The world’s most watched carbon dioxide observatory on Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano has reported a record high seasonal peak concentration of the greenhouse gas, exceeding 430 parts per million for the first time.
Measuring carbon dioxide levels since 1958, scientists have long known that concentrations increase every year. However, this year’s reading is different. According to Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps CO2 Program, “Another year, another record.” The alarming rise in carbon dioxide levels is largely driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.
Climate change has become a pressing issue, with scientists attributing its causes to rising carbon dioxide concentrations and their subsequent impact on natural weather events. In 2023, researchers found that CO2 levels were higher than ever recorded since human history, surpassing even the last ice age’s atmospheric concentration of 14 million years ago.
The recent rapid increase in CO2 levels has raised concerns globally. Last year, the average level rose at a rate faster than any other point on record. The ongoing climate pattern El Niño contributed to this phenomenon.
Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory, established in 1958, serves as the global benchmark for monitoring carbon dioxide concentrations. Its measurements provide valuable insights into the state of the atmosphere in the northern hemisphere. Eruptions at the observatory forced scientists to set up a temporary site nearby in 2022. The research highlights the urgent need to address rising CO2 levels and their impact on our planet’s climate.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/05/mauna-loa-sets-new-record-for-carbon-dioxide/84040707007