Growth in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Sets 12-Month Record, Scripps Reports
Growth in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Sets 12-Month Record, Scripps Reports Times of San Diego
sdgtalks
The Mauna Loa Observatory Records Record Increase in Carbon Dioxide Levels
Introduction
The monthly average concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere measured at Mauna Loa Observatory in March showed a record 12-month increase, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography announced Wednesday.
Located 11,135 feet above sea level on the Big Island of Hawaii, the observatory conducts the official measurements for the Keeling Curve, which has tracked the increase in carbon dioxide levels since 1958.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Record Increase in Carbon Dioxide Levels
“We sadly continue to break records in the CO2 rise rate,” said Ralph Keeling, director of the CO2 program at Scripps. “The ultimate reason is continued global growth in the consumption of fossil fuels.”
Keeling is the son of Charles Keeling, who began the measurements and received the National Science Medal from President George W. Bush for his groundbreaking climate work.
The reading at the observatory in March was 4.7 parts per million higher than that recorded in March 2023. The previous record jump was 4.1 parts per million from June 2015 to June 2016, when strong El Niño conditions influenced global weather patterns.
Concerns about Climate Change
The current level of over 426 parts per million is over a third higher than when measurements began 65 years ago.
Scientists are concerned about the increase in CO2 because it is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
“This recent surge shows how far we still need to go to stabilize the climate system,” said Keeling. “Stabilization will require that CO2 levels start to fall. Instead, CO2 is rising faster than ever.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which is a major contributor to climate change. Therefore, it is connected to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
The article highlights the need to stabilize the climate system and reduce carbon dioxide levels. These targets address the actions needed to combat climate change and its impacts.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production
- Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
The article does not explicitly mention these indicators, but they are relevant to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators focus on measuring the impact of climate-related hazards, the integration of climate change measures into policies and planning, and the integration of climate change education into curricula.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters | Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production |
| Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning | Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: timesofsandiego.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
