"WASHINGTON -- The amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the air jumped dramatically in 2012, making it very unlikely that global warming can be limited to another 2 degrees as many global leaders have hoped, new federal figures show."

"Scientists say the rise in CO2 reflects the world's economy revving up and burning more fossil fuels, especially in China.

Carbon dioxide levels jumped by 2.67 parts per million since 2011 to total just under 395 parts per million, says Pieter Tans, who leads the greenhouse gas measurement team for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

That's the second highest rise in carbon emissions since record-keeping began in 1959. The measurements are taken from air samples captured away from civilization near a volcano in Mauna Loa, Hawaii."

Seth Borenstein reports for the Associated Press March 5, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"AP: What Happens When Your Greenhouse Gas Scoop Is Ahead of the (Published) Facts?" (Knight Science Journalism Tracker) [3]

"Carbon Dioxide Levels Show Biggest Spike in 15 Years" (Times of India) [4]

"Carbon Dioxide Levels Made a Big, Scary Jump in 2012" (Grist) [5]

"Carbon Dioxide's Climb Speeds Up" (Climate News Network) [6]