In 2023, global levels of greenhouse gases reached an unprecedented high, locking the earth to a trajectory of greater temperatures for the foreseeable future, as stated in a recent report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released on Monday.
The WMO’s annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reported a 11.4% increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels over the past 20 years.
“Another 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°C and aiming for 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said.
Saulo added: “Every part per million and every fraction of a degree temperature increase has a real impact on our lives and our planet.”
According to data from the WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch network, the worldwide average surface concentration of CO2 attained 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023. Methane and nitrous oxide levels rose significantly, attaining 1,934 parts per billion (ppb) and 336.9 ppb, respectively.
According to the WMO, these statistics represent increases of 151%, 265%, and 125% from pre-industrial levels for CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide, respectively.
The WMO report indicated that the atmospheric CO2 increase for 2023 was 2.3 ppm, surpassing the levels of 2022 but marginally lower than the preceding three years. This increase signifies the twelfth straight year in which CO2 levels have risen by over 2 ppm annually.
(Source: AA)
