Atmospheric CO2 hits record high, fuels global warming

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have reached a record high, exceeding 430 parts per million, a level not seen in millions of years, according to new data released Thursday. The measurements, taken by NOAA and UC San Diego, show an increase of over 3 ppm from last year, indicating insufficient efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists warn that CO2 levels could reach 500 ppm within the next three decades. This rise in CO2, primarily from burning fossil fuels, contributes to global warming and its associated consequences. The data, tracked by the Keeling Curve, highlights the rapid increase since the Industrial Revolution and the alarming pace of change.