The Keeling Curve Hits 420 PPM

Robert MonroeMost Popular, Videos

Levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide eclipsed 420 parts per million for the first time in human history in 2021. Scripps Institution of Oceanography updated this animation, which explains the rise of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere over the past 300 years and the measurement our researchers collect at Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, known as the Keeling Curve. When … Read More

Animation of Keeling Curve History Updated to Include 2019 Milestone

Robert MonroeKeeling Curve History, Videos

We’ve updated the animation of the Keeling Curve to include recent measurements and the surpassing of a new milestone: Global carbon dioxide levels in the global atmosphere as measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii surpassed  415 parts per million of carbon dioxide in May. Higher resolution versions are available through scrippsnews@ucsd.edu.  

Video: How Scientists Measure Carbon Dioxide

Robert MonroeKeeling Curve History, Measurement Notes, Videos

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Keeling Curve, Ralph Keeling of the Scripps CO2 Program shows how scientists make carbon dioxide measurements and gives a guided tour of the original instruments his father, Charles David Keeling, developed to start the famous record known as the Keeling Curve. In 2018, carbon dioxide levels are expected to exceed 410 parts … Read More

Video: Charles Keeling (1928-2005) and NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory

Robert MonroeVideos

This short video produced by NOAA tells the story of how Charles David Keeling of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, worked with scientists from the U.S. Weather Bureau and NOAA at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory to create what is now an iconic record of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The measurements of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere taken … Read More

Video: The Keeling Curve Turns 50

Robert MonroeVideos

This 2008 film made for the 50th anniversary of the Keeling Curve features interview footage with the measurement’s creator Charles David Keeling originally filmed for the 2004 Finnish documentary “The Venus Theory.”