Scripps scientists have previously estimated that humanity’s emissions would need to drop by 20 percent to 30 percent for at least six months to result in a noticeable slowing of the rate of increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Total annual emissions are currently expected to rise at their second-fastest pace ever this year as countries recover from the pandemic and global coal burning approaches its all-time high, led by a surge of industrial activity in Asia. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere currently varies by about 10 parts per million over the course of a year. The May average first topped 400 parts per million in 2014 — a milestone that attracted worldwide media coverage. The latest full-year average, for 2019, was 409.8 parts per million, about 46 percent higher than the preindustrial average of 280.

Source: International New York Times June 07, 2021 21:11 UTC