Proposed budget cuts to NOAA are threatening a decades-long effort to track carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, a vital indicator of climate change. Charles David Keeling began meticulously measuring atmospheric CO2 in the 1950s, establishing the Keeling Curve, which clearly demonstrates the increasing concentration of the gas. His work provided critical early evidence of the link between human activity and global warming.
Keeling's son, also a scientist, expressed deep concern that the proposed cuts would force NOAA to scale back or even eliminate these crucial measurements. The data collected not only tracks the overall increase in CO2 but also reveals seasonal variations and regional differences, providing valuable insights for climate models and policy decisions.
"These long-term datasets are invaluable for understanding the complex dynamics of the climate system," he stated. "Disrupting them would be a major setback for climate science and our ability to respond effectively to the challenges of a warming planet."
Advocates for the cuts argue that NOAA can prioritize other areas of research. However, many scientists contend that long-term monitoring of CO2 is fundamental to all other climate-related research. The potential loss of this data has sparked widespread concern within the scientific community, highlighting the importance of sustained funding for climate observation programs.
NOAA Budget Cuts Could Jeopardize Key Climate Change Data
Proposed budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are raising concerns about the future of long-term carbon dioxide monitoring. These measurements, started by Charles David Keeling decades ago, provide crucial data on the impact of CO2 on global warming. Scientists warn that halting or reducing this data collection would significantly hinder our understanding of climate change. Keeling's son argues these cuts threaten essential scientific research.
Source: Read the original article at CBS