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CO2 levels in the atmosphere have been steadily increasing over the past century, primarily due to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes. Recent measurements show that atmospheric CO2 concentrations have surpassed 400 parts per million, reaching levels not seen in at least 800,000 years. This trend contributes significantly to global warming and climate change, prompting urgent calls for mitigation strategies.
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Has there been CO2 in the atmosphere forever?
Yes, many times in the past we have seen higher levels then today. Since 1850 we have been on a slightly upward trend in CO2 levels. This appears to be a normal reaction to the warming climate which began 10,200 years ago. Whenever we see a rise in temperature for a long period of time, we see that CO2 follows (never leads) the trend. No CO2 in the atmosphere would kill off almost all plant life and with it, all animal life. CO2 levels may have change the past 150 years by as much as 0.008% (in total concentrations in our atmosphere 300 ppm to 380 ppm).
When the temperature rises is there more carbon dioxide in the air?
Yes, carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere will always follow temperature. This is because the oceans our the primary method of removing CO2 frm our atmosphere. Water dos not absorb CO2 as well as it warms. This is why we see a direct relation between temperature and CO2 levels. CO2 will typically follow temperature changes by about 800 years.
Is carbon dioxide steadily increasing?
The reasons behind the rise in CO2 are in dispute, but burning trees and fossil fuels, combined with deforestation and volcanic activity, are the main cited causes. From 1960 to 2011, the Parts Per Million of CO2 in the atmosphere has gone from 310 PPM to 394 PPM. The average Global mean land-ocean temperature has been erratic, and may have increased 4 degrees C in 1960-2011 (wikipedia, global warming), but that is not enough to account for the CO2 rise. Charts showing the rise in carbon dioxide can be seen at the link below. __________________________________________________________________ The short answer to this question is disputably yes. There is a great deal of evidence and understanding on why CO2 levels have been rising for the past 10,000 years. This is due, in part, to the method the planet absorbs CO2. Over 75% of all CO2 absorption is through our open waters. Being more specific, it is through the open waters of the Northern Ocean. Water absorbs CO2 more readily in periods of cool temperatures and absorbs more slowly as temperatures warm. This is why we see CO2 levels will always follow temperature by some 800 years. This is not to say that some additions to the current levels of CO2 in our atmosphere are not man induced. It does point out however, that there is a natural issue also involved as temperatures have warmed some 11 degrees this current cycle.
Why do levels of Carbon Dioxide remain constant?
The amounts of any gas is a variable in our air. CO2, in our atmosphere has varied from 0.8 to as low as 0.027%. It is currently at 0.038% in much of the industrialized world. It still remains lower some areas, like Antarctica. We are still much lower in CO2 levels then many times in our past. The oceans are the big regulator here. They create 94% of all CO2 and absorb it back if levels get higher then the earth can support. If the planet warms, oceans absorb slightly less CO2 per day and that is why we see these variable levels. Forests are another large source of CO2. If we see fires or rotting trees they are giving off CO2. The vegetation on the floor of the forest is also giving off levels of CO2. Oxygen is very similar. It varies in concentrations in many area and temperature zones as well. Forests, for example, will have a higher concentration of oxygen.
How much in percentage is CO2 in the air?
0.039% is the amount in the earth's atmosphere.A:What is "normal" though is certainly an interesting question. Last March the atmosphere is said to have contained 0.0391% CO2. Currently we are at that same amount. Historically, the world's most prominent science experts of the period, claimed roughly that same level was what we considered normal. Some of these science experts received noble prizes for their work. Modern science experts though view things slightly differently. Many are claiming that the 90,000 measurements made over the past 150 years were all high and that the real number was about 300 ppm or lower. Both sides of this argument agree that the number is somewhere in between.In any event our atmosphere has seen levels that vary due to fluctuations in temperature. The normal number will follow the current climate trends. In periods where temperature fall, CO2 will follow and fall. The normal will be lower during these periods. In periods where the temperature will rise, like the past several hundreds of years, we will see CO2 levels naturally rise.
