San Diego: Earth’s carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels have hit a record 430.2 parts per million (ppm), the highest in millions of years, according to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.
The measurement in May 2025 at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii shows a 3.5 ppm increase over the past year. Scientists attribute the surge to ongoing fossil fuel use, warning it poses an urgent threat to human health and the climate.
The spike is linked to extreme weather events, including heat waves, floods, and prolonged droughts. It is accelerating ocean acidification, which is endangering marine ecosystems.
“We are entering uncharted territory,” said a Scripps spokesperson. Though CO₂ levels vary by region, global monitoring through the Greenhouse Gas Reference Network confirms the trend is widespread.
Experts at the Astana International Forum emphasized urgent and equitable action to cut emissions. Without swift change, they warn, the world faces deepening instability.
Despite explicit warnings, emissions continue rising. As the COP30 summit nears, scientists hope this record will jolt leaders into action.
