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387.27ppm
Atmospheric CO2 for December 2009
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CO2 Data Set: |
Original data file created by NOAA on Thursday January 7, 2010 (14:19:55) |
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Measuring Location: |
Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii |
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Data Source: |
Earth Systems Research Laboratory (ESRL) / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) |
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Why is CO2 significant? |
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the chief greenhouse gas that results from human activities and causes global warming and climate change. To see whether enough is being done at the moment to solve these global problems, there is no single indicator as complete and current as the monthly updates for atmospheric CO2 from the Mauna Loa Observatory. |
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What is the current trend? |
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What level is safe? |
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 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.
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Read more...
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In 2009, the average concentration for atmospheric CO2 (Mauna Loa Observatory) was 387.35 parts per million (ppm). In 2008, it was 385.57 ppm.
Since the 1958 start of precise 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 following CO2 data provides a snapshot of the longest-running, high-precision instrument record for atmospheric CO2: |
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Read more...
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Emissions from fossil fuels
Global Carbon Project Fossil fuel CO2 emissions continued to grow strongly in 2008 at 2% per year. This growth lead to an all time high of 8.7 PgC emitted to the atmosphere (1 Pg = 1 billion tons or 1000 x million tons), 29% above emissions in 2000, and 41% above the Kyoto reference year 1990. Coal is now the largest fossil-fuel source of CO2 emissions. Over 90% of the growth in coal emissions results from increased coal use in China and India.
>>>>read more>>>>
GCP Carbon Budget '08 | Emissions from fossil fuels and cement
GCP Carbon Budget '08 | Regional fossil fuel emissions
GCP Carbon Budget '08 | Emissions from land use |
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CO2 Removal by Natural Sinks
Global Carbon Project Natural land and ocean CO2 sinks removed 57% (or 5.3 PgC per year) of all CO2 emitted from human activities during the 1958-2008. During this period the size of the natural sinks has grown but at a slower pace than emissions have grown, although year to year variability is large. This implies a decline in the efficiency of the sinks in removing atmospheric CO2 over time (from 60% fifty years ago down to 55% in recent years), a trend expected to continue the future. Models suggest the sinks are responding to climate change and variability.
>>>>read more>>>>
GCP Carbon Budget '08 | CO2 removal by natural sinks
GCP Carbon Budget '08 | CO2 ocean sink
GCP Carbon Budget '08 | CO2 land sink |
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