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".
My suggestion is that they clear Washington DC of all the senators and congressman. That should take care of the CO2 levels.
As near as I can figure, this pretty much settles it: we are all doomed. The only thing left to do is to destroy all mechanical contrivances, abandon our dwellings, and wander into the wilderness to await out inevitable demise.
Of course, we will need a small cadre of breeding age humans to repopulate the planet once it is brought back into its natural balance. Fortunately, Dr. Strangelove foresaw the need for just such a plan some years ago and no doubt the source code for his computer selection of suitable candidates can be located and brought up to date. Naturally, senior government officials and scientists, of the proper political persuasion, would have to be included. And someone would have to be put in charge, I think Al Gore may still be available.
"Today we're over 380 ppm," he said. "That's higher than we've been for over a million years, possibly 30 million years."
IOW, no correlation between carbon levels and temperature variations. Unless it's hotter now than at anytime in the last million years.
We get it here too...and welcome it...in the Sonoran Desert!
His proof is...
Remember the flick " The Arrival ??" Aliens producing high concentrations of CO2 in Mexico . Burritos do that also .
May I suggest we turn most of the ME into a vast lake.
Do you think I need to clean the litter box?
It's hard to take seriously someone's complex climate modeling projections when they are math illiterate.
They get the historic CO2 levels from ice-core and tree ring analysis.
Even if the level of CO2 is increasing, it that truly the cause of global warming. What if the earth was exogenously being warmed by the sun at greater levels than in the past. Would this contribute to an increase in CO2?
There you go again, trying to use science and facts to confuse the political inevitability of this issue.
Yep, and the ice samples like Vostok shows CO2 preceded by warming, sometimes by 1000 years.
Has anyone else noticed the word 'may' in all their spouting. I could come out and say that 'too many ants may cause global warming'. Just goes to show that they DON'T KNOW what the hell they're talking about!
..Houston....I think they've got a problem
Really? I learn something everyday. I like my tree idea better - in a few years we can wack them down to build my new house and leave the spotted owl homeless.....
How could this rise in CO2 be happening now that Europe and Canada have signed the Kyoto Treaty? This is not possible.
A sharp rise in Methane and sulphur was recorded,But it was soon discovered that Howard Dean was giving a speech nearby.
Volcanoes. And trees. Cut the trees and plug the volacanoes.
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