Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an important heat-trapping (greenhouse) gas, which is released through human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, as well as natural processes such as respiration and volcanic eruptions. The first chart shows atmospheric CO₂ levels in recent years, with average seasonal cycle removed. The second chart shows CO₂ levels during the last three glacial cycles, as reconstructed from ice cores.

The time series below shows global distribution and variation of the concentration of mid-tropospheric carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm). The overall color of the map shifts toward the red with advancing time due to the annual increase of CO₂.

Missions that observe CO₂

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS)

Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-2)