Question

Because Charles David Keeling and his new colleagues began measuring CO2 in 1958, we now have an excellent record of how CO2 concentrations have changed in the atmosphere over time. From 1960 to 2010, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere increased from 320 to 390 ppm (parts per million).
Based on these two points in time, what has been the average annual increase of CO2 in the atmosphere?

Time = 2010 - 1960 = 50 years

Increase in CO2 = 390 ppm - 320 ppm = 70 ppm

Average annual increase in CO2 = 70 ppm / 50 years = 1.4 ppm/year


1. If the annual rate of CO2 increase is 1.4 ppm, wht concentration of CO2 do you predict for the year 2100?

2. From 2000 to 2010, the rate of increase grew to 1.9 ppm per year. Based on this faster rate, what concentration of CO2 do you predict for the year 2100?

Answer 1

Answer:

1. 516 ppm; 2. 561 ppm

Step-by-step explanation:

1. CO₂ increase at old rate

Time = 2100 - 2010 = 90 years

Increase in CO₂ = 90 yr × (1.4 ppm/1 yr) = 126 ppm

CO₂ in 2010 = 390 + 126 = 516 ppm

At the old rate, the CO₂ concentration in 2100 will be 516 ppm.

2. CO₂ increase at new rate

Time = 2100 - 2010 = 90 years

Increase in CO₂ = 90 yr × (1.9 ppm/1 yr) = 171 ppm

CO₂ in 2010 = 390 + 171 = 561 ppm

At the new rate, the CO₂ concentration in 2100 will be 561 ppm.