International report shows the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere reached 413 parts per million in 2020 and is growing at a rate of an additional 2.5 parts per million each year
Concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere maintained their upward climb last year at a rate that not even the COVID-19 pandemic could dent, an international report has found.
Based on data gathered at 130 stations around the globe, including Canada, the new report is the latest in a series of annual snapshots of the state of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In hard numbers, it shows that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached 413 parts per million in 2020 and is growing at a rate of an additional 2.5 parts per million each year.
Collectively, the measurements put Earth on a track that diverges significantly from the 2 C target. Taking into account the latest assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released in August, Dr. Tarasova estimated that the current increase in concentration was more in line with 2.7 C of global warming.A continuous record of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere has been maintained since 1958 when observations began atop Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
And while he said this week’s result on carbon dioxide should not come as a surprise – since concentrations of the gas are so closely tied to energy use – he noted that the increase in atmospheric methane was an additional cause for concern. “There’s really an impetus to try to get a handle on methane,” Dr. Vogel said, calling the effort a win-win because it reduces loss for suppliers. In the long run, he said, a concerted effort to reduce extraneous releases would be more likely to have a more lasting impact than a sudden, short-term reduction such as the one that occurred during the pandemic.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UN: Greenhouse gas levels hit a new record, cuts fall shortThe World Meteorological Organization reported Monday that greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record high last year and increased at a faster rate than the annual average for the last decade despite a temporary reduction during pandemic-related lockdowns.
Read more »
China says it must consider food and energy security when curbing emissionsEnergy shortages in China threaten to overshadow Beijing’s efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, just as countries prepare for a new round of climate talks in Glasgow starting on Oct. 31.
Read more »
Twin peaks: Whether it's supply or demand, oil era heads for crunch timeMobility curbs may already be set to permanently rein in the growth of both supply and demand
Read more »
$100B global climate finance goal three years behind schedule: reportThe world's wealthiest countries didn't meet a decade-old goal to provide the developing world with US$100 billion in climate aid by 2020 and won't actually get there for another two years, a new analysis showed Monday.
Read more »
Globe Climate: It’s time to iron out climate-related disclosureThere have been many calls for a universal approach to replace the dizzying array of reporting standards for companies in this country
Read more »