Last year, the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere set a new record, with the yearly rate that increases above the 2011-2020 average, according to World Meteorological Organization or WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin.
In 2020 the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere set a new record, with the yearly rate of increase above the 2011-2020 average, according to World Meteorological Organization or WMO Greenhouse Has Bulletin. (Photo: The EIU)
WMO Annual Report
On Monday, the WMO annual report showed that carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary greenhouse gas, reached 413.2 parts per million in 2020, representing 149 percent of pre-industrial levels. It was stated that despite the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and temporary incline in emissions, there was no evident effect on the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases or their growth rates.
According to a report in Aljazeera, Petteri Taalas, the WMO Secretary-General, has warned the current rate of the increase in heat-trapping gasses and said that it would result in temperature rise in excess of 1.5C (2.7F) above the pre-industrial average this century. This target was set out in 2015 by the Paris climate agreement.
From October 1 to November 12 this year, the United Nations Climate Change Conference will occur in Glasgow, Scotland. Environmental activists, scientists, and policymakers have said that the event will mark a crucial opportunity for existing commitments to the targets set out in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. There are expected representatives from 200 countries that will attend the said summit.
In 2020 the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere set a new record, with the yearly rate of increase above the 2011-2020 average, according to World Meteorological Organization or WMO Greenhouse Has Bulletin. (Photo: UNCCD)
No Time To Lose
According to a published report in Newsweek, President Joe Biden is also attending the summit as he is also trying to save the CEPP or Clean Electricity Performance Program, which was a part of the administration’s spending bill. The CEPP plan was created in an effort to cut U.S. emissions by about half of the 2005 levels by using incentives.
Climate scientists say the even if the deep emissions cuts are put into action now, the warming trend will remain as past carbon dioxide emissions stay in the atmosphere for centuries. Taalas have stated that the 400 parts per million have a significant negative consequence for people’s daily lives and well-being.
“We need to revisit our industrial, energy, and transport systems and whole way of life. The needed changes are economically affordable and technically possible. There is no time to lose.”
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