Record Increase In Carbon Dioxide Levels In 2024 Raises Climate Concerns, Warns WMO

Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere reached unprecedented heights in 2024, according to a recent report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). This increase is attributed to ongoing CO2 emissions from human activities and a rise in wildfires. Additionally, there has been a decline in CO2 absorption by natural "sinks" like land ecosystems and oceans, potentially creating a harmful climate cycle.

The WMO's Greenhouse Gas Bulletin highlights that CO2 growth rates have tripled since the 1960s. The annual average increase rose from 0.8 ppm per year to 2.4 ppm per year between 2011 and 2020. From 2023 to 2024, the global average concentration of CO2 increased by 3.5 ppm, marking the largest rise since modern measurements began in 1957.

Oksana Tarasova, coordinator of the Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, emphasised the importance of sustaining and expanding greenhouse gas monitoring efforts. These efforts are crucial for supporting climate action initiatives discussed at international forums like COP 30, scheduled for November in Belém, Brazil.

The WMO released its annual greenhouse gas bulletin to provide scientific data for the upcoming UN Climate Change conference. The COP 30 meeting aims to intensify climate action globally. The bulletin is one of WMO’s key scientific reports and is now in its 21st edition.

"The heat trapped by CO2 and other greenhouse gases is turbo-charging our climate and leading to more extreme weather," stated WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett. "Reducing emissions is therefore essential not just for our climate but also for our economic security and community well-being."

Methane and nitrous oxide levels have also reached record highs. These gases are the second and third most significant long-lived greenhouse gases linked to human activities. Their rising concentrations further contribute to global warming concerns.

The report underscores the urgent need for reducing emissions to mitigate climate change impacts. Addressing these issues is vital not only for environmental health but also for economic stability and community welfare worldwide.

With inputs from WAM