In 2023, atmospheric greenhouse gases reached record levels, with carbon dioxide concentrations at 420 ppm—the highest in millions of years. This increase locks in future warming, even with net-zero emissions. The WMO warns of alarming trends driven by El Nino and wildfires, leading to significant global ecological and climatological impacts. Urgent global action is needed to address these challenges ahead of the Cop29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.
In the year 2023, unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases were reported in the Earth’s atmosphere, reaching concentrations not observed for millions of years, according to a warning from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Released prior to the Cop29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, the report highlighted that current greenhouse gas peaks have already cemented future temperature increases, regardless of emissions reductions to net zero. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels reached 420 parts per million (ppm), a figure unprecedented in three to five million years, a period that also experienced 3 degrees Celsius higher temperatures and sea levels potentially rising by up to 20 meters compared to current levels. Celeste Saulo, the WMO Secretary-General, expressed, “Another year. Another record. This should set alarm bells ringing among decision makers.” She emphasized the alarming reality that actions taken to date are not sufficient to align with the Paris Agreement’s objective of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. The atmospheric CO2 observed in the previous year rose by 2.3 ppm, marking the twelfth consecutive year of increases above 2 ppm, leading to concentrations 151 percent greater than pre-industrial levels. The surge in CO2 levels has been attributed to natural events such as El Nino, large-scale wildfires, and sustained fossil fuel emissions, which have diminished the efficiency of carbon sinks like forests and oceans, creating a destructive cycle. WMO’s Deputy Secretary-General, Ko Barrett, stated, “Climate change itself could cause ecosystems to become larger sources of greenhouse gases.” He warned that wildfires are expected to release greater emissions while warmer oceans may absorb less CO2, exacerbating global warming. In 2023, global fire carbon emissions were 16 percent above average, coinciding with extreme wildfire conditions in regions like Canada and severe droughts leading to bushfires in Australia. Methane levels reached 1,934 parts per billion, which is 265 percent higher since the pre-industrial era, while nitrous oxide concentration also rose to 336.9 parts per billion, a 125 percent increase. The report elucidates that nearly half of CO2 emissions linger in the atmosphere, with approximately a quarter absorbed by oceans and nearly 30 percent by land ecosystems; however, this absorption efficiency varies significantly due to climate phenomena like El Nino and La Nina. Long-term data indicates that greenhouse gases are now warming the Earth substantially more than they did in 1990, with CO2 accounting for four-fifths of this increase. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration underscores that due to CO2’s prolonged atmospheric lifespan, even significant emissions reductions will have lingering temperature effects for decades. With CO2 levels at an unprecedented high, the WMO has underscored the urgent need for decisive global action. Saulo remarked, “Every part per million and every fraction of a degree temperature increase has a real impact on our lives and our planet.” This report serves as a pivotal resource leading into the upcoming discussions at Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has been tracking greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on climate change for decades. In recent years, there has been increasing concern regarding the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Scientists have concluded that these gases contribute significantly to global warming, posing severe risks to ecosystems, sea levels, and climate stability. The urgency to address these emissions has become more pronounced leading up to significant climate summits, such as the Cop29, where global leaders gather to discuss strategies for mitigation.
The findings from the WMO indicate a clear trajectory of rising greenhouse gas levels that are contributing to irreversible global warming. With record CO2 concentrations and the effects of climate phenomena exacerbating the situation, there is an urgent need for international cooperation to implement effective measures aimed at reducing emissions and mitigating climate change. The outcomes of the upcoming Cop29 summit are critical in shaping future global climate policy.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
