The study, in the June 19 issue of the journal Science, is the latest to rule out a drop in CO2as the cause for earth's ice ages growing longer and more intense some 850,000 years ago. But it also confirms many researchers' suspicion that higher carbon dioxide levels coincided with warmer intervals during the study period.
The authors show that peak CO2 levels over the last 2.1 million years averaged only 280 parts per million; but today, CO2 is at 385 parts per million, or 38% higher.
Carbon Dioxide Higher Today Than Last 2.1 Million Years
The authors show that peak CO2 levels over the last 2.1 million years averaged only 280 parts per million; but today, CO2 is at 385 parts per million, or 38% higher.
Carbon Dioxide Higher Today Than Last 2.1 Million Years