ISLAMABAD (PEN) : New atmospheric data has revealed that carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels on Earth have reached an unprecedented 430.2 parts per million (ppm), the highest concentration recorded in millions of years. The alarming figure, released by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, underscores growing concerns over climate change and its escalating impact on human health and the environment.
Record-Breaking Levels Tracked at Mauna Loa Observatory
The data, collected at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, showed a year-on-year increase of 3.5 ppm from May 2024, when levels stood at 426.7 ppm. Mauna Loa’s readings serve as the global benchmark for atmospheric carbon monitoring due to its consistency and accuracy.
“Humanity has not witnessed this level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in at least three to five million years,” a Scripps Institution spokesperson stated. “We are entering uncharted territory.”
Climate Consequences Already Unfolding
Scientists link the rising CO₂ levels directly to human-driven fossil fuel consumption. The build-up of greenhouse gases is intensifying climate-related disasters, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, and increasingly erratic weather systems.
In addition to terrestrial climate impacts, marine ecosystems are also under threat. Elevated CO₂ concentrations are accelerating ocean acidification — a process that compromises the survival of shell-forming marine life such as corals, plankton, and mollusks, with cascading effects on biodiversity and food chains.
Regional Differences and Global Monitoring
While the 430 ppm threshold has been recorded in the Northern Hemisphere, some monitoring stations in the Southern Hemisphere — where seasonal variations differ — have yet to reach this level. Nevertheless, the Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network, which consolidates atmospheric data worldwide, confirms the overall upward trend.
Health and Food Security Under Threat
Experts caution that the consequences of rising CO₂ levels are no longer abstract or future-facing. Regions such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are already experiencing climate-induced food insecurity and public health challenges due to erratic rainfall, extreme heat, and reduced agricultural productivity.
“This is not a future problem — it is already affecting lives and livelihoods around the world,” said a panelist during the recent Astana International Forum. “We have the tools, but we lack the urgency.”
Renewed Urgency Ahead of COP30
The new data has reignited global calls for aggressive climate action. At the Astana forum, international leaders and climate experts emphasized the need for inclusive, equitable climate solutions that balance the responsibilities and capabilities of both developed and developing nations.
Despite repeated scientific warnings, global emissions continue to rise. Climate scientists warn that without a rapid shift away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy, the world faces escalating instability.
With the COP30 summit on the horizon, the latest figures are expected to intensify pressure on policymakers to take decisive, coordinated action.
