Carbon dioxide levels are the highest they have been in the history of mankind, according to a new study.
Researchers from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego, California made an analysis of carbon dioxide levels, finding concentrations at their highest level in 800,000 years. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. Investigators found 401.33 parts per million of the greenhouse gas in the air.
Since 1958, scientists have continually measured the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Dramatically rising levels of the greenhouse gas were first detected at the observatory by Charles David Keeling. To this day, environmentalists use his Keeling graph to plot changing concentrations of the gas.
Ralph Keeling, son of the groundbreaking researcher, recently announced the record high levels.
Concentrations of the gas are believed to have been around 280 parts per million just prior to the Industrial Revolution. By the time of the first readings at Mauna Loa 56 years ago, levels stood at 318 parts per million. The 400 ppm landmark was just surpassed in May 2013 for the first time in human history.
Researchers believe the carbon dioxide measurements taken at Hawaii are representative of measurements worldwide.
As global temperatures rise, climatologists believe storms could become more severe, causing greater damage to coastal areas.
"A warming climate is known to increase surface evaporation, which, barring an increase in precipitation, reduces soil moisture, ground water storage, and stream flow," NOAA officials explained on their Web site.
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released a report on the state of global climate change. An international pact directs nations to reduce global warming to just 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit over the next 100 years. In the IPCC report, the organization estimated that total concentrations of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, need to be limited to between two and three ppm to meet that goal.
Natural carbon dioxide levels peak during spring in the northern hemisphere, as plants spring to life. In autumn, concentrations reduce once again, as vegetation dies back. The record high levels are likely to peak in May, before tempering once again at the end of summer. In the next few years, Keeling believes the Earth will experience carbon dioxide levels over 400 ppm year-round.
"401.44 parts per million (ppm) CO2 in air 01-May-2014," the Scripps Institution of Oceanography tweeted, announcing the new record.
This tweet could soon become the new norm in a rapidly-warming environment.
