Record-high carbon dioxide levels in North-West Tasmania worry scientists; Global warming and ocean acidification alert sounded

Southern Hemisphere carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have risen above the 400ppm limit, and this has made scientists worried. The 400ppm level is a significant marker for rising greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming and ocean acidification. An important atmospheric monitoring station in north-west Tasmania confirmed the status that this level has been breached for the first time.

Paul Krummel, who heads the CSIRO team analysing data from the most important site in the southern hemisphere, and his team revealed that the levels crossed on May 10, 8am local time. Last week, Cape Grim station the “unfortunate” mark that made global warming imminent. Cape Grim is the only station that analyses baseline carbon levels in the southern hemisphere.

The Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station is jointly operated by the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO. The station measures presence of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere such as nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide and ozone-depleting gases like aerosols.

Krummel told Fairfax Media that the breach of CO2 level came sooner than expected and the levels just skyrocketed. Reaching the 400ppm mark signifies a rising emissions problem, and the rate at which greenhouse gas emissions are rising is a matter of serious concern. He also pointed out that the tremendous rise in carbon dioxide levels is probably due to “El Nino effects on the CO2.”

“It's probably one of the last places on Earth to actually reach this milestone, and it just highlights the ever-increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Globally, this is going to contribute to rising temperatures, which we are already seeing in the atmosphere. It's another milestone that we've reached where it's indicating that the health of the planet is probably in trouble,” Krummel told the ABC.

El Niño conditions make it impossible for plants to grow and suck up carbon dioxide. The weather pattern causes extremely hot and dry conditions. This year’s El Niño is being attributed for causing massive coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef.

A huge global effort to curb emisions is the need of the hour to push back CO2 levels form 400ppm. Many regions in the world are experience terribly hot conditions that are unusual for May. Parts of Alaska are reportedly warmer by 15 degrees. Sydney is five degrees above average in May, and Australia as a whole has experienced the warmest autumn on record.

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