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The Conversation
The Conversation
Environment
Sylvia G. Dee, Assistant Professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Rice University

A mild-mannered biker triggered a huge debate over humans' role in climate change – in the early 20th century

Guy Stewart Callendar connected carbon dioxide concentrations with rising temperatures. GS Callendar Archive, University of East Anglia

In 1938, a British engineer and amateur meteorologist made a discovery that set off a fierce debate about climate change.

Scientists had known for decades that carbon dioxide could trap heat and warm the planet. But Guy Callendar was the first to connect human activities to global warming.

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