Has there been CO2 in the atmosphere forever?
Yes, many times in the past we have seen higher levels then today. Since 1850 we have been on a slightly upward trend in CO2 levels. This appears to be a normal reaction to the warming climate which began 10,200 years ago. Whenever we see a rise in temperature for a long period of time, we see that CO2 follows (never leads) the trend. No CO2 in the atmosphere would kill off almost all plant life and with it, all animal life. CO2 levels may have change the past 150 years by as much as 0.008% (in total concentrations in our atmosphere 300 ppm to 380 ppm).
What happens to the climate if you put extra greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
The climate you currently experience will change as the planet warms.A:There is no reliable evidence that levels of CO2 above 100PPM have any increased effect in the real world, although the IPCC and other political groups do make this claim. The bulk of green house gas is water vapor and these levels change change in the atmosphere from 0% to 5% rapidly with no corresponding temperature change. In fact, while the IPCC claims a 6% jump in CO2 over the past decade, the data shows a slight cooling trend. Historically, every cooling trend has started during times of high CO2 and every warming trend (including this one) has started during unusually low CO2 levels. We can clearly see, from actual data, that CO2 follows temperature and never has led it. (see links)
When the temperature rises is there more carbon dioxide in the air?
Yes, carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere will always follow temperature. This is because the oceans our the primary method of removing CO2 frm our atmosphere. Water dos not absorb CO2 as well as it warms. This is why we see a direct relation between temperature and CO2 levels. CO2 will typically follow temperature changes by about 800 years.
How have the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere recently changed?
The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has recently increased.The planet has maintained a level of CO2 of around 280 parts per million by volume (ppmv) for the past few thousand years. This was 0.028% of the atmosphere.Direct measurements of CO2 over recent decades show that CO2 has risen to nearly 390 ppmv. This is an increase of 39%, and observations show CO2 is still rising.The change is small relative to the entire volume of the atmosphere, but the relative volume of CO2 has increased dramatically. This doesn't mean that historical CO2 has been constant forever. If we go back hundreds of thousands of years, we can see changes that correspond to past ice ages. Historical CO2 data is derived from ice cores in the Antarctic. The oldest record is from Vostok, but there are many others, and they show close agreement with each other.Historical CO2 levels are not relevant to the theory of climate change, but they do allow us to constrain climate sensitivity. By examining how much past changes in temperature changed CO2 concentrations, and how those changes in CO2 also changed temperature, we can learn more about the feedback between temperature and CO2.One common misconception is that the ocean can absorb all the CO2 we emit. This is clearly false, since CO2 levels are rising, and the extra CO2 can be traced to fossil fuel sources.A:The planet has never maintained any consistent level of CO2. Vostok records are our only historical source of direct measurements and show variations of between 260 and 320 ppm over the past 650K years. Vostok is a remote location in Greenland where we obtain ice samples. Currently CO2 levels here are about 280 ppm. Direct measurements of CO2 over recent decades show that CO2 has risen to nearly 390 ppmv in some areas such as Manua Loa Hawaii. This is an increase of 39%, and observations show CO2 is still rising there. The trend has been observed since 1979, when measurements started. The current belief is that this trend started as long as 10,000 years ago, shortly after the current warming trend started. Glacial samples agree that from a planetary stand point with this theory.The change is extremely small relative to the entire volume of the atmosphere, but the relative volume of CO2 appears to have increased by as much as 0.007%. Historically CO2 levels have always followed temperature by as much as 800 years. Historical CO2 data is derived from ice cores in the Antarctic. The oldest record is from Vostok.There is a general consensus that the levels of CO2 have indeed climbed and we understand this is a normal condition due to the warming of our oceans (The largest absorption of CO2 occurrs in our oceans). Wamer water absorbs CO2 more slowly. The current warming of our planet started roughly 10,200 years ago and could be a significant factor for this increase.
