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‘The path we’re on is foolish and dangerous and will lead to unacceptable changes’
By Bob Berwyn
SUMMIT COUNTY —Underscoring the inexorable increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide pollution, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported today that average monthly concentrations of CO2 in the air around Barrow, Alaska reached 400 parts per million for the first time ever.
Carbon dioxide, emitted by fossil fuel combustion and other human activities, is the most significant greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
The record-high readings came in April and May, at a time of year when CO2 levels are highest in the northern hemisphere just before plants start to absorb the gas as part of their growing cycle, but are worrisome nonetheless as an indicator of global CO2 levels.
“The northern sites in our monitoring network tell us what is coming soon to the globe as a whole,” said Pieter Tans, an atmospheric scientist with NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder. “We will likely see global average CO2 concentrations reach 400 ppm about 2016.” (more…)
Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Environment, global warming | Tagged: atmospheric CO2, Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere, climate change, global warming, greenhouse gases, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | Leave a Comment »
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