Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere just hit a 'depressing' new record
4 hours ago
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- #Emissions
- Atmospheric CO2 concentrations reached a record high in April 2025, averaging 431 ppm.
- CO2 levels peak annually in April due to plant decay, with some reabsorbed later, but the overall trend is a steady increase.
- Long-term monitoring since 1958 at Mauna Loa Observatory shows April CO2 has risen from under 320 ppm to current levels.
- Pre-industrial CO2 was around 280 ppm, and even past interglacial periods did not exceed 300 ppm, highlighting the unprecedented modern rise.
- U.S. emissions dropped in 2023-2024 but increased in 2025 partly due to higher electricity demand from AI data centers.
- Renewable energy expansion offers optimism despite the depressing trend of rising CO2 records.