| Atmosphere Monthly | March 2010 |
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Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii (USA) Atmospheric CO2 was 389.91 parts per million (ppm) in February 2010, according to scientific data released March 10, 2010, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. Atmospheric CO2 was 387.41 ppm one year earlier in February 2009. 
capacity of the land and oceans to absorb it. The absorption of CO2 by oceans slows the rate of increase in atmosphere levels and raises the acidity of the oceans. |
This month, you may notice that Atmosphere Monthly is starting to change. Some things are scaled back. Some additions and improvements have been made. As one example, global temperature data is presented for the first time in this edition of Atmosphere Monthly. These types of changes will continue over the next few months. At the same time, work has started on an upcoming Wish for Zero special edition. Look for this upcoming special edition to focus on what people like Bill Gates are saying about the need and ways to get global emissions dropping quickly toward zero. The coming Wish for Zero special edition is, in fact, inspired by Bill Gate's recent TED Talk called Innovating to Zero. You can hear him by watching the video that is embedded further down in this newsletter. Thank you for reading through the March edition of Atmosphere Monthly. |
CO2 Data
February 2010: 389.91 parts per million (ppm)
February 2009: 387.41
February 2008: 385.72
February 2007: 383.76
February 2006: 382.19
February 2005: 379.70
February 2004: 377.87
February 2003: 375.63
February 2002: 373.08
February 2001: 371.44
February 2000: 369.82
February 1990: 354.72
February 1980: 338.26
February 1970: 325.99
February 1960: 316.97
February 1959: 316.38
High-precision instrument readings started March 1958 at the Mauna Loa Observatory. To learn more about the discovery of CO2 measurements, read about Dr. Dave Keeling of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Data:
>> NOAA CO2 Trends [NOAA/Scripps data] [Scripps data]
>> Data Table (republished at CO2Now)
>> CO2 Rate of Change (processed at CO2Now)
Global Climate Update: 6th warmest February in 131 years
The global climate update makes its debut this month in Atmosphere Monthly. This brief report presents global temperature and sea ice data for the latest calendar month. The data comes from a number of leading scientific institutions around the world. The information comes from a detailed State of the Climate Global Analysis that is presented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. The detailed report is linked below.
Global Temperature
In the past 131 years, global surface temperature measurements for February were the sixth warmest in February 2010. The global average includes land and ocean surface temperatures.
NOAA-NCDC | State of the Climate -- Global Analysis for February 2010
CO2Now | Global Temperature Update
Sea Ice Extent
Net Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extent for the February 2010 was 1 million square kilometres below the 1979-2000 average. At 1.1 million square kilometres below average, Arctic sea ice extent was the fourth lowest for February since satellite records began, behind 2005, 2006, and 2007. Increases in Antarctic sea ice extent were small relative to losses in the Arctic.
NSDIC | Arctic Sea Ice News | Quick facts on Arctic (and Antarctic) sea ice | Ice FAQs
Sato & Hansen | Sea Ice Area
How do we know the Earth's climate is warming?
Many lines of scientific evidence show the Earth's climate is changing. NOAA’s National Climate Data Center presents seven global climate change indicators.
NOAA-NCDC | Global climate change indicators
Climate Progress | All the data you need to show that the world is warming
Innovating to Zero Can we end poverty and AIDS without ending the climate crisis? Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says ‘no.’ That’s why he’s now talking about what it will take to end global warming and related planetary problems like climate change.
“We put out a lot of carbon dioxide every year: over 26 billion tons....it’s an average of about 5 tons for
everyone on the planet. Somehow we have to make changes that will bring that down to zero.”~ Bill Gates (Innovating to Zero)
Bill Gates asked leading climate scientists what is needed to turn things around. They told him we need to cut global emissions to near zero. This sobering prescription sets the stage for his 27-minute TED Talk he calls Innovating to Zero. You can hear him directly in the video below. As you watch, pay attention to the way he uses math to present the scale of the problem and the solutions that are needed in response.
Inspired by the thinking behind Innovating to Zero, a special Edition of Atmosphere Monthly is now in the works. The focus will be on the importance of zero emissions targets for personal and global efforts to end the climate crisis. For this reason, the current issues are being scaled back.
To make sure you receive the special Wish for Zero special edition as soon as it hits the net, click here and subscribe to Atmosphere Monthly.
“Until we get to ‘near to zero,’ the temperature will continue to rise.”
~ Bill Gates (Innovating to Zero)
Leading climate scientists say the upper safety limit for CO2 levels in the atmosphere is 350 parts per million (ppm). Atmospheric CO2 levels are now pushing past 390 ppm. They are rising faster than ever. Every extra part per million adds heat and stress to the planetary system that would not otherwise be there.
What will it take to stabilize atmospheric CO2 in the atmosphere? The IPCC explains:
A 50% reduction would stabilise atmospheric CO2, but only for less than a decade. After that, atmospheric CO2 would be expected to rise again as the land and ocean sinks decline owing to well-known chemical and biological adjustments.
What will it take to go beyond stabilization? What will it take to get atmospheric CO2 falling back to levels of less than 350 ppm? The IPCC explains:
Complete elimination of CO2 emissions is estimated to lead to a slow decrease in atmospheric CO2 of about 40 ppm over the 21st century.
This information is presented at CO2Now.org and Atmosphere Monthly by Pro Oxygen, an independent, Canadian enterprise. Pro Oxygen is working to promote carbon literacy for people and businesses around the world. The ultimate aim is to empower individuals and groups with information and tools that actually help people 'fix the atmosphere.' In short, that means practical steps that can lead to emission cuts deep and fast enough to get CO2 falling back below the upper safety limit for the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.
You are invited to take a moment and check out these tools...these atmosphere-fixing tools:
Monitor Earth’s CO2 Home Page.
Subscribe to Atmosphere Monthly.
Follow CO2Now on Twitter.
Study the data for atmospheric CO2.
Monitor the latest global temperatures.
Add a CO2Now widget to your site.
Treat these tools as your own. Feel free to share them widely. If you have an extra minute,
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It would be great to hear from you!
Data that is less than a year old is generally considered preliminary. This data is subject to adjustments by the institution that originally published the data. Whether the data is fresh or well aged, CO2Now presents the source scientific data in its most current form. It does this without filters, rounding or processing. Most of the source data that CO2Now features is generated by the following scientific institutions:
>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
>Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) [MLO CO2 Data] [CO2 Trends]
>National Climate Data Center (NCDC) [State of the Climate]
>Scripps Institution of Oceanography [CO2 Data]
‘Green Liberty’ by Climate Artist Frank James (used with permission)
Photo of Polar Mesospheric Clouds, Southern Hemisphere by NASA Earth Observatory
'Heron fishing at sunset' cc World through the Lens
All other images and artwork is a licensed, copyright work or copyright Pro Oxygen. Email us for details or questions.
The direct and indirect contributions of scientiists, artists and all others are graciously appreciated.
This edition of Atmosphere Monthly is proudly sponsored by Netscribe Communications Inc., maker of the Twavel iPhone app.
Atmosphere Monthly is distributed worldwide by email and online at CO2Now.org. It is the official newsletter for the CO2Now.org website. Atmosphere Monthly is published without subscription fees by Pro Oxygen of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Michael McGee, Editor
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Phone: 250-884-6760 (Canada)
Skype: michael_mcgee
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