Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and global temperatures
(Fig. 15) and an increase in average global land and ocean temperatures (Fig. 16). As atmospheric CO2
Analyse the graphs below. You will see a relationship between rising global CO2 levels have increased, global temperatures have also increased.
1.0 levels
CO2 (ppm)
cC Temp
-1.0 Fig. 15 Levels of atmospheric CO2 1950–2011.
Fig. 16 Changes in average global land and ocean surface temperatures, 1850–2012.
Studying climate change The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an organisation made up of over 3,000 scientists worldwide. These scientists gather and assess information about climate change from around the world and publish their findings in reports.
“Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system. Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.”
Extract from an IPCC report Fig. 17 Computer-simulated climate model. 436
Climate models Climate models have been developed by scientists to predict what the climate on Earth will be like in the future. Scientists use data, mathematical equations and computer programmes to develop these models.
