Pre-industrial Levels

“Pre-industrial levels” refers to the atmospheric concentrations of certain gases and other environmental conditions before the widespread industrialization that began in the 18th century. When discussing climate change, the term is often used to refer to the period before significant human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and large-scale industrial processes, led to substantial increases in greenhouse gas emissions.

In the context of climate science, pre-industrial levels are commonly used as a baseline for understanding and measuring changes in greenhouse gas concentrations, temperature, and other climate-related factors. The reference period is typically considered to be the mid- to late 19th century, before the rapid industrial expansion and the associated rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations from activities like burning coal and oil.

Using pre-industrial levels as a baseline helps scientists assess the extent of human impact on the climate and understand the changes that have occurred since the onset of industrialization. It serves as a point of comparison for setting emission reduction targets and developing climate policies.