Levels of CO2 ‘are set to hit 3million-year high’

CARBON dioxide levels are set to overtake those of the hottest period of the last 3.3million years by 2025, research has warned.

During the Pliocene Epoch, the planet peaked at a record 3C warmer than today, as CO2 levels in the atmosphere reached 380 to 420 parts per million (ppm), a University of Southampton study of seabed fossils has found.

And today the atmosphere is back up to around 415 ppm, showing us ‘what is likely in store’ for the climate.

Study co-author Dr Thomas Chalk said: ‘Currently, our CO2 levels are rising at about 2.5 ppm per year, meaning that, by 2025, we will have exceeded anything seen in the last 3.3million years.’