Final answer:
The Keeling Curve is a graph that shows the continuous upward trend of atmospheric CO2 levels measured at Mauna Loa, with a significant increase from pre-industrial levels, closely linked to global warming.
Step-by-step explanation:
The curve that describes the increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) since 1958, measured atop Mauna Loa, Hawaii is known as the Keeling Curve. Initially recorded by Dave Keeling, the curve exhibits a constant upward trend indicating a year-by-year increase in atmospheric CO2 levels, currently at about 2.6 ppm per year. The curve also reflects seasonal variations due to the process of photosynthesis but shows an alarming rise from pre-industrial levels of approximately 280 ppm to current levels which have added about 130 ppm.
Historical data from ice cores and recent measurements provide evidence that this rise in CO2 concentrations is unprecedented over the past 700,000 years. The industrial revolution has marked a significant turning point in atmospheric CO2 as levels have soared well beyond historical natural variations, largely due to the burning of fossil fuels. This increase in CO2 is closely linked with the rise in global temperatures, supporting the direct relationship between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and global warming.