Scripps Oceanography reports new record level of carbon dioxide in atmosphere

The Mauna Loa Observatory File photo courtesy of NOAA Scripps Institution of Oceanography released Thursday that the amount of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continues its steady increase setting a new record in May The NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory located feet above sea level on Hawaii measured over parts per million one-third higher that when monitoring began over years ago The monthly average in May of ppm is an increase of ppm over May s measurement of ppm Another year another record declared Ralph Keeling director of the Scripps CO Initiative It s sad Since carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas the steady increase has substantial implications for global warming The gas acts like a blanket trapping heat and warming the lower atmosphere In Scripps scientist Charles David Keeling father of Ralph began monitoring carbon dioxide concentrations at the observatory site Keeling was the first to recognize that levels in the Northern Hemisphere peak in May fall during the growing season and rise again as plants die in the fall He documented these fluctuations in a record that has come to be known as the Keeling Curve He was also the first to recognize that in addition to the seasonal fluctuation carbon dioxide levels have risen every year Scripps has documented that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are now more than higher than they were before the beginning of the industrial era and the burning of fossil fuels