Here's a record for you...the carbon dioxide, CO2, level in the atmospheric has reached its highest level EVER. EVER, as in its NEVER EVER happened before.
According to readings taken at Mauna Loa Observatory, the laboratory that been taking continuous measurements of CO2 in the atmosphere for the past 61 years, the CO2 level there reached 415 parts per millions. This is also the highest level ever recorded in the last 800,000 years, when using data from ice cores and other sources.
This statistic is important because of carbon dioxide being a greenhouse gas, it having a long life span in the atmosphere and because of its impact on the Earth's atmospheric temperature.
Greenhouse gases help regulate the Earth's atmospheric temperature. The more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the warmer the atmosphere and planet. So, the more the CO2 in the atmosphere, the warmer the atmosphere.
A warmer atmosphere has major implications for life on this planet and the weather and climate that takes place.
For instance, its known in the meteorological world that a warmer atmosphere can hold more water. This would be more water for storms to use. And those who live in Maryland know all to well about heavy rain storms. For instance, the City of Baltimore received record rainfall during 2018.
With CO2 being a by-product of fossil fuel burning, it seems that CO2 will continue to increase its concentration in the atmosphere as long as fossil fuels continue to be used. And new CO2 record levels will be set.
