Levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached the highest levels on record for any calendar month during April, averaging 420 parts per million (ppm) for the first time since observations began in 1958, according to new data.
Why it matters: Carbon dioxide is a long-lived, planet-warming greenhouse gas, the concentration of which is increasing due to human activities, such as the burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas for energy. Studies show current levels are higher than any time in as long as 4.5 million years.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson told a Senate hearing Tuesday that "we see every reason that the Russians are going to continue" their work on the International Space Station "for the immediate future."
Driving the news: The head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos over the weekend reportedly said the agency would give partner's one year notice before it would end its work on the ISS. Nelson called reports about the comments and Roscosmos leaving "misleading," saying Russia is "not pulling out" of the ISS.
