Atmospheric CO2 

 

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Global Carbon Project 
The GCP is the recognized international resource for CO2 emissions, sinks and sources. In the annual GCP Global Carbon Project carbon report the atmospheric concentration of CO2 is included. 

For about 10 000 years before the industrial revolution, the atmospheric abundance of CO2 was nearly constant at ~ 280 ppm (ppm = number of molecules of the gas per million molecules of dry air). This level represented a balance among the atmosphere, the oceans and the biosphere.


The atmospheric CO2 concentration has increased over 50% since industrialization. 

Atmospheric CO2 would much higher if CO2 had not been absorbed by the land (forest) and ocean carbon sinks (~half of emissions), which have recently started to lose efficiency 

As a greenhouse gas CO2 in the atmosphere absorbs and (re-)radiates infra red heat in the lower atmosphere warming the surface of the planet and upper ocean waters. 

CO2 is highly cumulative - 20% of emissions last for 1000 years in the atmosphere. 

The more CO2 builds up in the atmosphere  the more heat will be in the lower atmosphere, the more heat will build up in the oceans and the more the oceans will be acidified.

Today's CO2 from CO2. Earth

The World Meteorological Organizations publishes an annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin: The State of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere

Atmospheric CO2 is over 422 ppm, (50% increase), the highest in 14 million years


Atmospheric CO2 has been increasing at an accelerating rate throughout its Mauna Loa monitoring record from 1958, and it is presently increasing faster than ever (NOAA link 422 ppm)


Climate science uses two types of CO2 concentrations-

CO2 ppm just CO2 and CO2 equivalent (CO2e or CO2eq).

CO2 equivalent adds in the other main GHGs.


CO2 equivalent (CO2 eq. or CO2 e.) adds in the other GHGs,

most importantly methane and nitrous oxide, as well as

surface ozone and halo-carbons.

see Equivalent CO2 and its use

Global Carbon Project Interactive Carbon Atlas

Fossil fuel combustion is by far the top source of CO2 emissions, and is also a source of other global warming GHG emissions; methane (by natural gas), some nitrous oxide, and surface ozone (indirectly).  

Atmospheric CO2 has been increasing at an accelerating rate since first monitored in 1958.


It is over 422 ppm (seasonally adjusted means)   and is still accelerating today.


Over just 2000 years the abrupt huge atmospheric CO2  increase with industrialization is clear. 

Over the past 800,000 years CO2 has never been above 300 ppm. and now it is 422 ppm. 

We now know CO2 is the highest in 14 million years

This NOAA site provides monthly concentrations of atmospheric CO2, also methane and nitrous oxide

Scripps Oceanographic Institute monitors atmospheric CO2 at its Moan Loa site, providing daily CO2

Atmospheric CO2 is the main contributor to global heating, 64% of global warming but 80% since 1990 (WMO) 

It is the sole cause of ocean acidification 


It increases in direct proportion to CO2 emissions, at an accelerating rate- right up to present