TV News LIES

Monday, Mar 17th

Last update07:46:45 AM GMT

You are here News Environment Global carbon dioxide in atmosphere passes milestone level

Global carbon dioxide in atmosphere passes milestone level

E-mail Print PDF

Global CO2 levelFor the first time in human history, the concentration of climate-warming carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has passed the milestone level of 400 parts per million (ppm). The last time so much greenhouse gas was in the air was several million years ago, when the Arctic was ice-free, savannah spread across the Sahara desert and sea level was up to 40 metres higher than today.

These conditions are expected to return in time, with devastating consequences for civilisation, unless emissions of CO2 from the burning of coal, gas and oil are rapidly curtailed. But despite increasingly severe warnings from scientists and a major economic recession, global emissions have continued to soar unchecked.

"It is symbolic, a point to pause and think about where we have been and where we are going," said Professor Ralph Keeling, who oversees the measurements on a Hawaian volcano, which were begun by his father in 1958. "It's like turning 50: it's a wake up to what has been building up in front of us all along."

"The passing of this milestone is a significant reminder of the rapid rate at which – and the extent to which – we have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere," said Prof Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which serves as science adviser to the world's governments. "At the beginning of industrialisation the concentration of CO2 was just 280ppm. We must hope that the world crossing this milestone will bring about awareness of the scientific reality of climate change and how human society should deal with the challenge."

More...


Most Recent Related Stories...


37 dead as tornadoes, powerful storms crush multiple US states: Updates

powerful stormsAt least 37 people are dead after dozens of tornadoes, high winds, and dust storms pushed...

Extreme weather and powerful winds predicted for 100 million Americans

extreme weather The National Weather Service has predicted extreme weather across a vast swath of the US encompassing...

Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits southern Mexico, alarms sound in capital

Mexico earthqakeu A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca on Friday evening, Mexican authorities and...

Atmospheric river to wallop California as study finds storms getting worse

Calif. to get more storms A powerful atmospheric river storm was set to wallop California on Wednesday evening, drenching large swaths...
 
America's # 1 Enemy
Tee Shirt
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
TVNL Tee Shirt
 
TVNL TOTE BAG
Conserve our Planet
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
 
Get your 9/11 & Media
Deception Dollars
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
 
The Loaded Deck
The First & the Best!
The Media & Bush Admin Exposed!