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CO2 Now

Scripps CO2 Data - Mauna Loa Observatory

This page presents data for atmospheric CO2 measurements by the Scripps CO2 Program at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. Starting March 1958, the Scripps Mauna Loa data is the longest-runing, high-precision instrument record for atmospheric CO2.

About the Scripps CO2 Program

The Scripps CO₂ program was initiated in 1956 by Charles David Keeling who directed the program until he died in 2005. The program is now operated by Ralph F. Keeling who also runs the Scripps O₂ Program that measures atmospheric oxygen and argon. Both programs are based at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego (La Jolla) California.

Scripps Data

Released November 2, 2012:

Scripps CO2 Data Scripps CO2 Data Data reposted by CO2Now.org

Scripps Source CO2 Data (CSV) | Scripps CO2 Program

Scripps Program

Scripps CO2 Program Home Page | Scripps CO2 Program

Related

NOAA CO2 Data | CO2Now.org

Earth's CO2 Home Page

391.03ppm

Atmospheric CO2 for October 2012

Preliminary data dated November 2, 2012

(Mauna Loa Observatory: Scripps Institution of Oceanography)

CO2 Data Set:	Original Scripps data file dated Friday November 2, 2012

Measuring Location:	Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii


Why is CO2 significant?	Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the chief greenhouse gas that results from human activities and causes global warming and climate change. To see whether enough is being done at the moment to solve these global problems, there is no single indicator as complete and current as the monthly updates for atmospheric CO2 from the Mauna Loa Observatory.


What is the current trend?	The concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere are increasing at an accelerating rate from decade to decade. accelerating from decade to decade. The latest atmospheric CO2 data is consistent with a continuation of this long-standing trend.


What level is safe?	The upper safety limit for atmospheric CO2 is 350 parts per million (ppm). Atmospheric CO2 levels have stayed higher than 350 ppm since early 1988.

Current Data for Atmospheric CO2

The world's most current data for atmospheric CO2 is measured at the Mauna Loa Observatoy in Hawaii. Measurements are made and reported independently by two scientific institutions: Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Monthly data is posted below.

Mauna Loa CO2 Data Sets:

NOAA CO2 Data

Scripps CO2 Data

NOAA Mauna Loa CO2 Data

NOAA release date for monthly CO2 data:

October 9, 2012

Atmospheric CO2
Mauna Loa Observatory (Scripps / NOAA / ESRL)
Monthly Mean CO2 Concentrations (ppm)
Since March 1958

The monthly MLO data set is reposted by CO2Now.org in 2 formats:

NOAA CO2 Data for the Mauna Loa Observatory PDF Version

Source Data

Mauna Loa Monthly Mean CO2

Source data published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Mauna Loa Annual Mean CO2

Source data published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Data Notes

At CO2Now.org, data for March 1958 - April 1974 was obtained by Charles David Keeling of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Scripps). Data for CO2 since May 1974 was obtained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Scripps Institution of Oceanography also maintains a CO2 monitoring program at the Mauna Loa Observatory. Click here to access the Scripps data for the Mauna Loa Observatory.
Monthly mean CO2 concentrations are determined from daily averages for the number of CO2 molecules in every one million molecules of dried air (water vapor removed). Annual mean CO2 concentrations are the arithmetic mean of the monthly averages for the year. Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are expressed as parts per million (ppm).

NOAA data published within the past year is preliminary and subject to change by NOAA due to its recalibration of the reference gas mixture used or other quality control procedures. In some cases, data from earlier years may be changed for the same reasons. Usually, these changes are minor. See the NOAA change log and notes that was started in August 2008 to keep a public record of the adjustments and reasons for the adjustments.

All data in this table is republished from the most current data available from NOAA. Data is republished independently by Pro Oxygen at CO2Now.org to make it easier for people to see the latest atmospheric CO2 data and trend information. A delay of 4 to 24 hours typically occurs between the release of monthly data by NOAA and the publication of updates at CO2Now.org. The accuracy of republished data can be checked by reviewing the source data. In the event that a publication error is detected, please send details to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

More Data

EarthPolicy.org | Annual atmospheric CO2 concentrations from 1,000 AD to 2007
NCDC NOAA | Vostock Ice Core CO2 Data
CO2Now | Climate science data sources

CO2 Acceleration | CO2Now.org

Mauna Loa Science and Wonder | CO2Now.org

The CO2Now Climate Sheet

Updated November 2, 2012

Climate Sheet posts the worlds most current and important planetary data and targets together in one place from leading global sources. The CO2Now Climate Sheet enumerates the chain of causes that are driving humanitys largest environmental crises global warming, climate change and ocean acidification. It also sets out key scientific markers for a stable climate system.