How much co2 is in the atmosphere

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Current Atmospheric CO2 Levels

Historical CO2 Concentrations

Pre-Industrial and Early 20th Century CO2 Levels

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has seen significant changes over the past centuries. In the pre-industrial era, CO2 levels were estimated to be between 250 and 290 parts per million by volume (ppmv) 45. By the early 20th century, around 1900, the concentration had increased to approximately 290 ppmv .

Mid-20th Century CO2 Levels

By 1950, the atmospheric CO2 concentration had risen to about 268 ppmv, marking an 18% increase since 1850 . Continuous measurements starting in 1958 recorded a CO2 concentration of 315 ppmv, which further increased to 345 ppmv by the late 20th century .

Modern CO2 Concentrations

Current Levels and Recent Trends

As of recent measurements, the atmospheric CO2 concentration has reached approximately 407.38 ppmv, averaged over the year 2018 . This level is significantly higher than any recorded in the past 800,000 years, based on ice core data . The current rate of increase is about 2.4 ppmv per year .

Factors Contributing to CO2 Increase

The primary drivers of the increase in atmospheric CO2 are the combustion of fossil fuels and changes in land use, such as deforestation 15. Fossil fuel emissions alone have contributed significantly to the rise, with an estimated 10.0 GtC (gigatonnes of carbon) per year as of 2018 . Additionally, the reduction of terrestrial biomass has also played a role, although its exact contribution is less certain .

Implications and Future Projections

Climate Impact

The increase in atmospheric CO2 is a major concern due to its impact on global climate. Higher CO2 levels contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and associated climate changes . The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that stabilizing CO2 levels at around 350 ppmv might be necessary to avoid severe climate impacts .

Long-Term Trends

Historical data indicate that current CO2 levels are unprecedented in the context of the last 23 million years, with present-day concentrations exceeding those during the Miocene epoch . This highlights the significant disruption of long-established CO2 trends due to human activities.

Conclusion

The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased dramatically from pre-industrial levels of around 250-290 ppmv to current levels of over 407 ppmv. This rise is primarily due to fossil fuel combustion and land use changes. The ongoing increase in CO2 levels poses a significant threat to global climate stability, necessitating urgent action to mitigate emissions and stabilize atmospheric CO2.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels as indicated by the stable isotope record in wood

The stable isotope record in wood provides a valuable method for assessing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels due to fossil fuel combustion, providing a valuable baseline for future predictions.

1974·

67citations

·J. G. Farmer et al.

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Reservoir Changes

The increase in atmospheric CO2 content since 1850 has been 18 percent, with major sinks for fossil fuel CO2 being thermocline regions of large oceanic gyres.

Highly Cited

1978·

258citations

·M. Stuiver

Targets for stabilization of atmospheric CO2

A target of 350 ppmv for atmospheric CO2 stabilization is recommended, until proven safe, until further research is conducted on higher values.

Highly Cited

1997·

153citations

·C. Azar et al.

Evidence from polar ice cores for the increase in atmospheric CO2 in the past two centuries

The atmospheric CO2 concentration has increased from 250-290 p.p.m.v. preindustrial times to 345 p.p.m.v. today, with a new ice core from Siple Station providing valuable data for understanding the role of CO2 and climate sensitivity.

Highly Cited

1985·

627citations

·A. Neftel et al.

Input of excess CO2 to the surface ocean based on 13C/12C ratios in a banded Jamaican sclerosponge

The amount of excess CO2 derived from the terrestrial biosphere is 38% of that from fossil-fuel sources, supporting a preindustrial CO2 concentration of 280 p.p.m.v. in the atmosphere.

Highly Cited

1986·

126citations

·E. Druffel et al.

A 23 m.y. record of low atmospheric CO2

Current atmospheric CO2 levels exceed the highest levels experienced since the Miocene, highlighting the disruption of long-established trends within Earth's atmosphere.

2020·

63citations

·Ying Cui et al.

Global Carbon Budget 2019

The global carbon budget provides a useful tool for understanding the global carbon cycle and developing climate policies.

Highly Cited

2019·

2692citations

·Corinne Le Quéré et al.

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations over the last glacial termination.

The Southern Ocean played a key role in atmospheric carbon dioxide increase during the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene, with processes in the tropics and Northern Hemisphere also having significant effects.

Highly Cited

2001·

1265citations

·É. Monnin et al.

Placing atmospheric CO2 in perspective

Atmospheric CO2 levels have increased by 40 ppm in the past century, contributing to a global temperature increase of 0.2 K, but since 1940, global atmospheric temperature has been decreasing, indicating other factors are more important in determining the overall heat balance of the world.

1971·

4citations

·A. Watt

Ice core record of the 13C/12C ratio of atmospheric CO2 in the past two centuries

Human activities have led to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and a change in its isotopic composition, providing a data base for testing global carbon cycle models.

Highly Cited

1986·

1114citations

·H. Friedli et al.

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