More about CO2?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that is naturally present in the Earth's atmosphere. It plays a vital role in the Earth's carbon cycle, as plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis. However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, have led to an increase in CO2 levels, which contributes to global warming and climate change. Efforts to reduce CO2 emissions are crucial in combating climate change.
Have levels of greenhouse gases changed?
Yes, levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, have been increasing steadily in the Earth's atmosphere over the past century due to human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. These gases trap heat and contribute to global warming and climate change.
How can you get CO2 out of the air?
CO2 can be removed from the air through natural processes like photosynthesis by plants, algae, and trees, which absorb CO2 and release oxygen. Additionally, carbon capture and storage technologies can be used to capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes or power plants before releasing them into the atmosphere.
How does the increase in carbon dioxide result in an icrease in earth temputer?
The theory goes that any three atom gas is capable of retaining more energy, thus warming the atmosphere. In the real world, we have yet to see this occur. Carbon dioxide levels have always followed temperature by up to 800 years. EVERY cooling period to date, according to glacial records, has occurred during times of CO2 levels in excess of 300 ppm. Every warming period, including this one (which started 10,200 years ago) has occurred in low CO2 periods. In practice, CO2 will follow temperature. The temperature has steadied the past few decades, so we should see CO2 levels start falling in a few hundred years.
Why do you expect seasonal variation in the atmospheric CO2 levels?
Global carbon dioxide levels are highest in May and lowest in October. The Northern Hemisphere has much more land for vegetation to grow on compared to the Southern Hemisphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) builds up slowly during the northern winter, when trees and plants are dormant. Then in May everything begins to grow, and CO2 is taken out of the atmosphere, so the levels start coming down. In October and November vegetation stops growing, and in its dormant state it stops absorbing CO2, so the carbon in the atmosphere increases. These levels go up and down like this every year. The readings for 1958, 1959 and 1960 show this: 1960: May: 320.5 ppm: October: 314.5 ppm 1959: May: 320.0 ppm: October: 313.5 ppm 1958: May: 318.0 ppm: October: 313.0 ppm Ppm means parts per million, so 320 ppm is the same as 0.032 percent (per hundred). The recent readings for May are: 2011: 394.35 ppm 2010: 393.22 ppm 2009: 390.18 ppm See the graph at the link below.
Why does the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rises slightly in the summer and falls in the winter?
In a typical year the levels are high in May and low in October.The Northern Hemisphere has much more land for vegetation to grow on compared to the Southern Hemisphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) builds up slowly during the northern winter, when trees and plants are dormant. Then in May everything begins to grow, and CO2 is taken out of the atmosphere, so the levels start coming down. In October and November vegetation stops growing, and in its dormant state it stops absorbing CO2, so the carbon in the atmosphere increases. These levels go up and down like this every year.The readings for 1958, 1959 and 1960 show this:1960: May: 320.5 ppm: October: 314.5 ppm1959: May: 320.0 ppm: October: 313.5 ppm1958: May: 318.0 ppm: October: 313.0 ppmPpm means parts per million, so 320 ppm is the same as 0.032 percent (per hundred).The recent readings for May are:2012: 396.78 ppm2011: 394.35 ppm2010: 393.22 ppm2009: 390.18 ppmSee the graph at the link below.
On the global level how do CO2 emission levels differ from country to country?
They differ from country to country in many ways. Depends really on what you are actually looking for. See links below to get more info on global CO2 emissions.
Why do we care about CO2 emissions?
In terms of global warming, CO2 thickens the atmosphere layer, resulting in less infrared rays being able to escape into space. These infrared rays get trapped inside the atmosphere, and warm up the air and surface on Earth. It is known as the Greenhouse effect. The more CO2 emissions we put out into the atmosphere, the thicker it gets, which will lead to global warming. See the following web pages for further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
