Nation Highest in more than 4 million years: Earth’s carbon dioxide levels soar to record high despite pandemic June 7, 2021June 7, 2021Doyle Rice, USA TODAYComments Off on Highest in more than 4 million years: Earth’s carbon dioxide levels soar to record high despite pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic barely registered as a blip as humanity spewed carbon dioxide into Earth's atmosphere over the past year, scientists said.