'Tremendous' NASA Video Shows CO2 Spewing from US into Earth's Atmosphere

A recent NASA video illustrates the movement of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, highlighting emissions from major U.S. cities. The visualization, created using the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), captures CO2 patterns from January to March 2020, utilizing data from various satellites and ground observations. Climate scientist Lesley Ott emphasized the interconnectedness of carbon sources and atmospheric patterns, noting that human activities like fossil fuel combustion and deforestation have significantly raised atmospheric CO2 levels from approximately 280 parts per million (ppm) before the Industrial Revolution to over 400 ppm today. In 2022, the U.S. emitted over 6,343 million metric tons of CO2. The video reveals CO2 emissions from urban areas and power stations, with additional emissions from fires in regions like Africa and South America. The CO2 levels fluctuate daily, peaking during daylight due to increased photosynthesis and reduced fire activity at night. The visualization aims to clarify the distribution of CO2, showing dense emissions over cities like New York and Beijing while acknowledging that CO2 is present everywhere, albeit in lower concentrations. The findings underscore the role of greenhouse gases in climate change, contributing to extreme weather events and rising sea levels. The hope is that improved understanding of CO2 dynamics will enhance predictive models for future climate scenarios.