2015 State of the Climate: Carbon Dioxide

Using measurements taken worldwide, scientists estimated that 2015’s global average carbon dioxide concentration was 399.4 parts per million (ppm), a new record high. At Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawai’i, where atmospheric carbon dioxide has been recorded longer than anywhere else in the world, the annual average carbon dioxide concentration was 400.8—also a new record, and a new milestone.

MLO Science Fair Awards

Every year MLO contributes to the local Science Fair event. This year Samantha Yamamoto & Maile Birlhante won the junior research award with their project 'Light Dispersing'. Kendra Puleo won the second award with 'Ocean acidification effect on the food chain.' Kylan K. Sakata won the senior division award with 'Verifying special relativity over time dilation through moon decay at variable altitudes' and Moana Lily Pinner won the second award with 'Investigating the SPF, anti-oxidant and anti cancer potential of turmeric and ginger.'

Record annual increase of carbon dioxide observed at Mauna Loa for 2015

The annual growth rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide measured at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii jumped by 3.05 parts per million during 2015, the largest year-to-year increase in 56 years of research.

American Chemical Society honors measurement set at NOAA observatory

The American Chemical Society designated the Keeling Curve – a long-term record of rising carbon dioxide in the planet’s atmosphere -- as a National Historic Chemical Landmark in a ceremony April 30 at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.

MLO Science Fair Awards

Every year the Mauna Loa Obervatory contributes to the local Science Fair event. This year, Halia Buchal won the junior research award with the project titled: Purple or Green? Does Leaf Color Affect How Plants Respond to Different Colors of Light? The Senior research recipent Keanu D. Pinner won the senior division award with the project titled: Activation of the Hepatocyte Antioxidant Response by Kava Secondary Metabolites.

2013 State of the Climate: Carbon dioxide tops 400 ppm

On May 9, 2013, the daily average concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, where the modern record of observations began back in 1958. Other Northern Hemisphere sites also reported CO2 concentrations exceeding 400 ppm in 2013. By summer, the high concentrations at these sites had dropped as vegetation began taking up carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

Greenhouse gases top 400 ppm for three months in a row at Mauna Loa

For the first time since carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been measured, the levels of this greenhouse gas at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, have been above 400 parts per million every single day for three straight months.

Heat-trapping gas concentrations top 400 ppm, two months earlier than last year

Over the last five days beginning on March 16, 2014, carbon dioxide levels have surpassed 400 parts per million at NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. This is nearly two months earlier than last year when the concentration of this greenhouse gas was first recorded above 400 parts per million on May 9, at the historic NOAA observatory.

Carbon Dioxide at NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory reaches new milestone: Tops 400 ppm

On May 9, the daily mean concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time since measurements began in 1958.