Here are some facts about carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air:

 The highest recorded level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere was 426.90 parts per million (ppm) in May 2024, as measured at NOAA's Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory. This was the fifth-largest annual increase in the observatory's 50-year record. 

Here are some other facts about atmospheric CO2:

The global average CO2 level in 2023 was 419.3 ppm. 

CO2 levels are 50% higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution. 

The increase in CO2 over the last 60 years is 100 times faster than natural increases that occurred 11,000–17,000 years ago. 

The ocean has absorbed enough CO2 to make it 30% more acidic. 

The rapid increase in CO2 threatens the world with climate breakdown, including droughts, floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. 

Before humans started burning fossil fuels, CO2 levels were around 280 ppm for almost 6,000 years. 

Here are some facts about carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air:

Levels

In 2023, the average concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere was 419.3 parts per million (ppm), which is 50% higher than before the Industrial Revolution. 

Causes

Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy production, are the primary cause of the increase in CO2 levels. 

Effects

CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. 

Duration

Once added to the atmosphere, CO2 can remain for 300 to 1,000 years. 

 

Natural sources

Animals exhale CO2 as a waste product, and small amounts of CO2 occur naturally in the atmosphere. 

Indoor levels

The amount of CO2 indoors depends on several factors, including the number of people, how long the area has been occupied, and the amount of fresh air coming in. 

Health effects

High levels of CO2 can cause headaches, sleepiness, and other health issues. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends a threshold limit value (TLV) of 5,000 ppm fo

r an 8-hour period.