Timeline of Climate Change

In 1896 Svante Arrhenius constructs the first climate model of the influence of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).

In 1960 a curve developed by American climate scientist Charles David Keeling begins to track atmospheric CO2 concentrations. CO2 concentration in 1960 ≈ 315 parts per million (ppm).

In 1957 Roger Revelle and Hans E. Suess write that “human beings are now carrying out a large scale geophysical experiment” in a paper examining CO2 uptake by the oceans.

During the 1930s Milutin Milankovitch publishes “Mathematical Climatology and the Astronomical Theory of Climatic Changes” to explain the causes of Earth’s ice ages.

In 1974 the first evidence of chlorine chemicals being involved in ozone depletion is published.

The Keeling Curve: CO2 concentration in 1980 ≈ 337 ppm.

In 1990 the first Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report notes the pattern of past warming while signaling that future warming is likely.

The Keeling Curve: CO2 concentration in 2000 ≈ 367 ppm.

In 1997 the Kyoto Protocol is created with the intent to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from industrialized countries. The U.S., the largest GHG emitter at the time, does not sign on.

In 1992 the United Nations conference in Rio de Janeiro creates the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In 2006 China becomes the world’s largest GHG emitter.

In 2005 the Kyoto Protocol goes into effect. All major industrialized countries sign on except the U.S.

In 2001 the third IPCC report notes that warming resulting from GHG emissions has become very likely.

In 2019, UK first country to pass net zero emissions law

In 2015 the Paris Agreement (which replaces the Kyoto Protocol) is adopted by nearly 200 countries, including the U.S. Its goal is to limit global warming to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

The Keeling Curve: CO2 concentration in 2013 ≈ 400 ppm.

Canada withdraws from the Kyoto Protocol in 2011.

In 2021 the sixth IPCC report notes unequivocally that human activity has brought widespread and rapid changes to the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

In 2023, COP28 was organised at Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The goal set here was fast-tracking the energy transition and slashing emissions before 2030

2024!! Present....