While the role of rising CO2 concentration in increasing the temperature is well known, the opposite causality link, from temperature to CO2 concentration, received far less scrutiny. In this paper, we address the relation between the two variables using the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality test for a panel of individual areas of the planet. We also run individual areas-level Granger causality tests to determine the geographical distribution of the local causal links between the CO2 concentration and temperature. We find evidence of both causality directions at the global level, suggesting potential feedback between CO2 concentration and temperature. We also find that the global phenomenon results from a very fragmented geographical distribution of mostly unidirectional causality links at the local level. Considering the two results jointly, this work potentially provides insights into the connection between average trends of human-induced global warming and particular local conditions experiencing extreme meteorological conditions.
Observations from the Little Bunker
Last updated: August 18, 2025 04:13 PM
Atmospheric CO₂
425.4 ppm
+18.4
ppm/year
Atmospheric CH₄
1934.91 ppb
+9.11
ppb/year
Global Temperature
+1.48 °C
Peak: +1.73°C
World Population
8.1 billion
+67
million/year