Carbon Dioxide Levels at 650,000 Year High

According to this guardian.co.uk article, the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have reached their highest level yet in 650,000 years.

Carbon Dioxide levels currently stand at 387 parts per million (ppm), which is almost a 40% increase since the Industrial Revolution, say scientists at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii.   The observatory has been measuring carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since 1958, and because of it’s isolated location atop of an 11,000 ft volcano, readings are considered reliable because the sensors are not exposed to erratic carbon dioxide emissions in the area.

From 1970 to 2000, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose approximately 1.5 ppm each year, compared to current average annual increases of 2.1 ppm.  Levels do rise and fall within the year, which is due to the changes in flora foliage throughout the seasons and their capacity to absorb the carbon dioxide, however, the levels are steadily increasing over the years.

So, some new facts and figures for you to digest and keep in mind when going about your daily business.  The environmental impact we’ve had on the world can’t be undone overnight, and like getting healthy on a personal level; this too will take some time and persistence.

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Sofia Lockhart

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