Average annual atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) reached a record high of 421.08 parts per million (ppm) in 2023. Monthly atmospheric CO₂ concentrations peaked that year in May, at 424 ppm.
Human activities have caused CO₂ concentrations to soar
Annual CO₂ concentrations consistently averaged around 280 ppm before the industrial revolution began, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, the mass burning of fossil fuels and deforestation over the past two centuries has released trillions of tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. This has caused atmospheric CO₂ levels to climb more than 50 percent above pre-industrial levels.
Impacts of high atmospheric greenhouse gas levels
The rapidly rising concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are worrying news for the planet, as they contribute to the climate crisis. GHGs like CO₂, methane, and nitrous oxide trap heat radiating from the planet’s surface, preventing it from escaping into space. This causes Earth’s atmosphere to heat and increases sea surface temperatures. Higher surface temperatures can unleash severe weather conditions such as extreme heat, droughts, and a higher frequency of high-intensity tropical storms.
Average carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere worldwide from 1959 to 2023
(in parts per million)
Characteristic
Concentration in parts per million
2023
421.08
2022
418.53
2021
416.41
2020
414.21
2019
411.65
2018
408.72
2017
406.76
2016
404.41
2015
401.01
2014
398.81
2013
396.74
2012
394.06
2011
391.85
2010
390.1
2009
387.64
2008
385.83
2007
384.02
2006
382.09
2005
379.98
2004
377.7
2003
375.98
2002
373.45
2001
371.32
2000
369.71
1999
368.54
1998
366.84
1997
363.88
1996
362.74
1995
360.97
1994
358.96
1993
357.21
1992
356.54
1991
355.7
1990
354.45
1989
353.2
1988
351.69
1987
349.31
1986
347.61
1985
346.35
1984
344.87
1983
343.15
1982
341.48
1981
340.12
1980
338.76
1979
336.84
1978
335.41
1977
333.84
1976
332.03
1975
331.13
1974
330.19
1973
329.68
1972
327.46
1971
326.32
1970
325.68
1969
324.62
1968
323.05
1967
322.18
1966
321.37
1965
320.04
1964
319.62
1963
318.99
1962
318.45
1961
317.64
1960
316.91
1959
315.98
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* Observations starting in December 2022 are from a site at Maunakea Observatories, 21 miles north of the prior location at Mauna Loa Observatory.
Data from March 1958 through April 1974 have been obtained by C. David Keeling.
Data has been measured at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii as it constitutes the longest record of direct carbon dioxide measurements in the atmosphere.
CO₂ expressed as a mole fraction in dry air, micromol/mol, abbreviated as ppm.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, & ESRL. (January 5, 2024). Average carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere worldwide from 1959 to 2023 (in parts per million) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1091926/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2-historic/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, und ESRL. "Average carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere worldwide from 1959 to 2023 (in parts per million)." Chart. January 5, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1091926/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2-historic/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, ESRL. (2024). Average carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere worldwide from 1959 to 2023 (in parts per million). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1091926/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2-historic/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and ESRL. "Average Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Levels in The Atmosphere Worldwide from 1959 to 2023 (in Parts per Million)." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1091926/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2-historic/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration & ESRL, Average carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere worldwide from 1959 to 2023 (in parts per million) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1091926/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2-historic/ (last visited December 12, 2024)
Average carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere worldwide from 1959 to 2023 (in parts per million) [Graph], National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, & ESRL, January 5, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1091926/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2-historic/