Published on Pew Center on Global Climate Change (http://pewclimate.org)

Home > Printer-friendly

2B. Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide & Global Surface Temperature Trends

The recent increase in concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the result of human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels. As the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased, so has the average surface temperature of the earth.

The relationship between atmospheric CO2 concentration and surface temperature is shown here for the past 150 years. To see this relationship over the past 400,000 years, go to figure 2C [1]. To understand how this relationship works, view figure 1A [2].

CO2 and Temp Trends


Go to Figure 2C [1]

Back to Observed Temperature & Greenhouse Gas Trends Home [3]

Back to Facts and Figures Home [4]

Source URL: http://pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/facts_and_figures/temp_ghg_trends/co2_and_temp.cfm

Links:
[1] http://pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/facts_and_figures/temp_ghg_trends/longco2temp.cfm
[2] http://pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/facts_and_figures/climate_science_basics/ghe.cfm
[3] http://pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/facts_and_figures/temp_ghg_trends
[4] http://pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/facts_and_figures