Carbon dioxide levels are higher than humans have ever experienced. It could be changing our blood chemistry

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🗞️ Driving the news: New research suggests rising atmospheric CO₂ levels may be altering human blood chemistry, raising concerns about previously overlooked health impacts of climate change

🔭 The context: Scientists including Alex Larcombe analyzed decades of U.S. health data and found that blood bicarbonate levels have increased in tandem with rising CO₂ concentrations, now above 420 ppm, compared to ~300 ppm in preindustrial times

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This research highlights that carbon emissions are not just warming the planet but they may also be directly affecting human biology
• Rising CO₂ could subtly alter blood acidity, bone health, and long-term physiological stability, reinforcing the urgency of reducing emissions

⏭️ What’s next: Scientists stress that more research is needed to confirm causation and understand long-term effects, particularly for vulnerable populations like children exposed over a lifetime

💬 One quote: “There’s something going on, and we want to explore it more.” — Alex Larcombe

📈 One stat: Average blood bicarbonate levels have risen by about 7% since 1999, closely tracking increases in atmospheric CO₂

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