CO2 Now

 

What the world needs to know

Global warming is mainly the result of CO2 levels rising in the Earth’s atmosphere. Both atmospheric CO2 and climate change are accelerating. Climate scientists say we have years, not decades, to stabilize CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

To help the world succeed, CO2Now.org makes it easy to see the most current CO2 level and what it means. So, use this site and keep an eye on CO2. Invite others to do the same. Then we can do more to send CO2 in the right direction.

Watch CO2 now and know the score on global warming, practically in real time.

Earth's CO2 Home Page

 

 

 

 

382.98ppm

 

 

 

Atmospheric CO2 for October 2008


See the note below about a recent correction in the reported data for October 2008

Current chart and data for atmospheric CO2


 
CO2 Data Set:

Updated Monday November 19, 2008 (17:21:25)

 

Note about October 2008 Data:  If you noticed that Mauna Loa CO2 for October 2008 had previously been reported as 384.75 parts per million, you may be wondering why it has changed to 382.98 parts per million.  Here's why.   

Originally, on November 3, 2008, NOAA reported 384.75 for October 2008 for atmospheric CO2 as measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.  On November 19, 2008, NOAA reported a correction in the data.  Click here for more details in the NOAA notes and change log.   

   
 
 
Measuring Location:

Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii

   
 
 
Data Source:
Earth Systems Research Laboratory (ESRL) / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
   
 
 
Why is CO2 significant?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the chief greenhouse gas that results from human activities and causes global warming and climate change. To see whether enough is being done at the moment to solve these global problems, there is no single indicator as complete and current as the monthly updates for atmospheric CO2 from the Mauna Loa Observatory.
 
 
 
 
What is the current trend?
At least since the 1958 start of atmospheric CO2 measurements with high-precision instruments, the rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration has accelerated from decade to decade.   The latest atmospheric CO2 data is consistent with a continuation of this long-standing trend.
   
 
 
What level is safe?
The upper safety limit for atmospheric CO2 is 350 parts per million (ppm). Atmospheric CO2 levels have stayed higher than 350 ppm since early 1988.

 

 
Current Data for Atmospheric CO2


The world's most current data for atmospheric CO2 is from measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. These high-precision measurements were started by Dave Keeling (shown in the photo) in March 1958.

Today, the monthly average concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within a week after each month ends.  The source data is organized into a table and republished here at CO2Now.org so more people can see the latest CO2 level and the important CO2 trend.  The table includes the full Mauna Loa instrument record for atmospheric CO2.

Read more... [Current Data for Atmospheric CO2]