Transcript:
On the Big Island of Hawaii, a handful of low buildings sit on the side of a volcano, two miles above sea level.
This remote outpost is one of the most important climate change research sites in the world – the Mauna Loa Observatory.
For nearly 70 years, with almost no break, scientists there have measured the amount of carbon dioxide in the air – creating the world’s longest running direct record of atmospheric CO2.
As people burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere. It traps heat like a blanket, warming the planet.
At Mauna Loa, scientists have found that carbon dioxide levels have risen from less than 320 parts per million in the 1950s to over 420 parts per million today.
Mauna Loa is an ideal spot to study how the atmosphere is changing. Its high altitude and remote location help ensure that the measurements are not influenced by local pollution.
So for decades, climate scientists have relied on the Mauna Loa data. And keeping these measurements going without interruption is critical for monitoring and understanding how people are influencing the climate.
Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media
