Relentless rise of this greenhouse gas locks in a warmer future, scientists say
Relentless rise of this greenhouse gas locks in a warmer future, scientists say
Carbon dioxide levels in Earth’s atmosphere passed a troubling milestone for good this summer and locked in levels of the heat-trapping gas not seen for millions of years.
![Measurements taken by NOAA scientists show carbon dioxide levels are now permanently above 400 parts per million — even at the South Pole, which is the last place on Earth to register the impacts of increasing emissions from fossil fuel consumption. This photo shows NOAA's South Pole Observatory in the distance. (Image credit: Courtesy of Patrick Cullis/CIRES) Measurements taken by NOAA scientists show carbon dioxide levels are now permanently above 400 parts per million — even at the South Pole, which is the last place on Earth to register the impacts of increasing emissions from fossil fuel consumption. This photo shows NOAA's South Pole Observatory in the distance.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_1275/public/legacy/image/2019/Jun/Photo%20-%20SouthPole%20Station%20_%20P%20Cullis_NOAA%20photo.jpg?h=300d6c85&itok=xg9O1bOy)
NOAA's South Pole Observatory. (Image credit: Courtesy of Patrick Cullis/CIRES)