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Atmospheric CO₂ (Mauna Loa) vs US Federal Debt Outstanding
Atmospheric CO₂ (Mauna Loa) and US Federal Debt Outstanding correlate at r = +0.92 over 67 years (1959–2025), p < 0.0001. With the time trend removed, r = +0.94. Holds up after detrending.
Verdict: Holds up after detrending. Statistically significant (p = < 0.0001) and the association survives trend removal (detrended r = 0.94). Correlation still isn't causation, but this one isn't an obvious artifact.
- Pearson r
- +0.92
- p-value
- < 0.0001
- Years compared (n)
- 67 (1959–2025)
- 95% confidence interval
- 0.87 to 0.95
- Correlation with the time trend removed
- +0.94
Sources
- Atmospheric CO₂ (Mauna Loa) (ppm): NOAA GML. Annual mean atmospheric carbon dioxide measured at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii (NOAA GML).
- US Federal Debt Outstanding (USD): U.S. Treasury. Total US federal debt outstanding at the end of each fiscal year (U.S. Treasury Fiscal Data).
Related pairs
- Atmospheric CO₂ (Mauna Loa) vs US GDP per Capita (r = +0.99)
- Atmospheric CO₂ (Mauna Loa) vs US Population (r = +0.99)
- US Renewable Energy Share vs US Federal Debt Outstanding (r = +0.99)
- US Wind Power Generation vs US Federal Debt Outstanding (r = +0.99)
- Atmospheric CO₂ (Mauna Loa) vs US GDP (current US$) (r = +0.98)
- Atmospheric CO₂ (Mauna Loa) vs US Cereal Yield (r = +0.98)
Correlation does not imply causation. How the verdict is worked out.