Global Climate Change: The Keeling Curve Is Derived From Atm

Global Climate Change the Keeling Curve Is Derived From Atmospheric D

Global Climate Change The “Keeling Curve” is derived from atmospheric data obtained over the last 50 years. What does this data and graph suggest about the nature of the atmosphere since the 1960s? Additionally, researchers have utilized a host of other data sources to predict future global temperature changes. Use scholarly sources to discuss some of the various predictions in global temperature that researchers have estimated will take place in the future. Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length.

Support your claims with at least two scholarly resources in addition to your text. Properly cite any references in APA format and respond to at least two of your classmates’ initial posts by Day 7. For information regarding APA format, visit the Ashford Writing Center, which is located within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Reference the Grading Rubric for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Paper For Above instruction

The Keeling Curve, a fundamental graphical representation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, has been instrumental in illustrating the increase in greenhouse gases since the 1960s. Derived from continuous measurements taken at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, the curve demonstrates a clear upward trend in atmospheric CO₂ concentrations over the past fifty years. This trend suggests that human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly contributed to rising greenhouse gas levels, fundamentally altering the natural composition of the atmosphere. The seasonal fluctuations observed within the Keeling Curve correspond to natural plant growth cycles, but the overall upward trajectory clearly indicates a persistent accumulation of CO₂, contributing to global warming and climate change (Keeling et al., 1976).

In addition to the Keeling Curve, researchers have employed multiple data sources, including ice core samples, satellite observations, and climate models, to project future global temperature changes. These models consistently predict an ongoing increase in global temperatures, with estimates varying depending on emission scenarios. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (2021), under high emission scenarios, global temperatures could rise by approximately 2.7°C by the end of the 21st century. Climate models also suggest that intensifying heatwaves, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events will become more prevalent as global temperatures continue to climb (IPCC, 2021).

Scholarly projections also include the possibility of reaching or exceeding critical thresholds that could trigger irreversible climate tipping points, such as the melting of the Arctic ice sheet or destabilization of the Amazon rainforest. These predictions highlight the urgency for substantial mitigation efforts, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable energy sources, to limit future warming. Overall, the Keeling Curve not only documents the historical rise in atmospheric CO₂ but also underscores the pressing need for global action to address ongoing climate change and mitigate its future impacts.

References

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press.
  • Keeling, C. D., Piper, S. C., & Whorf, T. P. (1976). Atmospheric carbon dioxide variations at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii. Tellus, 28(6), 538-551.
  • O’Neill, B. C., et al. (2017). The scenario model intercomparison project (ScenMP)—synthesizing climate and socio-economic pathways. Nature Climate Change, 7(4), 245-253.
  • IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
  • Joos, F., et al. (2013). Carbon dioxide and climate impulse response functions for the popular Earth system model of intermediate complexity OSCAR. Geoscientific Model Development, 6(4), 1053-1071.
  • Friedlingstein, P., et al. (2020). Global Carbon Budget 2020. Earth System Science Data, 12(4), 3269–3340.
  • Riahi, K., et al. (2017). The Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and their energy, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions implications: An overview. Global Environmental Change, 42, 153-167.
  • Van Vuuren, D. P., et al. (2011). The representative concentration pathways: An overview. Climatic Change, 109(1-2), 5-31.
  • Masson-Delmotte, V., et al. (2018). Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report.
  • Hansen, J., et al. (2013). Assessing "dangerous human interference" with climate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(23), 11655-11660.

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