Carbon Dioxide Levels Hit New Record, Breaching 430 Parts Per Million

Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere reached a new milestone last month, surpassing 430 parts per million (ppm) for the first time in recorded history. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, revealed the findings Thursday morning, marking a significant increase from the previous year's level of 429 ppm.
The announcement comes as NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, opted to share the data through social media posts on X and Facebook rather than issuing a traditional press release. This departure from usual protocol raises questions about the agency's approach to communicating critical climate data. NOAA's director of communications, Kim Doster, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The milestone underscores the urgent need for global action to address rising greenhouse gas levels and their impact on climate change. Scientists warn that continued increases in CO2 concentrations will exacerbate extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and other environmental challenges.

Published: 6/5/2025