CO2 Concentration
Global warming is a hot topic these days. One of the factors that may explain increases
in global temperatures is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Is there
a relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global
temperatures?
Data Collection: Annual atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations measured as
parts per million by volume (ppmv) are derived from air samples collected at Mauna Loa
Observatory in Hawaii. Additionally the annual average global temperatures (degrees
Celsius) are recorded.
A random sample of 20 years is selected from the last 60 years worth of data.
Who? 20 years.
What? Annual average global temperature (o C) – numerical
Annual atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (ppmv) – numerical
Year CO2 Temp Year CO2 Temp Year CO2 Temp Year CO2 Temp
1965 320.03 13.85 1972 327.46 13.95 1981 339.93 14.40 1991 355.59 14.44
1966 321.37 13.92 1973 329.68 14.18 1984 344.42 14.15 1993 357.04 14.19
1968 323.05 13.91 1974 330.25 13.94 1986 347.15 14.19 1996 362.64 14.39
1970 325.68 14.04 1977 333.90 14.16 1987 348.93 14.35 1999 368.31 14.46
1971 326.32 13.90 1979 336.85 14.14 1989 352.91 14.26 2002 373.10 14.69
• Is there a relationship between atmospheric CO2 and global temperature?
• If there is a relationship is it linear? How strong is it?
• In 2007, the annual atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was 382.43 ppmv.
Based on this value, what would you predict for the annual average global
temperature in 2007?
13.5
14.0
14.5
15.0
Temp
300 350 400
CO2
1