The concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere has reached a staggering 430.2 parts per million (ppm), the highest level seen in millions of years, according to new data from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The measurements, recorded at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, show an annual increase of 3.5 ppm from May 2024 — a rate that has climate experts deeply concerned.
Scientists attribute the steady rise in CO₂ primarily to the continued burning of fossil fuels. With global emissions still climbing, the latest data confirms fears that the world is moving further off track from its climate goals. Researchers warn that this level of atmospheric carbon has not been experienced by humanity before, placing us in “uncharted territory.”
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The consequences of elevated CO₂ levels are already being felt across the globe, from extreme heatwaves and flooding to worsening droughts. Beyond atmospheric effects, carbon absorption by oceans is accelerating acidification, threatening marine life by weakening the shells and skeletons of vital species like corals and plankton.
While Mauna Loa provides the longest-running dataset for global CO₂ levels, variations exist in different regions. Still, data from the Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network confirms a troubling upward trend. Scientists and policymakers, speaking recently at the Astana International Forum, renewed calls for urgent global action to cut emissions and support climate adaptation, especially in vulnerable regions.
As the world approaches the COP30 summit, experts urge decision-makers to act decisively. Without immediate shifts toward clean energy and sustainable practices, they warn, the planet faces growing instability in the years ahead.
