Last year marked a significant milestone in the fight against climate change as levels of carbon dioxide and methane surged to unprecedented highs, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Carbon dioxide, the most prevalent human-caused greenhouse gas, increased by 2.8 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, the third highest rise in over six decades of record-keeping. This brought the annual average to 419.3 ppm, reflecting a 50 percent increase since pre-industrial times.
Methane, a more potent but shorter-lived gas, also saw a dramatic rise of 11.1 parts per billion (ppb), averaging 1922.6 ppb for the year. Despite this increase being lower than the previous three years, methane levels have grown 5.5 percent over the past decade, outpacing carbon dioxide in terms of the rate of rise.
\"Fossil fuel pollution is warming natural systems like wetlands and permafrost, releasing even more greenhouse gases as they heat up. We're caught between a rock and a charred place,\" stated Rob Jackson, a climate scientist at Stanford University.
The surge in these gases is attributed to various sources, including fossil fuel emissions, agriculture, livestock, and natural wetlands. Methane accounts for about 30 percent of the current rise in global temperatures, with carbon dioxide responsible for roughly twice as much, as reported by the International Energy Agency.
In response to these alarming trends, global companies have pledged significant reductions in methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also implemented new rules aimed at curbing these emissions. However, recent studies indicate that methane levels are rising faster than ever, and current tracking methods may underestimate the pollution from the energy sector.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Xin Lan, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado, highlighted the critical role of carbon dioxide, noting, \"I'm still mostly concerned about carbon dioxide emissions.\"
The transition from a cooling La Nina to a warming El Nino last year influenced methane and carbon dioxide levels, with El Nino contributing to higher carbon dioxide concentrations. As the current El Nino begins to wane, scientists continue to monitor its impact on greenhouse gas dynamics.
NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory Director, Vanda Grubisic, concluded, \"As these numbers show, we still have a lot of work to do to make meaningful progress in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere.\"
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Carbon dioxide and methane levels spiked to record highs last year
cgtn.com
