There is 50 percent more carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere than in pre-industrial times. It appears in a new report from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Throughout most of human existence, until the industrial revolution of the 19th century, CO levels were steady at 280 ppm. The amount of CO₂ measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii was at its highest 421 parts per million (ppm) in May. “Humans are changing our climate in ways that our economy and infrastructure need to adapt,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad in a statement. NOAA’s observatory is the global reference point for atmospheric CO₂ monitoring. It is located almost 3400 meters above sea level. It is undisturbed by the influence of local pollution or vegetation. Measurement units for greenhouse gases CO₂ are measured in ppm or parts per million, ie parts per million. That is, when the concentration in the atmosphere is 400 ppm, there are 400 CO₂ molecules for every million air molecules. Methane is measured in ppb or parts per trillion, ie billionths. When the concentration in the atmosphere is 400 ppb, there are 400 methane molecules for every billion air molecules. Not seen similarly in millions of years The amount of carbon dioxide is higher than the level in May 2021 (419 ppm) and May 2020 (417 ppm). NOAA says that the level of carbon dioxide in the air in May has reached a point that has not been seen since the earth was 7 degrees warmer, over 4 million years ago. When the sea level was 5–25 meters higher than it is today and there were forests in parts of today’s Arctic. – The relentless increase in carbon dioxide measured by Mauna Loa is a strong reminder that we must take acute, serious steps to become a more climate-ready nation, says Spinrad. CO₂ in the atmosphere measured in parts per million particles (ppm) 460 parts per million particles (ppm)? Press to explain parts per million, abbreviated ppmGo to news’s Climate Status Why is the graph so wavy? This is about seasons. In summer, the amount of CO₂ decreases because plants and trees absorb CO₂ from the air. In winter, the plants die, the CO₂ is released and the graph goes up. Since there are more plants and trees in the northern hemisphere, it is the seasons here that control the amount of CO in the atmosphere. What is the problem with a lot of CO in the atmosphere? The greenhouse effect makes the soil livable, but more greenhouse gases, such as CO, increase this effect . The graph starts in 1960 because this was the year when the world began to measure CO₂ systematically. It happened at Mauna Loa in Hawaii and the curve shows the measurements from there. Before the world was industrialized, there was around 280 ppm CO₂ in the atmosphere (year 1700). The researchers have found this out by analyzing ice core samples. Will there be less CO₂ in the atmosphere if emissions are cut? No, not immediately. If we cut emissions, the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere will only increase more slowly. The reduction in emissions must be large and last long before we can see an effect. Imagine that the atmosphere is a bathtub and the greenhouse gases are the water you fill in. Even if you turn on the tap, the bathtub will not be empty of water. This is how it is with greenhouse gases and CO₂. It takes a long time before CO₂ breaks down in the atmosphere. This is why experts want technology that sucks greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, in addition to us cutting emissions. World politicians have decided that they will try to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, compared to how the temperature was before the industrial revolution. Then we must keep the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere below 430 ppm, according to the UN’s climate panel. Will continue to break records – When emissions are record high, we expect it to be reflected in the atmosphere, says Glen Peters. He is head of research at Cicero, Center for Climate Research in Oslo. He is not surprised by the report from NOAA. NOT SURPRISED: Research leader at CICERO, Glen Peters, says that when emissions are at a record high, it is expected that it will be reflected in the atmosphere. Photo: Monica Bjermeland / CICERO – This happens every year, with new records. We will break new records next year, says Peters. Not even the pandemic year 2020, where emissions showed a decrease of 3.2 percent from 2019, has led to any reduction in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. According to the research leader, a significant drop in emissions will be needed. If we manage to flatten the current emissions, so that they do not rise, it will, according to Peters, take ten years before you see any change. – The level will continue to rise, but at a slower speed. If we had had the same emissions as the corona year 2020, the time would have been shortened to five years. – When we will see a change in that trend, depends on how quickly we reduce our emissions, Peters says.
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50 percent more CO₂ in the atmosphere than pre-industrial times – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
