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The new record comes as tens of millions of people are grappling with extreme weather in the United States. Much of the western U.S. is experiencing the first major heat wave of the year, which is driving temperaturesSuch extreme, prolonged heat is directly related to human-caused climate change, scientists say. All the extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps heat, and leads to more intense, frequent and persistent heat waves, andU.S.
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is measured in parts per million, and measurements are taken at an observatory in Hawaii. In May, the atmospheric CO2 concentration peaks because the gas accumulates more in the winter months when there are The vast majority of the planet-warming pollution in the atmosphere comes from humans burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal.The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been steadily increasing since scientists began routine measurements in 1958. At that time, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere was 313 parts per million, slightly higher than in the 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution sparked the widespread consumption of fossil fuels.