Global CO2 hits 408.96 ppm in April 2018

On July 5, NOAA ESRL published the preliminary April, 2018 global CO2 results. The world reached 408.96 ppm, up 2.63 ppm over April, 2017. 

This continues the monthly increases above 2 ppm for the fifth month, without a boost often associated with an El Nino. It continues the slow acceleration of atmospheric CO2 concentration buildup.

While April 2017 to 2018 increase was 2.63 ppm, the five and ten year change in CO2 makes the accelerating trends more apparent. 

The 2018 concentration was 12.44 ppm above April 2013, and was the 26th month with an approximate 12 ppm increase. 

The change between 2018 and April 2008, was in increase of 22.67 ppm, supporting the slowly accelerating rate of increase of CO2 concentration. It is the 21st consecutive month with a 10 year change above 22 ppm.

It is likely that April will be the peak global CO2 concentration for this year. However if  trends hold, we are on track to exceed 410 ppm globally between February to April, 2019. That will be the first time in human history the planet will experience a 10 ppm change on CO2 concentration in 48 months - or perhaps less. 

This trend that takes us toward future climate disaster that we want to avoid. 

A continued increase of 10 ppm every 48 months places us on track to double preindustrial CO2 (280 ppm) by 2080. Further increases in emissions may put us on the path of adding 10 ppm every 36 months, which potentially shortens the time to doubling (560 ppm) into the 2060's.

Global CO2 Future Estimates 10 ppm Increases
Year	60 month		Year	48 month		Year	36 month
2015	400		2015	400		2015	400
2020	410		2019	410		2018	410
2025	420		2023	420		2021	420
2030	430		2027	430		2024	430
2035	440		2031	440		2027	440
2040	450		2035	450		2030	450
2045	460		2039	460		2033	460
2050	470		2043	470		2036	470
2055	480		2047	480		2039	480
2060	490		2051	490		2042	490
2065	500		2055	500		2045	500
2070	510		2059	510		2048	510
2075	520		2063	520		2051	520
2080	530		2067	530		2054	530
2085	540		2071	540		2057	540
2090	550		2075	550		2060	550
2095	560		2079	560		2063	560
2100	570		2083	570		2066	570
2105	580		2087	580		2069	580
2110	590		2091	590		2072	590
2115	600		2095	600		2075	600

The world being left to future generations will not be with world we live in today. As Christine LaGarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, stated in Riyadh in October, 2017, "If we do not do anything about climate change now, in fifty years’ time we will be toasted, roasted and grilled.” 

Source: Christine LaGarde,  “Future Investment Initiative,” Day 1, The Big Shift: What New Frameworks are Needed to Understand the Future? Panel Discussion, (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: October 24, 2017),