Posted on 03/13/2006 3:53:09 PM PST by blam
Sharp rise in CO2 levels recorded
By David Shukman
BBC science correspondent
Scientists fear high carbon levels will trigger sudden changes
US climate scientists have recorded a significant rise in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, pushing it to a new record level.
BBC News has learned the latest data shows CO2 levels now stand at 381 parts per million (ppm) - 100ppm above the pre-industrial average.
The research indicates that 2005 saw one of the largest increases on record - a rise of 2.6ppm.
The figures are seen as a benchmark for climate scientists around the globe.
The chief carbon dioxide analyst for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) says the latest data confirms a worrying trend that recent years have, on average, recorded double the rate of increase from just 30 years ago.
"We don't see any sign of a decrease; in fact, we're seeing the opposite, the rate of increase is accelerating," Dr Pieter Tans told the BBC.
The precise level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is of global concern because climate scientists fear certain thresholds may be "tipping points" that trigger sudden changes.
The UK government's chief scientific adviser, Professor Sir David King, said the new data highlighted the importance of taking urgent action to limit carbon emissions.
"Today we're over 380 ppm," he said. "That's higher than we've been for over a million years, possibly 30 million years. Mankind is changing the climate".
Yes, they do get snow in the Mojave Desert
Do you suppose the researcher breathed on the machine to remove lint?
It's dead, Jim (Kyoto).
Someone better tell Russ Feingold to shut up.
Will obviously require a massive increase in federal spending to conduct further research.
So what was mankind doing 30 million years ago?
I demand to talk to the "scientist" that verified the calibration of the pre-industrial CO gas measurement equipment. Actually, I just want to see the schematic diagram for the device. Unless somebody is making an extrapolated SWAG about what could have been.....
Excellent. Being pro-global warming sure is fun. It looks like all my efforts to contribute to global warming are really starting to pay off. I think this weekend I will let all my cars idle in the driveway all afternoon, and to make sure I am doing all I can I plan to fire up all my old lawnmowers and let them burn needlessly through a few tanks of gas so they will spew some extra Co2 into the atmosphere.
All the farmers in previously cold climates will thank me later.
global concern because climate scientists fear certain thresholds may be "tipping points" that trigger sudden changes
Professor Sir David King, said the new data highlighted the importance of taking urgent action to limit carbon emissions.
"That's higher than we've been for over a million years, possibly 30 million years. Mankind is changing the climate".
The good Professor has convinced me. His insightful observations and keen sense of the obvious are what did it. He is sure that something bad is going to happen.
Good enough for me. I'm sure he will tell us what is going to happen, sooner or later.
Oh, and stop all industry related pollution, now.
We must return to the levels of, possibly, 30 million years ago.
Or I fear bad things might happen.
Gee, in the last 400,000 years, that never happened before!
< /sarc >
Good.. more time at the beach.
Cartman farted.
LLS
Anybody got any extra left over spam or TP from Y2K ?
Anybody seen Freeper Jethro Tull lately?
BUSH'S FAULT!!!
WOO HOO!!! First one!
Now if we could just build that wind farm off Martha's Vineyard, a coal fired powerplant could be shutdown...
Democrats exhale.
Oh, for crying out loud. The Brits are such pansies.
At one time the had the most powerful empire in the world. Now they are slinking around in their own neighborhoods in fear of teenagers with bb guns.
What a bunch of woosies.
Just plant a ton of trees, it's amazing what a little photosynthesis will do. Plus we can irresponsibly hack them down in a few years just for laughs....
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