A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Made Climate History, But Trump Wants It Gone - CleanTechnica

The Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, established in 1958 at an elevation of 3,397 meters, has played a pivotal role in climate science by providing continuous, high-quality measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Its location—remote, high-altitude, and influenced by air currents from across the Northern Hemisphere—makes it ideal for monitoring global greenhouse gas levels without local pollution interference. The data collected here led to the creation of the Keeling Curve, named after Charles David Keeling, which graphically demonstrates the steady rise of CO2 over the past seven decades due to fossil fuel combustion and land use changes. This curve has been fundamental in confirming the human contribution to climate change. Today, the observatory’s measurements are maintained by NOAA and supported by institutions such as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Schmidt Sciences, Earth Networks, and the National Science Foundation. The observatory has facilitated hundreds of research collaborations worldwide and remains a critical resource for understanding atmospheric CO2 dynamics