Rabat – Carbon dioxide levels in the earth’s atmosphere in May were 50% higher than the pre-industrial era, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
This is the first time in about 4 million years that the planet sees greenhouse gas concentrations of this level, the agency added.
The amount of CO2 has also passed the threshold of 420 parts per million (ppm), compared to 315 ppm when the NOAA first started collecting data in the 50s, and an estimated 280 ppm before the industrial revolution.
The NOAA says 280 ppm was the level humans maintained for nearly 6,000 years of civilization.
Concerningly, the last time CO2 levels were this high, sea levels were five to 25 meters higher, enough to submerge many of the Earth’s major cities.
CO2 is a greenhouse gas which means it traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and global warming.
Since the industrial revolution, greenhouse gas levels have grown exponentially from emissions from vehicles, factories, and other industrial activities.
Scientists have been ringing alarm bells concerning climate change for decades, warning that it is one of the most imminent dangers facing our species.
Solutions include implementing green energy solutions like solar and wind power over big domains such as manufacturing, although many scientists think it is already too late to solve the problem and that we should instead focus on mitigating the effects.
Read also: Africa’s Development Bank: Morocco’s Climate Change Strategy Is ‘Exemplary’
