Carbon dioxide and temperature - historic trends on climate change

Historical trends in carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature, on a geological and recent time scale

Click on the image above for high resolution view

By studying past changes in the global climate, we can increase our knowledge about changes in our current, and future, climate. On a geological time scale, the history from ice cores tells us that ice ages and warm periods are closely linked to changes in the global carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere. In our more recent history, we can see that the concentrations have increased rapidly, and indications show that temperatures are rising as well.

Layout with multiple charts and explanatory text prepared for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report Global Outlook for Ice and Snow, published in 2007. The charts were used as a fundamental background and overview piece, and were featured on the back inside cover of the publication.

To assemble the chart, a number of different scientific data sources were assembled and harmonized to match in the layout, with the same scales and level of detail.

To prepare this map, the data was prepared in Microsoft Excel, Golden Software Grapher, and finally in Adobe Illustrator.

For more information, downloads and full data sources, please refer to:

Do you need powerful, clear and good-looking illustrations?

Nordpil specializes in creating the best maps, charts and diagrams for high-profile publications, please contact us and describe your needs, and we will get back to you with a quote.

Would you like to learn how to prepare better maps, charts and diagrams?

In our training workshops you will learn about the theory about creating powerful visual material based on scientific data and statistics, and we discuss and deconstruct examples from recent publications, news and your work. Read more on our workshop pages.