The Antarctic ice-core plot of carbon dioxide (ppm) shows peaks and valleys at about the same times as the temperature plot has peaks and valleys, over 400,000 years. What can we conclude based on this fact alone?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the Antarctic ice-core plot of carbon dioxide (ppm) shows peaks and valleys at about the same times as the temperature plot has peaks and valleys over 400,000 years indicates that there is a correlation between the carbon dioxide concentration and the average temperature. However, this correlation alone does not provide evidence for causation. It could be that a third variable, such as solar radiation, is driving both the changes in carbon dioxide concentration and temperature.

The Antarctic Ice-Core Plot of Carbon Dioxide (Ppm) Shows Peaks