Greenhouse gas emissions surged to a new record in 2023: WMO report

Greenhouse gas levels surged to a new record in 2023 rising by more than 10 per cent in just two decades according to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization WMOIn the course of 2023 large vegetation fire CO2 emissions and a possible reduction in carbon absorption by forests combined with stubbornly high fossil fuel CO2 emissions from human and industrial activities to drive the increase according to the WMOs annual Greenhouse Gas BulletinThe globally averaged surface concentration of carbon dioxide reached 420 parts per million ppm methane 1934 parts per billion and nitrous oxide 3369 parts per billion ppb in 2023These values are 151 per cent 265 per cent and 125 per cent of preindustrial before 1750 levels it said These are calculated on the basis of the longterm observations within the Global Atmosphere Watch network of monitoring stationsAnother year Another record This should set alarm bells ringing among decision makers We are clearly off track to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and aiming for 15 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels These are more than just statistics Every part per million and every fraction of a degree temperature increase has a real impact on our lives and our planet said WMO SecretaryGeneral Celeste SauloThe 2023 increase of CO2 in the atmosphere was higher than that of 2022 although lower than that of the three years before that The annual increase of 23 ppm marked the 12th consecutive year with an increase greater than 2 ppmIn the last 20 years the CO2 level has increased by 114 per cent 429 ppm above the level of 3771 ppm recorded in 2004 by WMOs Global Atmosphere Watch network of monitoring stationsFrom 1990 to 2023 radiative forcing the warming effect on our climate by longlived greenhouse gases increased by 515 per cent with CO2 accounting for about 81 per cent of this increase according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Annual Greenhouse Gas Index cited in the WMO BulletinAs long as emissions continue greenhouse gases will continue accumulating in the atmosphere leading to global temperature rise Given the extremely long life of CO2 in the atmosphere the temperature level already observed will persist for several decades even if emissions are rapidly reduced to net zeroThe last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 35 million years ago when the temperature was 23 degrees Celsius warmer and sea level was 1020 metres higher than nowAlso ReadIndias development journey intertwined with environmental conservation EAMThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever