Climate Alarm: Soaring CO₂ Levels Threaten Lives and Livelihoods
News Desk
Islamabad: In a stark warning to the world, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels have soared to 430.2 parts per million (ppm) — the highest recorded in millions of years — according to new data from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.
The measurement, taken at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, marks a 3.5 ppm increase from May 2024, when the level was 426.7 ppm.
The Mauna Loa Observatory is globally recognized for providing the most consistent long-term data on atmospheric CO₂, serving as a benchmark for climate research.
“Humanity has not witnessed this level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in at least three to five million years,” a Scripps Institution spokesperson said. “We are entering uncharted territory.”
The data underscores the accelerating pace of climate change, largely driven by the continued burning of fossil fuels. Scientists warn that without immediate action, the world will continue to see increasingly extreme weather events, including intense heatwaves, prolonged droughts, devastating floods, and rising sea levels.
Beyond climate disruptions on land, the escalating CO₂ levels are also having a damaging impact on marine ecosystems. Ocean acidification — caused by the ocean’s absorption of excess atmospheric CO₂ — is impairing the ability of corals, shellfish, and plankton to build protective shells and skeletons, threatening biodiversity and global food security.
While the Mauna Loa Observatory provides key global data, regional variations exist. Some monitoring stations in the Southern Hemisphere, where seasonal patterns differ from the North, have not yet reached the 430 ppm mark.
Still, the global trend remains alarming, as data from the Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network a compilation of readings from worldwide monitoring stations feeds into critical scientific assessments and international climate policies.
The latest figures have triggered renewed calls for urgent, equitable climate action. At the recent Astana International Forum, climate experts and policymakers emphasized the need for inclusive solutions that address the needs of both developed and developing nations. Discussions focused on accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy and reinforcing climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
“This is not a future problem — it is already affecting lives and livelihoods around the world,” said one panellist. “We have the tools, but we lack the urgency.”
The timing of the data release coincides with growing climate-related challenges in regions such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where erratic weather and declining agricultural productivity are intensifying food insecurity and economic stress.
As preparations for the COP30 climate summit intensify, scientists hope that the unprecedented CO₂ milestone will galvanize global leaders to act swiftly and decisively.
“Each year of inaction closes the window of opportunity for a livable future,” climate researchers warn. “The science is clear. The time for talk is over — it’s time for action.”
