When was global warming discovered
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
The Discovery of Global Warming: A Historical Overview
Early Theories and Observations in the 18th and 19th Centuries
The concept of global warming has roots that trace back to the late 18th century. In 1796, Scottish physicist John Leslie inferred that the Earth was warming based on his observations of glacial recession in the Swiss Alps. Leslie's theory, although flawed due to a lack of understanding of Earth's outgoing infrared radiation, was an early indication of climate change.
In the mid-19th century, John Tyndall's experiments in 1859 provided the first experimental evidence of the greenhouse effect. Tyndall demonstrated that gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane absorb more radiant heat than oxygen and nitrogen, laying the physical foundation for understanding anthropogenic global warming.
Early 20th Century Developments
The early 20th century saw significant advancements in the understanding of global warming. In 1896, Svante Arrhenius published a paper suggesting that increased carbon dioxide from human activities could lead to global warming. However, it wasn't until the late 1950s that scientists began to seriously consider global warming as a potential danger.
In 1938, Guy Stewart Callendar was the first to demonstrate that the Earth's land surface was warming. He attributed this warming to the increased production of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion, marking a significant milestone in climate science.
Mid to Late 20th Century Recognition
The recognition of global warming as a significant issue gained momentum in the latter half of the 20th century. By the 1970s, global warming became evident beyond natural variability, and scientists began to understand the role of greenhouse gases in creating an energy imbalance in the Earth's atmosphere.
The establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988 marked a pivotal moment in the global acknowledgment of climate change. The IPCC was tasked with evaluating and assessing the state of global warming science, leading to major scientific assessments and international protocols aimed at addressing the issue.
Conclusion
The discovery and understanding of global warming have evolved over centuries, from early observations and theories in the 18th and 19th centuries to significant scientific advancements in the 20th century. The work of pioneers like John Leslie, John Tyndall, Svante Arrhenius, and Guy Stewart Callendar laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of climate change. Today, global warming is recognized as one of the most critical challenges facing humanity, with ongoing research and international efforts aimed at mitigating its impacts.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic