The Keeling Curve
San Diego, San Diego County, California
Marker Inscription
ACS Chemistry for Life (R) National Historic Chemical Landmark The Keeling Curve Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California In 1958, Charles David Keeling (1928-2005) of Scripps Institution of Oceanography began a cooperative pogram for the study of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) at the newly estabilished Mauna Loa Observatory of the U.S. Weather Bureau and other sites around the world. By 1960, Keeling revealed two significant findings, reporting the first quantitative estimate of Earth's natural seasonal CO2 oscillations while also discovering a steady annual increase in CO2, the most significant greenhouse gas contributing to global climate change. Keeling advanced our understanding of mankind's impact on Earth by linking fossil fuel emissions to rising levels of CO2. His dedication to continuous and accurate measurements enabled these data to become an unequivocal record of the global rise in CO2 and an icon of atmospheric science. American Chemical Society June 12, 2015
Erected by American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks
The Story
In 1958, Scripps scientist Charles David Keeling launched a program to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide from the newly built Mauna Loa Observatory and other sites worldwide. Within two years his data revealed both the Earth's natural seasonal CO2 rhythm and — more consequentially — a steady, relentless annual rise, which he linked to the burning of fossil fuels. His insistence on continuous, precise measurement turned the resulting Keeling Curve into one of the defining records of modern science.
Why it matters
Keeling's measurements gave the world its first unequivocal evidence of human-driven climate change, reshaping science, policy, and how humanity sees its own footprint.
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Related people
- · Charles David Keeling
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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