Climate change

Report: Fastest-Ever Jump in CO2 Levels Recorded in 2024

JAN 17 2025·Updated JAN 20 2025

Story

Above: A warning sign posted next to dead trees near drought-shrunken Horseshoe Lake on July 28, 2022. Image credit: David McNew/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels recorded at Hawaii's Mauna Loa Observatory showed an increase of 3.58 parts per million in 2024, the largest annual rise since measurements began in 1958.
Met Office
France 24
According to the UK weather service, the unprecedented CO2 rise was driven by record-high fossil fuel emissions, widespread wildfires across the US, and weakened natural carbon sinks such as tropical forests, and was further amplified by El Niño conditions.
guardian
France 24
Global CO2 concentrations reached 427 parts per million in 2024, far exceeding the pre-industrial level of 280 parts per million. Scientists further project a significant rise of 2.26 parts per million in 2025.
Businessgreen
Met Office
The record CO2 increase also coincided with the warmest year on record, as temperatures surpassed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time in human history.
Down To Earth
Businessgreen
The elevated CO2 levels further contributed to record-breaking atmospheric moisture content — with water vapor levels 4.9% above the 1991-2020 average — leading to intensified extreme weather events worldwide.
Down To Earth
This comes as the recent wildfires in Los Angeles caused estimated damages of $275B, destroyed over 12.3K structures, and killed at least 24 people, potentially becoming the costliest wildfire disaster in US history.
Earth.Org

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Narrative A

This rapid CO2 increase highlights an urgent need for immediate and substantial emissions cuts. Current trajectories are incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C and threaten to unleash more severe climate impacts and potential tipping points that could devastate communities worldwide.

New Scientist

ICJ Kenya

Narrative B

It's unfair to blame ongoing fossil fuel use as the fundamental driver for the CO2 spike when temporary factors like El Niño and wildfires partially influence it. Additionally, renewable energy sources face several challenges; it's better to reduce fossil fuel energy consumption than replace it in its entirety.

Resilience

Regen Power

Narrative C

The West is quick to declare dates for achieving net-zero carbon emissions, but instead of upping its game for more aggressive emissions cuts, it keeps pushing economically weaker nations to prevent the most dangerous impacts of global warming. The global transition from fossil fuels must prioritize vulnerable communities to attain climate goals.