Carbon dioxide levels reach new peak with alarming growth rate.

Carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere have reached record highs, increasing at one of the fastest rates on record due to the burning of oil, coal, and gas. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration reported that the carbon dioxide level measured in May in Hawaii averaged 424 parts per million, 3 parts per million more than last year's May average and 51% higher than pre-industrial levels of 280 ppm. The increase is concerning as it is happening faster than it was 10 or 20 years ago, and emissions are increasing at twice and even three times that rate, depending on whether there is an El Nino.