Latest news with #RalphKeeling
CBC
2 days ago
- Science
- CBC
CO2 levels just broke another record. Here's what that means
Social Sharing When man first walked on the moon, the carbon dioxide concentration in Earth's atmosphere was 325 parts per million (ppm). By 9/11, it was 369 ppm, and when COVID-19 shut down normal life in 2020, it had shot up to 414 parts ppm. This week, our planet hit the highest levels ever directly recorded: 430 parts per million. For 67 years, the observatory on Hawaii's Mauna Loa volcano has been taking these measurements daily — tracking the invisible gas that is building up in our atmosphere and changing life on Earth. The record is known as the Keeling Curve. Charles David Keeling began those recordings, some of the first in the world to measure CO2 concentration over time. His son, Ralph Keeling, born one year before the observatory opened, has witnessed the rapid increase firsthand over his lifetime. "I was a teenager when I first started to appreciate what my father was doing and how it might be significant," Keeling told CBC News. Back then it was around 330 ppm. Keeling, a geochemistry professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, took over the research once his father passed away in 2005. "This problem is not going away, and we're moving further and further into uncharted territory, and almost certainly, very dangerous territory." Why CO2 matters The build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere isn't visible to the naked eye, but its concentration matters because of the greenhouse effect. Like the glass walls that trap heat from the sun in an actual greenhouse, gases in our atmosphere such as CO2 and methane also trap heat from the sun. At the start of the Industrial Revolution, ice core samples show CO2 levels were around 280 parts per million but as they rose, warming has increased by about 1.3 C over the pre-industrial average. That's led to rising temperatures and leading to more frequent and extreme weather, like heat waves, floods, wildfires and droughts. While many have heard about the goals of limiting warming to 1.5 C or 2 C above pre-industrial levels, there have also been efforts to return CO2 levels to below 350 parts per million, as a key part of limiting the damage from climate change. The record highs have continued though. Just in the last year, CO2 readings from May have increased more than three parts per million — that many more molecules of CO2 trapping heat and contributing to warming. "We know why it's rising faster than ever, it's because we're burning more fossil fuels each year," said Keeling. Direct link to fossil fuels Damon Matthews, a climate scientist and professor at Concordia University in Quebec, also says he's concerned and isn't surprised that there are new records every year. "If we want to actually stabilize CO2 levels in the atmosphere, we would need to cut global emissions by more than 50 per cent, and we're nowhere near doing that," he said, adding that there are other gases at play but CO2 is the dominant influence. "Every May, we're going to see a new record of atmospheric CO2, until we actually make a lot more progress on climate mitigation than we have today." The annual cycle, peaking in late spring in the northern hemisphere, is tied to plant photosynthesis — CO2 concentrations drop in the summer as plants absorb the gas and release oxygen. In 2021, the International Energy Agency said that if the world wants to limit global warming and reach net-zero by 2050, there could be no new coal, oil or gas projects. Matthews is part of Canada's net-zero advisory body and says he's seen some progress in decreasing CO2 emissions the last few years, but not enough. He says Europe's emissions have been going down for decades, and that last year CO2 emissions in China didn't increase. However, he says Canada still lags behind other countries, and the U.S. is trending the other way. "There's lots of policy options, certainly focusing on expanding the oil and gas industry in Canada right now is not going to get us where we need to go in terms of climate," he said. "We just need to stop arguing about whether it's a priority and start doing the things that we know will help to solve the problem."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels break seasonal records: NOAA
Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide made history last month by climbing to their highest seasonal peak available in historical records, a team of researchers reported. For the first time ever, these levels surpassed 430 parts per million (ppm) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, which is considered the global benchmark site for tracking atmospheric carbon dioxide. The 430.2 ppm calculation for May marked a 3.5 ppm increase over May 2024's reading of 426.7 ppm, according to scientists from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the the University of California, San Diego, who worked together with colleagues at NOAA. 'Another year, another record,' Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps CO2 Program, said in a statement. 'It's sad.' At an elevation of 11,141 feet above sea level, the observatory is located on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano and produces measurements that reflect the average state of the atmosphere for the Northern Hemisphere. Carbon dioxide, the scientists explained, acts like a blanket — trapping heat and warming the lower atmosphere, as well as altering weather patterns and fueling extreme weather events. The surge in CO2 concentrations is also contributing to acidification and causing changes in ocean chemistry that affect the survival of marine organisms, according to the researchers. A half-century of sampling at Mauna Loa, conducted by researchers at both NOAA and Scripps, have provided a baseline for tracking the increase of human-generated carbon emissions, the scientists noted. They acknowledged, however, that the station does not capture the full extent as to how carbon CO2 concentrations can vary across the planet — as stations in the Southern Hemisphere have yet to cross the 430-ppm threshold. NOAA's global sampling network, as well as 14 worldwide stations operated by the Scripps CO2 program, are also contributing to the broader planetary picture and helping identify locations of carbon sources and sinks, the researchers added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Science
