CO2 Makes Up 0.04% Of The Atmosphere; It Doesn’t Mean Climate Change Is A Hoax
- By The Financial District
- Mar 5, 2024
- 2 min read
The notion that carbon dioxide (CO2) comprises only a small fraction of the atmosphere, approximately 0.04%, has been used by some to suggest that climate change is insignificant or a hoax.

Dismissing the threat of climate change based on the seemingly low concentration of CO2 overlooks its profound impact on the planet's climate system.
However, scientists emphasize that this argument is misleading and ignores the significant impact of rising CO2 levels on global warming.
Leading climate scientist Michael Mann points out that while CO2 levels may seem small at around 420 parts per million in the atmosphere, even minute amounts of this potent greenhouse gas can have a substantial impact on the climate.
The concentration of CO2 has increased by 50% compared to pre-industrial levels, reaching approximately 280 parts per million.
This rise in CO2 levels has already contributed to a warming of nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to observable effects such as ice loss, sea level rise, and more extreme weather events.
Mann underscores that the consequences of climate change will escalate if the burning of fossil fuels continues unabated. Scientists, including those at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), attribute modern global warming predominantly to human activities, particularly the release of CO2 from burning fossil fuels. CO2 acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping heat in the atmosphere and preventing it from escaping into space.
In summary, while CO2 may constitute a small fraction of the atmosphere, its role in driving climate change is significant and supported by multiple lines of scientific evidence.
Dismissing the threat of climate change based on the seemingly low concentration of CO2 overlooks its profound impact on the planet's climate system.