World CO2 levels highest for 650,000 years

David Abraham of Guardian Newspapers reports that CO2 concentration in the atmosphere has reached a record high of 357 parts per million (ppm), the highest figure for the past 650,000 years. The data published by the US National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration confirm that CO2 , the chief green house gas, is accumulating in the atmosphere faster than what was expected. The annual mean growth rate for 2007 was 2.14 ppm. From 1970 to 2000 the concentration rose by about 1.5 ppm each year, but since 2000 the annul rate had increased to an average of 2.1 ppm. (Source: The Hindu, May 14, 2008)