This statistic represents the average level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere worldwide between the 1880s and 2018. In 2015, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere surpassed 400 parts per million. Since the beginning of the first measurements in 1959, there has been a constant increase in concentration of CO2. In the early 1960s, the greenhouse gas rose about 0.7 parts per million per year. Over the last ten years, it has been rising at about 2 parts per million per year. Before the Industrial Revolution began in the 19th century, the global average level of carbon dioxide was around 280 parts per million.
The global per capita emissions of carbon dioxide can be found here.
Average level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere worldwide between the 1880 and 2018, by decade
(in parts per million)
Data from March 1958 through April 1974 have been obtained by C. David Keeling.
* Estimate based off of previous reports.
CO2 expressed as a mole fraction in dry air, micromol/mol, abbreviated as ppm
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (March 12, 2019). Average level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere worldwide between the 1880 and 2018, by decade (in parts per million) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/280006/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Average level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere worldwide between the 1880 and 2018, by decade (in parts per million)." Chart. March 12, 2019. Statista. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/280006/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2019). Average level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere worldwide between the 1880 and 2018, by decade (in parts per million). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 10, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/280006/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Average Level of Carbon Dioxide (Co2) in The Atmosphere Worldwide between The 1880 and 2018, by Decade (in Parts per Million)." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Mar 2019, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/280006/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Average level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere worldwide between the 1880 and 2018, by decade (in parts per million) Statista, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/280006/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2/ (last visited November 10, 2024)
Average level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere worldwide between the 1880 and 2018, by decade (in parts per million) [Graph], National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, March 12, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/280006/atmospheric-concentration-of-co2/
