CO2 Levels in India

Context:

The first-ever satellite-based picture of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration over India has shown that it is way above the safety mark and also matches what has been observed in other parts of the world.

Details

• The findings are based on the readings from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2)

• The observations for the study were made from March to July in 2015.
• According to reports from Mauna Loa, the global average of CO₂ concentration in 2105 was 400 parts per million (ppm)
• In2015, the average CO₂ level in India according to a report published in the latest issue of Current Science was 399ppm.
• Cape Rama, a coastal region in Goa, recorded a CO₂ level of 408ppm
• CO2 concentrations in pockets of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh ranged between 405ppm and 410ppm
• However, carbon dioxide concentrations were lower over South India. Concentrations over Southern India and the western coast ranged between 395 ppm and 400 ppm
• In general, the northern and central region registered CO₂ levels between 400 and 405ppm.
• In 2016, average global CO2 levels breached 400ppm

Why is rising Carbon dioxide concentration a concern?

• It is generally agreed that for every million gas molecules in the atmosphere, anything beyond 350 carbon dioxide molecules, is unsafe.
• High levels of CO2 and other gases like methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapour turn the atmosphere into a greenhouse, which lets in sunlight and traps heat that would otherwise escape into space.
• This not only raises the surface temperature but also has the potential to trigger extreme climatic events globally.
• Further, rising concentrations of CO₂ will make it harder and costlier to suck out excess carbon dioxide.

Causes for the rising CO₂ levels

• The authors of the report have commented that is difficult to precisely point out the causes for rising CO₂ levels
• Few possible reasons cited by the authors-
• Lack of a CO₂ sink
• Forest fire
• Biomass burning
• Vehicular emissions
• Combustion of coal, oil and natural gas
• Increasing deforestation
• The global increase in CO₂ level, as recorded in 2015-2016 is also attributed to the impact of El Nino. How? El Nino warms the Equatorial Pacific thus affecting rainfall, drying out tropical lands, and igniting forest fires which release CO₂

Conclusion

Carbon dioxide levels crossing the threshold constantly remind how humans have made their mark on the Earth’s climate. It is a reminder that ongoing changes in climate might trigger extreme climatic events which disproportionately affect the poor people of developing countries like India as they are more vulnerable.