It’s Not Just a Phase

H. Holck

Contrary to popular opinion, Earth is not just going through another natural atmospheric ‘phase.’ The increase in atmospheric CO₂ is not another fluctuation of natural trends. In 2016, the U.S. released over 6,511 million metric tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere, thereby contributing to the increase in atmospheric CO_2.* A study published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that today’s CO₂ levels drastically exceed historical levels.

NOAA used sensitive methods to measure atmospheric CO₂ concentration over the past 800,000 years. In the past century, atmospheric CO₂ has increased rapidly unlike past trends when CO₂ concentration rose and fell but never exceeded 300 ppm. Although some might argue that today’s highs are just typical fluctuations of the graph, 2017’s atmospheric concentration is 30% higher than it has been for the last 800,000 years. Recent atmospheric CO₂ significantly rose from natural variation where CO₂ oscillated between 180 and 300 ppm.

NOAA discovered a significant increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration, above the historical high of 300 ppm, to a new record high of 405 ppm in 2017. Because current levels deviate so significantly from historical levels, today’s CO₂ concentration cannot be characterized as just another natural atmospheric ‘phase.’ Raising awareness about high atmospheric CO₂ concentration might lead to more activism to bring CO₂ below 300 ppm. Since fossil fuel consumption produces 93% of CO₂ emissions, alternative energy sources could help reduce atmospheric CO₂.*** Bringing down CO₂ concentration to historical levels could restore the Earth’s atmosphere, paving the way for a brighter, greener future.*

* https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases#carbon-dioxide

**NOAA. Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. 2018.

*** Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks. 2019.