Antarctic Weather Station Reports Atmospheric CO2 At New Record - 394 PPM - Reuters

[hatrack]

TROLL STATION, Antarctica - Atmospheric levels of the main greenhouse gas have set another new peak in a sign of the industrial rise of Asian economies led by China, a senior scientist said on Saturday.

"The levels already in January are higher than last year," said Kim Holmen, research director of the Norwegian Polar Institute, during a visit to the Troll scientific research station in Antarctica by Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Holmen said measurements at a Norwegian station high in the Arctic showed levels of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, were around 394 parts per million, up about 1.5 parts per million from the previous records early in 2008.

The levels have risen by about a third since the start of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, in tandem with more use of fossil fuels in power plants and factories, and defying recent international efforts to cut back.

The carbon levels usually peak just before the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere, where most of the world's industries, land masses and plants are found. Levels then dip because plants soak up carbon dioxide as they grow.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/46517/story.htm

[XemaSab]

1. Troll Station?

Is that where they do the research that suggests that it's natural warming cycles/sunspots/volcanoes/the wrath of Jeebus? :shrug:

Or (on edit) is that where they do the research that indicates that Global Warming is Good for You (tm)? :shrug:

[tom_paine]

2. No, it's an outpost from Lord of the Rings.

It looks into Mordor, where Sauron's Eye stares out.

:evilgrin:

[XemaSab]

3. Well no wonder CO2 readings are up...

Surrounded by all those mountains you probably get some terrific inversion layers, and all the particulates and other emissions spewed out not just by the Orc forges but the volcanoes too have just GOT to sit there. :eyes:

:P

(PS I told you it was volcanoes :P :P )