Increased atmospheric CO2 levels primarily lead to global warming and ocean acidification. Rising temperatures cause melting ice caps, sea level rise, and disrupted ecosystems.

 Increased atmospheric CO2 levels primarily lead to global warming and ocean acidification. Rising temperatures cause melting ice caps, sea level rise, and disrupted ecosystems. The increased acidity of oceans negatively impacts marine life, particularly those with shells and skeletons. Human health can also be affected by high CO2 concentrations, leading to various respiratory and other issues. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Climate Change:

Greenhouse Effect:

CO2 is a greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the atmosphere. Increased CO2 levels amplify this effect, leading to a rise in global temperatures. 

Global Warming:

The most direct consequence is a warming planet, with potential for severe impacts on weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems. 

Melting Ice:

Higher temperatures cause glaciers and ice sheets to melt, contributing to sea level rise. 

Ocean Acidification:

CO2 dissolves into the ocean, forming carbonic acid and lowering the pH (increasing acidity). This impacts marine life, particularly shellfish and coral reefs, which rely on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons. 

Extreme Weather:

Climate change is predicted to lead to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and storms. 

Ecosystem Disruptions:

Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can disrupt ecosystems, leading to shifts in species distributions and potential extinctions. 

Health Impacts:

Respiratory Issues:

High CO2 levels can cause headaches, sleepiness, and a feeling of stuffy air. At higher concentrations, it can lead to rapid breathing, confusion, and even death by suffocation if oxygen is depleted. 

Nutritional Deficiencies:

Rising CO2 levels can reduce the nutritional value of crops, potentially leading to increased deficiencies in iron, zinc, and protein, especially in vulnerable populations. 

Other Impacts:

Agricultural Impacts:

Changes in climate and CO2 levels can affect crop yields and agricultural practices. 

Water Resources:

Melting glaciers and altered precipitation patterns can impact water availability and quality. 

Economic Impacts:

The costs associated with climate change (e.g., damage from extreme weather, infrastructure repairs, etc.) are significant. 

AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more

National Oceanic 

Jul. 4, 2025 428.23 ppm

Jul. 4, 2024 426.19 ppm

1 Year Change 2.04 ppm (0.48%)

Last CO2 Earth update: 2:35:02 AM on Jul. 5, 2025, Hawaii local time (UTC -10)

Latest daily averages (last 10 days)

Latest One year ago Change from previous year

Date Reading Date Reading

Jul. 4, 2025 428.23 ppm Jul. 4, 2024 426.19 ppm 2.04 ppm increase (0.48 %)

Jul. 3, 2025 428.72 ppm Jul. 3, 2024 425.61 ppm 3.11 ppm increase (0.73 %)

Jul. 2, 2025 428.57 ppm Jul. 2, 2024 425.23 ppm 3.34 ppm increase (0.79 %)

Jul. 1, 2025 429.35 ppm Jul. 1, 2024 425.74 ppm 3.61 ppm increase (0.85 %)

Jun. 30, 2025 428.99 ppm Jun. 30, 2024 425.38 ppm 3.61 ppm increase (0.85 %)

Jun. 29, 2025 Unavailable Jun. 29, 2024 424.65 ppm 

Daily averages for last 10 years on Jul. 4

Date Reading Annual change

Jul. 4, 2025 428.23 ppm 2.04 ppm increase (0.48 %)

Jul. 4, 2024 426.19 ppm 3.41 ppm increase (0.81 %)

Jul. 4, 2023 422.78 ppm 2.79 ppm increase (0.66 %)

Jul. 4, 2022 419.99 ppm 2.35 ppm increase (0.56 %)

Jul. 4, 2021 417.64 ppm 2.11 ppm increase (0.51 %)

Jul. 4, 2020 415.53 ppm 3.14 ppm increase (0.76 %)

Jul. 4, 2019 412.39 ppm 2.74 ppm increase (0.67 %)

Jul. 4, 2018 409.65 ppm 2.46 ppm increase (0.60 %)

Jul. 4, 2017 407.19 ppm 0.76 ppm decrease (-0.19 %)

Jul. 4, 2016 407.95 ppm n/a

 

Daily CO2 10 years apart on Jul. 4 (Last 6 Decades)

Decade Date Reading Decadal change Average annual change

Latest Decade Jul. 4, 2015 Unavailable n/a n/a

2 Decades Ago Jul. 4, 2005 Unavailable n/a n/a

3 Decades Ago Jul. 4, 1995 364.05 ppm n/a n/a

4 Decades Ago Jul. 4, 1985 348.69 ppm 15.36 ppm increase (4.41 %) 1.54 ppm

5 Decades Ago Jul. 4, 1975 332.62 ppm 16.07 ppm increase (4.83 %) 1.61 ppm

6 Decades Ago Jul. 4, 1965 322.37 ppm 10.25 ppm increase (3.18 %) 1.03 ppm

 

Highest daily readings each year (last 10 years) Highest reading for year Previous year high Change from previous years high

Year Date Reading Date Reading

2025 May. 10, 2025 431.25 ppm Apr. 26, 2024 428.59 ppm 2.66 ppm increase (0.62 %)

2024 Apr. 26, 2024 428.59 ppm Apr. 28, 2023 425.01 ppm 3.58 ppm increase (0.84 %)

2023 Apr. 28, 2023 425.01 ppm Apr. 26, 2022 422.06 ppm 2.95 ppm increase (0.70 %)

2022 Apr. 26, 2022 422.06 ppm Apr. 8, 2021 421.36 ppm 0.70 ppm increase (0.17 %)

2021 Apr. 8, 2021 421.36 ppm Jun. 1, 2020 418.56 ppm 2.80 ppm increase (0.67 %)

2020 Jun. 1, 2020 418.56 ppm May. 15, 2019 415.87 ppm 2.69 ppm increase (0.65 %)

2019 May. 15, 2019 415.87 ppm May. 14, 2018 412.64 ppm 3.23 ppm increase (0.78 %)

2018 May. 14, 2018 412.64 ppm Apr. 26, 2017 412.87 ppm 0.23 ppm decrease (-0.06 %)

2017 Apr. 26, 2017 412.87 ppm Oct. 4, 2016 409.55 ppm 3.32 ppm increase (0.81 %)

2016 Oct. 4, 2016 409.55 ppm Jun. 14, 2014 402.78 ppm 6.77 ppm increase (1.68 %)