Industrialisation & Increased Carbon Dioxide
- Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have fluctuated throughout Earth's history due to events such as volcanic eruptions and the weathering of limestone rocks
- Scientists know this from having analysed the gas composition of bubbles formed in ancient ice cores
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have fluctuated throughout earth’s history, but recent increases have been faster and higher than ever before (ppmv = parts per million by volume)
- Since the industrial revolution, however, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have risen to their highest in Earth's history
- Prior to the industrial revolution, the highest atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was around 300 parts per million (ppm), and it is currently above 400 ppm
- The industrial revolution began in the late 1700s, when the combustion of fossil fuels to power factories, transport, and homes became commonplace
- Fossil fuel combustion releases carbon dioxide
- A clear correlation can be seen between increasing levels of carbon dioxide since the industrial revolution and increasing global temperatures
- Early data on global temperatures can be found using climate indicators such as tree growth and soil cores
There is a correlation between increasing carbon dioxide levels since the start of the industrial revolution and increasing global temperatures