Carbon Dioxide levels reach 400ppm for the first time in ~4 million years

This week, we've reached 400ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere for the first time in about 4 million years. In other words, efforts so far to reduce carbon emissions are not enough. Much more needs to be done just to stop emissions rising. What is really needed is to get back to safe levels (350ppm would be a good start).

So what did the world look like the last time there was 400ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere? Click here.

And here's a short and to-the-point slideshow which illustrates where we are at.

Are we destined over the next generation or two to see 40m sea-level rise, a large increase in pests and diseases as temperature zones shift, challenging weather conditions, impacts on our economies and food supplies? To some extent, we are seeing these things now. But a massive and widespread effort to reduce emissions would minimise the chances of seeing such dramatic changes in the future.

Ironically, we have the capacity to make huge changes straight away with hi-tech and low-tech solutions (including options as humble as changing behaviours). What is urgently required politically, in communities and individually is the will. So simple and yet so difficult.