Atmosphere Journal Entry

Carbon Dioxide Reaches Record Levels (March 26, 2004)

Scientists say the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached record levels in 2003. Just as alarming, levels of the greenhouse gas increased at a faster rate than has ever been observed before. The conclusions were reached after months of observation from the top of the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii.

Carbon dioxide is the largest contributor to the greenhouse effect responsible for global warming. A growing number of scientists say the rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in recent decades is mostly due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.

Along with other greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide forms a blanket around the planet that prevents the Sun's heat from escaping back into space. Global temperatures rose about one degree Fahrenheit over the 20th century.

Climatologists say big changes are on the way if Earth keeps getting hotter. Climate will be disrupted, sea level will rise, polar and glacial ice will melt, and weather patterns will become more and more extreme and unpredictable.

The level of carbon dioxide rose about 3 parts per million over the past year, from 376 ppm to 379 ppm. This is a jump of 167% over the average annual increase of 1.8 ppm over the past decade, and 300% more than the yearly increase of 1 ppm recorded fifty years ago.

The scientists aren't sure what is causing the increase. It may be the result of the rise of industry in Asia, particularly in China and India, but more research needs to be done. Whatever the cause, scientists are concerned the warming itself will create even more warming in what is known as "positive feedback." Warmer air triggers the release of even more carbon dioxide from the ocean and soil, which in turn raises temperatures.

Some computer models predict that carbon dioxide levels could reach staggering levels of 650 to 970 ppm by the year 2100. Global temperatures could rise between 2.7 and 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit in that time.