Carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere at highest levels

(DAILYMAIL)14MAY 2019 - In a new and disconcerting milestone for human-induced climate change, Earth’s concentration of CO2 has reached levels never before seen in human history.

According to measurements from the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, atmospheric CO2 has hit 415 parts per million, eclipsing record highs recorded in Arctic Ice samples that date back 800,000 years.

The precedent was noted on Twitter via Eric Holthaus, a meteorologist and journalist for the online magazine, Grist. ‘This is the first time in human history our planet’s atmosphere has had more than 415 ppm CO2,’ said Holthaus in a tweet.

Carbon dioxide is the biggest contributor to climate change around the globe and stays in the atmosphere for many years after its emitted, making it possible for the effects to compound over long periods of time.

Even if the world were to stop emitting CO2 altogether, gases could continue to warm the planet for centuries say some researchers.