Increases in Carbon Dioxide in the Environment

Carbon dioxide is one of the most common greenhouse gases that are found in the atmosphere. This and other greenhouse gases are among the major concerns regarding global warming throughout the world. The increases in carbon dioxide are among the most important factors to watch for global warming.

One of the most important factors involving the increases in CO2 relates to how industrialization has impacted the environment. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration there were approximately 280 parts per million by volume of carbon dioxide in the days before the Industrial Revolution. While the Revolution has helped to make the world better and has helped to make life easier for many people it has created a greater amount of carbon dioxide in the environment. In 2005 there was an estimate of about 370 ppmv of carbon dioxide.

Even in the most remote parts of the world the levels of carbon dioxide have been increasing. This is a reason of this greenhouse gas forcing the ice caps to melt. Over the past fifty years levels of carbon dioxide have increased in Mauna Loa, Hawaii. In 1955 the number was at about 310 ppmv. In 2005 that number was at 370 ppmv. Every decade this number has increased at a steady rate. While it is true that carbon dioxide is created from volcanoes in the area of Hawaii these volcanoes have not been as active in the twentieth century as they were earlier.

The industrialization of China has become an important factor in global warming. While China is becoming more of an international power the factories and vehicles that are becoming more commonplace there are hurting the environment. In fact, China is currently on pace to pass the United States as the country that produces more carbon dioxide than any other in the world.

Some of the increases in CO2 come from the evolution of the cars that people drive. While sport utility vehicles are especially popular among drivers there are various different SUV vehicles that are not good in terms of emissions in that they use more fuels and therefore will create higher levels of carbon dioxide. Hybrid vehicles that produce little or no carbon dioxide emissions, including hybrid SUVs, are being produced but even those cannot completely reduce the creation of carbon dioxide on the roads.

The increases in CO2 are among the most important concerns in global warming to watch for. The amount of carbon dioxide in the environment has been increasing over the centuries and various different technologies have harmed the environment through carbon dioxide production. Also, the growth of SUV vehicles and the continuing of Chinese industrialization are major factors.