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Environment & Energy

hatrack

(59,584 posts)

5. Also, the Keeling Curve (seasonality) . . .

Reply to in2herbs (Reply #4)

Wed Apr 8, 2020, 05:45 PM

Apr 2020

What Dave Keeling discovered back in the late 1950s is that the Earth "breathes" in and out seasonally.

CO2 rises and falls in synch with the vegetation cycle in the Northern Hemisphere, where the overwhelming majority of land (and plants) are. We're approaching the peak for 2020, likely mid-May, with the annual low coming in October.

Apologies if you're already familiar with this!

https://www.climate.gov/news-features/videos/keeling-curve-carbon-dioxide-levels-becomes-chemical-landmark

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March 2020 Atmospheric CO2 Content: 414.50 ppm; March 2019 411.97 ppm; March 2018 409.41 ppm [View all] hatrack Apr 2020 OP

If humans vanished, the planet would likely repair itself. lapfog_1 Apr 2020 #1

With less air, vehicle traffic because of COVID I don't understand why the numbers did not go down. in2herbs Apr 2020 #2

Releases of carbon from natural sources continue, seasonal cycle, still lots of industry running hatrack Apr 2020 #3

Thank you. This helps my understanding and global warming commitment. in2herbs Apr 2020 #4

Also, the Keeling Curve (seasonality) . . . hatrack Apr 2020 #5

No, I wasn't familiar with that either. I've spent most of my life outside, about 8-10 or more in2herbs Apr 2020 #6

thanks but... Finishline42 Apr 2020 #7

On balance, no. Naturally there are variations (monthly and annual) . . . hatrack Apr 2020 #8