CO2 Emissions Linked to Human Death

A Stanford University scientist has found for the first time a direct correlation between rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and increased human mortality—potentially aiding 16 states in their fight to regulate auto emissions. The air pollution spurred by each 1 degree Celsius caused by carbon dioxide leads to 1,000 US deaths—and as many as 20,000 worldwide, Wired reports.

“The study was the first to specifically isolate carbon dioxide's effect from that of other global-warming agents," the researcher wrote. In December, the Environmental Protection Agency denied California a waiver to regulate emissions, claiming the state had no special circumstances; the rebuttal by the West Coast scientist says 30% of US carbon dioxide-related deaths would occur in the Golden State. (More carbon dioxide stories.)