Climate crisis: CO2 surge now 10 times faster than historic rates
Under the ice cover accumulated over thousands of years lies the history of carbon dioxide fluctuations, providing insight into Earth's climate from 50,000 years ago.
Scientists from Oregon State University, studying ice samples from Antarctica, have demonstrated that the current rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is occurring 10 times faster than at any other time in the last 50,000 years. Research conducted on an ice core from a depth of about 3 kilometres allowed researchers to reconstruct atmospheric changes from past millennia. Despite observing natural fluctuations in CO2 levels in the past, the study results confirm that current changes are alarming. The conclusion is clear: fluctuations in CO2 concentration have never been so rapid.
The climate catastrophe is accelerating
Years ago, during the so-called Heinrich Event, carbon dioxide levels changed by 14 parts per million (ppm) over 55 years. Similar changes happen every 5-6 years today, indicating a tenfold acceleration. This, in turn, affects global water circulations and climate changes.
Christo Buizert from Oregon State University explained that the so-called Heinrich Event triggered a chain reaction, affecting the tropical monsoon and westerly winds and releasing CO2 from the oceans.
Ice cores as time capsules
Ice research from Antarctica is crucial for understanding ancient climates, facilitated by low temperatures that have not exceeded 0°C for hundreds of thousands of years. Although the oldest samples date back to 2.7 million years, only a small part of the Antarctic ice sheet is suitable for research due to dynamic environmental conditions.
Kathleen Wendt from Oregon State University described that the current rate of CO2 emissions increase, largely driven by human activity, is the fastest in recorded history.
As the scientists indicated, measurements of carbon dioxide concentration at Mauna Loa show that in 2023 it reached 426 ppm, which is significantly higher compared to previous years. These effects were partially explained by the El Niño phenomenon, but the accelerating climate changes affect billions of people worldwide.
Kathleen Wendt added that the Southern Ocean, which has so far served as a CO2 sink, is losing its ability to accumulate this gas. Consequently, significant changes in ocean water circulation could occur, further worsening the climate situation.
