As the Trump administration threatens to gut NOAA’s research enterprise, the future of global carbon dioxide monitoring hangs in the balance. The accuracy of CO2 measurements relies on calibration and long-term observations that inform climate policy decisions worldwide.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have become an imperative number in understanding our planet’s future. The concentration of CO2 at 427.6 parts per million, as measured by the Mauna Loa Observatory, is a crucial piece of information that informs climate research and policy decisions worldwide.
Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas with the chemical formula CO2.
It is a natural component of the Earth's atmosphere, making up about 0.04% of its volume.
Carbon dioxide is produced by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.
It plays a crucial role in climate regulation, but excessive levels can lead to global warming and ocean acidification.
The average concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased from 280 ppm in pre-industrial times to over 415 ppm today.
For over two generations, scientists have tracked this vital sign using a continuous chain of observations stretching back to 1958. The ‘Keeling Curve‘ , maintained by Dave Keeling and now co-authored by his son Ralph Keeling, has provided critical insights into the Earth’s atmosphere. However, the program faces its most dire threat yet due to the current administration’s attacks on NOAA.
The Keeling Curve is a continuous record of the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth's atmosphere.
Since its inception in 1958, the curve has been steadily rising, with some fluctuations due to seasonal changes and natural events.
The data shows that 'CO2 levels have increased by over 40% since the Industrial Revolution' , primarily due to fossil fuel burning and land use changes.
This long-term record has become a crucial tool for scientists studying climate change and its impacts on our planet.
NOAA provides vital support for the carbon dioxide monitoring program through annual grants and in-kind services, such as staffing and facility maintenance. The agency’s research enterprise is at the center of global climate research, and cuts to NOAA would be catastrophic for the scientific community. If successful, this loss would spell the end of our ability to continuously update the ‘Keeling Curve’.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a US government agency responsible for understanding and protecting the environment.
Founded in 1970, NOAA focuses on weather forecasting, ocean conservation, and climate research.
With over 12,000 employees, NOAA operates a network of satellites, ships, and monitoring stations to collect data on weather patterns, sea levels, and marine life.
NOAA's mission is to provide critical information for the nation's economy, security, and public health.
The impact of a NOAA shutdown would be felt globally, as climate change is a worldwide problem that requires international cooperation. Global networks provide critical information on greenhouse gas levels, oceanic carbon sequestration, and land plant uptake. These observational networks are the factual basis for efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The accuracy of CO2 measurements relies on calibration, which is an ongoing process involving hundreds of groups using various analyzers. The ‘Scripps Institution of Oceanography‘ has played a crucial role in preparing tanks filled with known amounts of carbon dioxide and dispensing them to the community until 1995. However, if the current administration’s plans are realized, the climate change research community could soon be fully adrift.
Long-term observations can be fragile due to funding constraints. Many organizations prefer to support groundbreaking work rather than routine observations. The scientific pursuit of tracking atmospheric carbon dioxide levels requires patience, attention to detail, and a small community of dedicated researchers. Despite the ‘Keeling Curve‘ ‘s global importance, this has actually hindered funding, as environmental programs tend to focus on regional or disciplinary efforts.
The original Mauna Loa measurements were part of an international effort during the International Geophysical Year in 1957-1958. This massive undertaking led to numerous scientific discoveries and established many measurement programs worldwide. The ‘United States’ played a leading role in this cooperation, and NOAA was established in the 1970s to better understand the world’s oceans and atmosphere.
The fate of carbon dioxide monitoring hangs in the balance as the Trump administration contemplates gutting NOAA‘s research enterprise. Our colleagues at NOAA are living day-to-day, uncertain about their future. We pray that common sense will prevail and that NOAA will be spared the worst. The preservation of our ability to measure carbon dioxide levels is a small bulwark against climate science’s new dark age.
