CO2 levels have been going up up up in my lifetime. 1960- the present.
400ppm.
We are there.
The atmosphere of planet earth now contains 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide. This is the first time in human history that we’ve hit this milestone. The last time we had this much greenhouse gas in the air was several million years ago. Back then, the Arctic was ice-free and sea level was 131 feet higher than it is today.
Way back in the early 1970’s, when my science nerd of a dad was explaining the “greenhouse effect” to me while we sat in lines waiting to gas up the car, the CO2 level was hovering around 320-325 parts per million. Deep down, I knew that we’d be coming to this place in my lifetime. My dad is no longer here, if he were he would be as concerned scared as I am about what will happen as this number continues to rise. This rise is not a straight line, it is an exponential curve. What that means is that the numbers are increasing faster and faster.
As these numbers climb higher and higher, extreme weather such as storms and droughts become more frequent occurrences. This will directly impact our food supply, our homes, our very existence. I’m not being melodramatic here, how I wish I was just being a drama queen. The science backs up what I’m saying.
David Roberts does a great job of explaining the story of climate change. You can watch here:
(If the YouTube video doesn’t show up, here’s the link: http://youtu.be/pznsPkJy2x8 )
What does that mean for you and me?
It means we have a lot of work to do. If you haven’t done so already, visit 350.org and get involved.