- The Hill
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels break seasonal records: NOAA
Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide made history last month by climbing to their highest seasonal peak available in historical records, a team of researchers reported. For the first time ever, these levels surpassed 430 parts per million (ppm) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, which is considered the global benchmark site for tracking atmospheric carbon dioxide. The 430.2 ppm calculation for May 2025 marked a 3.5 ppm increase over the previous May's reading of 426.7 ppm, according to scientists from the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who worked together with colleagues at NOAA. 'Another year, another record,' Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps CO2 Program, said in a statement. 'It's sad.' At an elevation of 11,141 feet above sea level, the observatory is located on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano and produces measurements that reflect the average state of the atmosphere for the northern hemisphere. Carbon dioxide, the scientists explained, acts like a blanket — trapping heat and warming the lower atmosphere, as well as altering weather patterns and fueling extreme weather events. The surge in CO2 concentrations is also contributing to acidification and causing changes in ocean chemistry that affect the survival of marine organisms, according to the researchers. A half-century of sampling at Mauna Loa, conducted by researchers at both NOAA and Scripps, have provided a baseline for tracking the increase of human-generated carbon emissions, the scientists noted. They acknowledged, however, that the station does not capture the full extent as to how carbon CO2 concentrations can vary across the planet — as stations in the Southern Hemisphere have yet to cross the 430-ppm threshold. NOAA's global sampling network, as well as 14 worldwide stations operated by the Scripps CO2 program, are also contributing to the broader planetary picture and helping identify locations of carbon sources and sinks, the researchers added.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Earth's CO2 hits highest recorded level in human history, experts say
There's now more carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere than ever before in human history, scientists have revealed. For the first time on record, monthly average CO2 levels exceeded 430 parts per million (ppm), according to experts at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego. The monthly average for May 2025 reached 430.2ppm – the highest level since accurate measurements began 67 years ago. The more CO2 in the atmosphere, the higher the rate of global warming , which could one day could make Earth's surface too hot for humans. At much higher concentrations, CO2 can also cause a variety of health issues. Worryingly, this includes cognitive impairment, drowsiness, nausea and even death in the most extreme cases. 'Another year, another record,' said Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps CO2 Program. He added: 'It's sad.' Like other greenhouse gases, CO2 acts like a blanket, trapping heat and warming the lower atmosphere. This changes weather patterns and fuels extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, heavy rain and flooding. Rising CO2 levels also contribute to ocean acidification , which makes it more difficult for marine organisms like crustaceans and coral to grow hard skeletons or shells. The experts' new measurements come from Mauna Loa Observatory, a research station situated high on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii. At 11,141 feet above sea level, Mauna Loa Observatory measures different gases in the air by shining different kinds of light and radiation through air samples. According to the experts, the observatory's monthly average for May 2025 of 430.2 ppm is an increase of 3.5 ppm over May 2024's measurement of 426.7 ppm. Meanwhile, NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado has separately reported an average of 430.5 ppm – an increase of 3.6 ppm over last year. In a post on X , Jeff Berardelli, meteorologist and climate specialist for WFLA Tampa Bay, called the new record 'concerning'. CO2 is by far the most abundant human-caused greenhouse gas and it can persist in the atmosphere and oceans for thousands of years. According to scientists, the amount of carbon present now in the Earth's atmosphere is equal to that which would have been seen some 4.1 to 4.5 million years ago, during a time which scientists refer to as the 'Pliocene Climatic Optimum'. At this time, the sea level was a whopping 78 feet (24 meters) higher than in the present day, while the average global temperature stood at 7°F (3.9°C) higher than it was before the Industrial Revolution. In fact, the temperature was so warm during this period of time that large forests occupied areas of the Arctic which today are barren, chilly tundra. Although humanity is constantly pumping out CO2 all-year-round, atmospheric CO2 is at its highest in the Northern Hemisphere in the spring – specifically May. Between autumn and spring, much of the hemisphere's plant matter decomposes, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere as it does so. May tends to represent the highest extend of atmospheric CO2 before plants come to life and draw in CO2 to fuel their growth. This begins the process of lowering the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere until the autumn when the plants start to die – and the cycle continues. Researchers say Mauna Loa Observatory's new measurements represent the average state of CO2 in the atmosphere of the Northern Hemisphere. However, CO2 concentrations have not yet passed the 430 ppm mark in the Southern Hemisphere, which has a reversed cycle. It was Scripps scientist Charles David Keeling, father of Ralph Keeling, who was the first to recognise that CO2 levels in the Northern Hemisphere peaked in May. In 1958, he began monitoring CO2 concentrations at Mauna Loa Observatory and documented a long-term increase, known as the Keeling Curve. NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory, meanwhile, begun daily CO2 measurements in 1974 and has maintained a complementary, independent measurement record ever since.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Earth's CO2 hits highest recorded level in human history - exceeding 430 parts per million for the first time ever
