?

Are the Mauna Loa observations representative? Adequate?
How does CO₂ vary with latitude?
How does CO₂ vary over the years?
Have we done anything to substantially avoid CO₂ emissions?
How do we get this information?