A Time Series Correlation Analysis Using the Keeling Curve as an Alternative Evaluation Method for Carbon Emission Modeling
Abstract
This study uses atmospheric CO2 concentration data (the Keeling Curve) as an alternative measurement of anthropogenic carbon emissions to test the relationship between environmental pressure and economic development. Using verified detrending procedures, no significant relationship is observed between global population growth and increases in atmospheric carbon concentration. Changes in world GDP, however, have a significant effect on CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. GDP per capita is also a strong indicator of the Keeling Curve. The use of the affluence level, GDP per capita, correlates to the environmental impact when the environmental pressure is altered to atmospheric CO2 concentration, even though population does not correlate with the Keeling Curve.