Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen to unprecedented levels, accelerating global warming

This is what was shown in the new greenhouse gas bulletin issued by the World Meteorological Organization on Wednesday, which explained that the continued emissions of carbon dioxide from human activities and the increase resulting from forest fires were responsible for that increase, as well as the decrease in the absorption of carbon dioxide by what is known as “carbon sinks” such as terrestrial and ocean ecosystems.

According to the new bulletin, carbon dioxide levels have tripled since the 1960s, accelerating from an average annual increase of 0.8 parts per million per year to 2.4 parts per million per year during the decade from 2011 to 2020.

From 2023 to 2024, the average global carbon dioxide concentration rose by 3.5 parts per million, the largest increase since modern measurements began in 1957.

Influence for hundreds of years

Deputy Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization Ko Barrett said that heat trapped by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is worsening climate conditions and leading to more extreme weather.

Barrett stressed that “Reducing emissions is essential not only for our climate, but also for our economic security and the well-being of our communities.”.

The bulletin also showed that concentrations of methane and nitrous oxide – the second and third most important long-lived greenhouse gases linked to human activities – have risen to record levels.

The World Meteorological Organization explained that current carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere will not only affect the global climate today, but will also continue to affect for hundreds of years due to their long lifetime in the atmosphere.

Oksana Tarasova, a senior scientific officer at the organization, said that there are concerns that terrestrial and oceanic carbon dioxide sinks are becoming less effective. “Which will increase the amount of carbon dioxide remaining in the atmosphere, which will accelerate global warming.”.