Recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of California San Diego reveals that Earth’s atmosphere now contains unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), exceeding 430 parts per million (ppm) for the first time as of May. This represents an increase of over 3 ppm from last year, underscoring the insufficient efforts of countries to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Ralph Keeling, a climate scientist at UC San Diego, expressed concern over this continuous rise, describing it as “sad.” High concentrations of CO2, a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion, contribute significantly to global warming by trapping heat and leading to dire outcomes, including rising sea levels, shrinking polar ice, and more extreme weather events. Since preindustrial times, atmospheric CO2 levels have surged, a trend primarily driven by human activities. Notably, the planet surpassed the 400 ppm mark in 2013—a threshold once considered unimaginable—and could reach 500 ppm within 30 years, according to scientists.
Keeling highlighted that the last occurrence of such high CO2 levels was more than 30 million years ago, a period vastly different from today’s climate. He emphasized the alarming speed at which CO2 levels have climbed, suggesting that human civilization was not built for such a high-CO2 environment.
Atmospheric CO2 levels are monitored using the Keeling Curve, a graph initiated by Keeling’s father in 1958 at Mauna Loa Observatory. This curve illustrates the steep rise of CO2 levels since the Industrial Revolution, reflecting humanity’s impact on Earth’s climate and providing essential insights into the planet’s overall health. As Keeling stated, these measurements offer a comprehensive view of the atmospheric system’s condition.
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