25 October, 2016

'Milestone': Global greenhouse gas levels accelerate past key marker

The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rising at the fastest rate on record, new research shows.

The level of CO2 – a potent greenhouse gas – is on course to rise 3.3 parts per million this year, an acceleration from 3 ppm in 2015, said Paul Fraser, an honorary CSIRO fellow.

"It will be the highest [rate of growth] we've ever seen," Dr Fraser told Fairfax Media, citing data collected at the north-west Tasmanian site at Cape Grim, the premier global atmospheric tracking centre in the southern hemisphere.

CO2 levels at Cape Grim are now at 401.7 ppm and, given the smaller seasonal fluctuation than in the northern hemisphere, are certain to remain above 400 ppm for many years.

Read Peter Hannam’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “'Milestone': Global greenhouse gas levels accelerate past key marker.”

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