The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has reached an alarming record high in Spain. At the renowned Izaña Atmospheric Observatory on Tenerife, a monthly average of 430.6 parts per million (ppm) was measured in May. This represents the highest value since measurements began in 1984, according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). This new peak surpasses the previous record of 427.45 ppm registered in May of the previous year at the same monitoring station in Teide National Park.
Why Izaña is Crucial for Global Climate Data
The Izaña Atmospheric Observatory, located at an altitude of 2,373 meters and away from urban influences, is ideally positioned to capture the background concentrations of greenhouse gases in the free troposphere. Due to this strategic location, the data obtained there are very similar to global average values. The recent significant increase in CO2 concentration at Izaña thus provides a precise projection of the global increase in annual averages. This underscores the relevance of Spanish measurements for worldwide climate research and the assessment of climate change.
Accelerated CO2 Growth: A Concerning Development
Since the 1980s, the average annual growth in global CO2 emissions has been approximately 2 ppm. However, Aemet warns that this growth rate shows an increasing trend. Over the last decade, the increase has already averaged 2.4 ppm per year. Particularly notable is the 3.4 ppm increase in the annual average of CO2 at Izaña in 2024. The institution attributes this significant difference compared to the average of 2.3 ppm in 2022 and 2023 to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
El Niño and Its Impact on CO2 Concentrations
The El Niño climate phenomenon favors a stronger increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, while the cold phase, La Niña, is generally associated with more moderate growth rates. Aemet attributes the acceleration of the growth rate observed in Izaña last year to the transition from a nearly three-year La Niña phase to an El Niño phase in May 2023. This news illustrates how complex interactions between natural climate phenomena and anthropogenic emissions affect the global atmosphere.
