Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Atmosphere Hit New Record Levels In 2017
Greenhouse gas levels hit a new record high in 2017, according to a report to be used as a basis for COP 24. As scientists reported, there is an immediate need for action to tackle CO2 emissions and climate change with it global warming and extreme weather phenomena.
Greenhouse gas levels, which capture heat in the atmosphere, accelerating climate change and its effects, have reached a new record, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, revealed today, on Thursday, November 22nd.
The World Meteorological Organization report shows that in 2017, carbon dioxide (CO2) reached 405.5 ppm (the number of greenhouse gas molecules considered per million air molecules), compared to 403.3 ppm in 2016 and 400.1 ppm in 2015.
“The window of opportunity to act is almost closed,” said Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General. In its report, WMO is pessimistic as there is no sign of a possible reversal of this trend which leads to long-term climate change, seawater rise, ocean acidification, and extreme weather phenomena.
Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Atmosphere Hit New Record Levels In 2017
“The science is clear, without the rapid reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, climate change will have more and more destructive and irreversible impacts on life on Earth,” commented Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General. He then added that “the window of opportunity to act is almost closed.”
“The last time the planet suffered the same CO2 concentration was 3-5 million years ago when the temperature was 2-3 degrees Celsius higher and the sea level ten to twenty meters higher than now. It takes several hundred years for carbon dioxide to withdraw from the atmosphere, let alone the ocean,” Taalas added.
The reports of WMO and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) serve as a scientific basis for decision-making during the United Nations climate change negotiations, held between December 2nd and 14th in Katowice, Poland. The objective would be to achieve the goals established by the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Vadim is a passionate writer on various topics but especially on stuff related to health, technology, and science. Therefore, for Great Lakes Ledger, Vadim will cover health and Sci&Tech news.
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