CO2 Now

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.

In 2010, the average monthly concentration for atmospheric CO2 (Mauna Loa Observatory) is about 389 parts per million (ppm).   This is based on preliminary data for a minimum of three quarters in 2010.  In 2009, it was 387.35 ppm. 

Since the 1958 start of precision CO2 measurements in the atmosphere, the annual mean concentration of CO2 has only increased from one year to the next.   There have been no decreases in annual CO2 levels since direct instrument measurements began.  The CO2 data below provides a simple overview of the annual trend. 

Carbon Emissions 2009

Nature Geoscience and GlobalCarbonProject.org published data for the 2009 Global Carbon Budget on November 21, 2010.

In 2009, fossil fuel CO2 emissions decreased by 1.3%.  These emissions were second highest in human history, just below 2008 emissions.  They are 37% higher than in 1990 (Kyoto reference year).

Coal is now the largest fossil-fuel source of CO2 emissions. About 92% of the growth in coal emissions for the period 2007-2009 resulted from increased coal use in China and India. If economic growth proceeds as expected, global fossil fuel emissions are projected to increase by more than 3% in 2010. 

Data for Global Carbon Emissions
(Fossil fuels, cement, land-use change)

To convert the data for carbon to carbon dioxide (CO2), multiply the numbers above by 3.67.  

Science Daily  |  Global CO2 emissions may reach record levels in 2010
Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions -- the main contributor to global warming -- show no sign of abating and may reach record levels in 2010, according to a study led by the University of Exeter (UK).

Sai Gon Giai Phong  |  No let up in carbon emissions, scientists warn
Annual emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the burning of oil, gas and coal were 30.8 billion tonnes, a retreat of only 1.3 percent in 2009 compared with 2008, a record year, scientists said in a letter to the journal Nature Geoscience.  The global decrease was less than half that had been expected, because emerging giant economies were unaffected by the downturn that hit many large industrialised nations. 

>>>>  Links to the source data, credits and high-resolution images are given below.

This article is about humanity’s three great carbon crises: global warming, climate change and ocean acidification.  It identifies a concrete, directional target for atmospheric CO2 that can end the carbon crises, along with concrete carbon emissions targets for getting us there.   These targets are presented in the context of the limited time for reaching the targets.  Readers are encouraged to use the links that are embedded in this article.   

Earth is becoming a tougher place to thrive and survive.  The planet’s self-regulating systems are being altered.  With a less stable environment, Earth is losing many living species and its ability to supply the world economy with basic goods and services.

The main driver behind these changes is carbon emissions.  Mostly they are produced as humans burn fossil fuel  for energy.   Carbon emissions have been high enough to boost  the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere to present day levels of roughly 390 parts per million.  This is about 30% higher than atmospheric CO2 levels for at least 800,000 years  before the industrial revolution.