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PAESTA Podcast Series: Episode 1 - How Do We Know CO2 is Increasing?

Atmospheric CO2 at Mauna Loa Observatory

You Asked, We Answered!

Transcript for the podcast

We know that atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide have been increasing because we have the data! The story of collecting CO2 data begins in 1958, when a geochemist from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Dr. Charles Keeling, started collecting measurements of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at an observatory located over 11,000 feet in elevation on the Mauna Loa volcano on the big island of Hawaii. These systematic measurements Dr. Keeling started have become the most widely recognized record of human impact on Earth, linking rising levels of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels to the warming of the planet.

You may have driven by several of these, but this image provides us a unique perspective from the air of one of the many refineries located along the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

Refinery along the Delaware River

The city of Philadelphia has just joined the bike share movement. Indego, sponsored by Independence Blue Cross, features 60+ stations located across Philadelphia in Center City and parts of North, South, and West Philadelphia.

Bike share program comes to Philadelphia

This photo was taken during a program offered by the Tiadaghton State Forest staff, titled "Marcellus Shale and Natural Gas Development on Pennsylvania State Forest Lands."  The program was part of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers Eastern Section Conference.  This is one of several freshwater retention ponds that holds millions of gallons of water in the Tiadaghton State Forest.  The bottom of the pond is lined with a material containing sensors that send an alert signal if a tear develops somewhere in the lining.  Visit the PA DCNR website to learn more about Natural Gas Development and State Forests.

Freshwater impoundment in Tiadaghton State Forest

This landmark was created by Heinz Warneke in 1940, from a 13-ton block of Indiana Limestone.  The Nittany Lion, Penn State's mascot since 19077, was officially recognized when the statue was presented as a gift to the University in 1942 by the class of 1940.  It is located near the Nittany Lion Inn and the Recreation Building ("Rec Hall") at the Penn State University Park campus in State College, PA.

Nittany Lion Shrine

Winter 2015 has had its share of days with below freezing temperatures, ice, snow, and freezing rain.  But some of the moments in the early morning sun show the beauty of this season.  This photo was taken on the historic Davis Estate along Rocky Run in Media, PA.

Winter scene at a stream

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