There's now more carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere than ever before in human history, scientists have revealed. For the first time on record, monthly average CO2 levels exceeded 430 parts per million (ppm), according to experts at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego. The monthly average for May 2025 reached 430.2ppm – the highest level since accurate measurements began 67 years ago. The more CO2 in the atmosphere, the higher the rate of global warming, which could one day could make Earth's surface too hot for humans. At much higher concentrations, CO2 can also cause a variety of health issues. Worryingly, this includes cognitive impairment, drowsiness, nausea and even death in the most extreme cases. 'Another year, another record,' said Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps CO2 Program. He added: 'It's sad.' This graph shows concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) measured at Mauna Loa Observatory in the month of May 2025. Scientists calculated an average for the month of 430.2 ppm - an increase of 3.5 ppm over May 2024 Like other greenhouse gases, CO2 acts like a blanket, trapping heat and warming the lower atmosphere. This changes weather patterns and fuels extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, heavy rain and flooding. Rising CO2 levels also contribute to ocean acidification, which makes it more difficult for marine organisms like crustaceans and coral to grow hard skeletons or shells. The experts' new measurements come from Mauna Loa Observatory, a research station situated high on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii. At 11,141 feet above sea level, Mauna Loa Observatory measures different gases in the air by shining different kinds of light and radiation through air samples. According to the experts, the observatory's monthly average for May 2025 of 430.2 ppm is an increase of 3.5 ppm over May 2024's measurement of 426.7 ppm. Meanwhile, NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado has separately reported an average of 430.5 ppm – an increase of 3.6 ppm over last year. In a post on X, Jeff Berardelli, meteorologist and climate specialist for WFLA Tampa Bay, called the new record 'concerning'. In the Northern Hemisphere, CO2 concentrations in the air are at their lowest around September before plant matter starts to gradually decompose - releasing CO2 back to the atmosphere as it hits a high in spring How is atmospheric CO2 measured? CO2 is routinely measured in parts-per-million (ppm), which is simply the ratio of one gas or other molecule to another. For example, 430 ppm of CO2 means that there are 430 molecules of CO2 and 999,570 molecules of other gases or water vapour. At much higher concentrations - such as 1,000 ppm - CO2 can have a adverse health effect on human functioning, including cognitive impairment, drowsiness and nausea. A concentration of 40,000 ppm is considered 'immediately dangerous to life or health', according to the Minnesota Department of Health. CO2 is by far the most abundant human-caused greenhouse gas and it can persist in the atmosphere and oceans for thousands of years. According to scientists, the amount of carbon present now in the Earth's atmosphere is equal to that which would have been seen some 4.1 to 4.5 million years ago, during a time which scientists refer to as the 'Pliocene Climatic Optimum'. At this time, the sea level was a whopping 78 feet (24 meters) higher than in the present day, while the average global temperature stood at 7°F (3.9°C) higher than it was before the Industrial Revolution. In fact, the temperature was so warm during this period of time that large forests occupied areas of the Arctic which today are barren, chilly tundra. Although humanity is constantly pumping out CO2 all-year-round, atmospheric CO2 is at its highest in the Northern Hemisphere in the spring – specifically May. Between autumn and spring, much of the hemisphere's plant matter decomposes, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere as it does so. May tends to represent the highest extend of atmospheric CO2 before plants come to life and draw in CO2 to fuel their growth. This begins the process of lowering the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere until the autumn when the plants start to die – and the cycle continues. The Keeling Curve is a daily record of global atmospheric CO2 concentrations from 1958 to the present day, based on continuous measurements taken at the Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii Researchers say Mauna Loa Observatory's new measurements represent the average state of CO2 in the atmosphere of the Northern Hemisphere. However, CO2 concentrations have not yet passed the 430 ppm mark in the Southern Hemisphere, which has a reversed cycle. It was Scripps scientist Charles David Keeling, father of Ralph Keeling, who was the first to recognise that CO2 levels in the Northern Hemisphere peaked in May. In 1958, he began monitoring CO2 concentrations at Mauna Loa Observatory and documented a long-term increase, known as the Keeling Curve. NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory, meanwhile, begun daily CO2 measurements in 1974 and has maintained a complementary, independent measurement record ever since. THE KEELING CURVE EXPLAINED Pictured: Charles David Keeling receiving the US Medal of Science in 2001 Regular atmospheric CO₂ recordings were begun on Mauna Loa back in 1958 by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientist Charles David Keeling. It was these measurements that confirmed the prediction of the Swedish physical chemist Svante Arrhenius that humanity was contributing to increasing global temperatures by means of the greenhouse effect. Specifically, Dr Keeling's data showed that, overall, atmospheric CO₂ levels were rising each year — a dynamic shown in the so-called keeling curve (pictured bottom left). The Keeling Curve was also the first data set to reveal the existence of seasonal fluctuations in carbon dioxide levels. The highest monthly average carbon dioxide value in the northern hemisphere occurs in the May of each year, before plants act to remove large amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere in the growing season. The peak in May is caused by plants and soils giving off carbon dioxide between the northern hemisphere's autumn and early spring.
