On 10 May 2013 US federal agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA made an announcement that the official US Government measuring station (Mauna Loa Observatory) in Hawaii recorded CO2 concentration has crossed 400 ppm (parts per million) or 0.04% for the first time in latest known history. According to the Washington Post, “The arrival at this threshold represents a powerful symbol of the growing human influence on the Earth’s climate”. This seemingly insignificant piece of information signifies a clear danger signal for the mankind and Governments, lawmakers and more so the citizens of this world need to be informed well and adequately of this danger. From some scientists’ point of view, we (the world) have already crossed the tipping point and are on an irreversible path in maintaining health of our earth’s atmosphere. Whatever be the case scientists may debate, I am describing what may be the implications and what practices can we correct to slow down the pace of climatic degradation.
First the setting: At the start of the industrialization roughly mid-18th century the concentration is said to have been 270 – 280 ppm. So in the known history of the earth, this level can be said to be the natural equilibrium concentration, in the absence of undue influence by man (so-called anthropogenic factors). So we can conclude that our ancestors up to the pre-industrial period breathed air with this level of CO2. I will not delve in reasons for this rise as it is obviously due to human activity. Without going to the well-heard effects of global warming (like sea-level rise, ocean acidification, disturbed rain cycle, etc.) we are inhaling more CO2 than our healthy ancestors (just five-generation before us) did! All our body cycles and systems are dependent primarily on inputs like air, water, and food. In yoga, pranayama is one of the basic processes (Kriya) and it teaches us how to optimize our breathing. Now with more CO2 inhaled (actually an increasingly dangerous concoction of more CO2, dust, pollutants, etc.), our blood carries it to all the parts of the body. This process has been happening over the past 150 years and is increasing year after year. This is unavoidable pollution that we are exposed to but do not realize. Many of the lifestyle diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) that we face may be somewhat related to this pollution exposure. Though I am not aware if anybody has conducted research into this, I am sure human bodies must have subtly adapted to these changes. I think there must be many such things that must have been happening to the living things around us. Since the change is quite minor and gradual it may not cause immediate damage to us (unlike we feel exhausted and gasp for air in a highly crowded train compartment, I read that the concentration of CO2 there is higher than 1600 ppm!) but the subtle changes resulting in changes in body functions is also a reason for worry.