I keep coming across articles declaring the “drastic” increase in the rate at which atmospheric
CO2 is growing. I’m not afraid to question these statements and don’t care if it offends those who gulp down anything that feeds their convictions.

Beginning in 1958, Keeling took regular CO2 measurements at the top of Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii. As the measurements progressed over the years, Keeling noted a steady increase of about 1.5 ppm per year… no one has challenged the steady and significant increase in CO2 found by Dr. Keeling–an increase solely attributable to human-caused burning of fossil fuels.

Again, a “steady” increase. Until:

The Keeling Curve continues it inexorable march upward at 1.5 ppm per year, and was at 378 ppm at the end of 2004. The rate of increase took an unexpected jump to 2.4 ppm per year for the years 2002 and 2003, sparking fears that a major change in emissions had transpired. But the Keeling Curve returned back to normal for 2004, with another 1.5 ppm increase in CO2. Scientists attributed the 2-year increase to natural processes, possibly tied to droughts and fires, or such factors as global temperatures, rainfall amounts and volcanic eruptions.
-Jeff Masters

Return to normal. And now for what it has looked like over the last four years:
 

 
I don’t see how anyone could interpret the “rate” of increase as anything other than “steady”.