Human emissions are the primary cause of the unprecedented increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. Researchers have found that today’s rate of increase is ten times faster than any previous sudden increase in carbon dioxide over the past 50,000 years. This rapid increase is concerning as it may lead to the ocean losing its ability to bind human carbon dioxide emissions.
In the past, changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have been linked to ice ages. Scientists analyze Antarctic ice to understand the historical chemical composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. They have found that the fastest natural increases in carbon dioxide over 50,000 years were around 14 parts per million by volume (ppm) in 55 years. Today, the same amount of carbon dioxide accumulates in just five to six years, leading to a tenfold growth rate.
Previous sudden increases in carbon dioxide, known as Heinrich events, were associated with large iceberg break-offs during the Ice Age. These events changed winds in the southern hemisphere, releasing plumes of carbon dioxide into the air from the ocean. Researchers believe that similar events may be occurring now due to climate change strengthening westerly winds in the Southern Ocean, leading to a decrease in the ocean’s ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The findings of this research were published in Pnas science magazine and highlight
