Earth Science Stories | February 22, 2023

How much has carbon dioxide increased in a lifetime?

And how does a NASA satellite measure this?

How much have carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere increased in a lifetime?

In a new video, we explore global CO₂ levels with Sandra, a fictional NASA scientist. We start with Sandra’s birth in 1989, and see how CO₂ levels have risen at every major milestone of her life.

We also go back in time to see how CO₂ levels have increased since the birth of Sandra’s grandmother.

A video of how carbon dioxide has increased over Sandra's lifetime, a fictional NASA scientist

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has decades of expertise in measuring greenhouse gases from space, including CO₂ and methane. Along with ground stations, satellite missions such as the Orbiting Carbon Observatories help us track just how much CO₂ levels are rising globally, plus regional dips and surges.

So, how much has CO₂ increased over your lifetime?