The Keeling Curve

Hot.

The Keeling curve is the data plot used to keep track of the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  The Keeling curve data has been continuously collected from the top of Hawaii's Mauna Loa since 1958.  Prior to the industrial revolution atmospheric carbon dioxide levels had not reached above 300 ppm in over 500,000 years.  Climate scientists for years have found consensus on one point, that atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide in excess of 350 ppm will begin positive feedback loops that will place climate change, and more importantly, it's reversal, well out of our control.  Two weeks ago the Keeling curve crossed 400 ppm.

It is time to start preparing for drastic and irreversible environmental and climactic change.  

Bummer.

Photograph Courtesy of:

http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/eoc/special_topics/teach/sp_climate_change/p_keeling_curve