Atmospheric carbon dioxide variations at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii

ABSTRACT

The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii is reported for eight years (1964–1971) of a long term program to document the effects of the combustion of coal, petroleum, and natural gas on the distribution of CO₂ in the atmosphere. The new data, when combined with earlier data, indicate that the annual average CO₂ concentration rose 3.4% between 1959 and 1971. The rate of rise, however, has not been steady. In the mid-1960's it declined. Recently it has accelerated. Similar changes in rate have been observed at the South Pole and are evidently a global phenomenon.