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So... how many ground based CO2 stations are there?

And do they have the same coverage as a satellite?

Also, why do we need weather satellites when ground wx stations work perfectly fine?

There are many, but the most important one is Mauna Loa. CO2 is well mixed in the atmosphere. It has to be or plant life would suffocate and die (remember CO2 is their O2). Just like Oxygen is well mixed and evenly distributed around the planet. A ground measurement that is sufficiently isolated from forests or cities that could have localized effects is ideal. Muana is considered ideal because it sits out in the Pacific ocean on a remote island of Hawaii.

https://www.co2.earth/22-co2-now/121-mauna-loa-co2

For list of stations besides Mauna Loa: https://gml.noaa.gov/dv/site/

Page 185 - https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/NOAA-FY...

"In coordination with the requested terminations for Weather Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes (see OAR-10) and Ocean Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes (see OAR-19), NOAA will close...Mauna Loa"

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