Question

Global Warming If we find that there is a linear correlation between the concentration of carbon dioxide (\(C{O_2}\)) in our atmosphere and the global mean temperature, does that indicate that changes in (\(C{O_2}\))cause changes in the global mean temperature? Why or why not?

Short answer

No, it does not indicate that change in \(C{O_2}\) causes change in global mean temperature.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The two variables are: concentration of \(C{O_2}\) and global mean temperature. The two have a linear correlation between them.

Describe correlation between two variables

Linear correlation between two variables implies that one variable changes with the change in another variable in a linear manner, which can be described by a linear line.

The association does not implythat one variable causes change in the other. It is possible that the association exists due to a lurking variable which is not a part of the study.

Thus, it is stated that correlation does not imply causation.

Therefore, the two variablesnamely concentration of \(C{O_2}\) and the global mean temperature are known to have linear correlation but may not be the possible because of change in the other.