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Joseph Fourier
Mathematician Joseph Fourier said that Earth's atmosphere acts like a greenhouse, trapping heat. I chose this because his idea that the Earth's atmosphere acts like an insulator is the first formulation of what we now call the greenhouse effect. Fourier calculated that an object the size of the Earth, with its distance from the Sun, should be much colder than the planet actually is if warmed by only the effects of incoming solar radiation (https://climatehistory.org/the-greenhouse-effect.) -
John Tyndall
Irish physicist John Tyndall was able to identify the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor as contributors to Earth's natural greenhouse effect. I chose this because this identification became a big step, he used long-wave infrared radiation, to measure, understand and explain the greenhouse effect in terms of the absorption and radiation of heat by these gases.
(https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/who-discovered-greenhouse-effect.) -
Charles Davis Keeling
At Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, Charles David Keeling begins taking continuous measurements of atmospheric CO2. I chose this because Keeling's research offers significant proof that the atmospheric CO2 level is rising, which is a major factor in anthropogenic climate change. A fundamental concept in climate science is the Keeling Curve.
(https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ac1001492) -
The First Earth Day!!
The first Earth Day was just now created and observed as necessary, bringing environmental concerns, such as climate change, to the attention of the general public. I chose this event because Earth Day significantly influenced government policies and research funding by mobilizing popular support for environmental preservation and climate action.
(https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/april-22/#:~:text=Earth%20Day) -
IPCC Establishment
The United Nations created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). I chose this because the IPCC assumes a leading role in evaluating climate science, compiling research findings, and advising decision-makers. Our comprehension of anthropogenic climate change is helped greatly because of its reports.
(https://www.interacademies.org/organization/intergovernmental-panel-climate-change-ipcc) -
NOAA's Global Temperature Dataset
The Global Surface Temperature Analysis dataset was this year made public by NOAA. I chose this because this dataset was able to enhance NASA GISTEMP and other datasets, and contribute to the confirmation of global warming's existence and its connection to human activity. It is an important tool for studying climate change, and was a revolutionary measurement technique.
(https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/noaa-global-temp) -
Paris Agreement
Countries agree to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as part of the Paris Agreement. I chose this because the Paris Agreement symbolizes a global agreement to combat climate change. In order to lessen the effects of anthropogenic climate change, it emphasizes the importance of cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
(https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement) -
CO2 Over 400ppm
This was the highest level carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in millions of years. I chose this because the extreme drought in the Western United States was a severely needed (however sad) wake up call for many. -
IPCC Sixth Assessment Report
The IPCC publishes its Sixth Assessment Report, concluding beyond a doubt that human activity has caused global warming. I chose this because this study emphasizes the necessity of immediate and significant mitigation actions while reiterating the general consensus regarding human-induced climate change. It is an essential resource for decision-makers and the international community. It made it clear we needed to take action.