2023 Sees Record Greenhouse Gas Levels, WMO Reports
GHG levels may become uncontrollable without deliberate actions.
Natural carbon sinks, like trees and oceans, are on the verge of becoming non-functional.
A study by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) notes that greenhouse gas (GHG) levels reached a new high in 2023.
The study warns that the planet will continue to warm for years with this ongoing rise in gases like carbon dioxide (CO2).
The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing faster than at any point in human history, rising by more than 10% in the past 20 years.
Causes of the Rise
Last year saw an increase in wildfires in many parts of the world, which likely reduced carbon absorption by forests, alongside continued high emissions from fossil fuels. These greenhouse gases—nitrous oxide, methane, and CO2—now far exceed their pre-industrial levels (before 1750).
Read more: Wetland Fires and Their Environmental Impact in New Zealand
Impact on the Planet
A slight increase in CO2 can affect our planet. This will prevent the world from reaching the Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to 1.5–2°C. Half of the emitted CO2 still stays in the atmosphere, shows the WMO bulletin. Meanwhile, the rest is absorbed by natural carbon sinks such as oceans and lands, with some variation due to natural events like El Niño.
Currently, we are dealing with a potentially vicious cycle. Climate change will cause ecosystems to release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. For example, wildfires may release more carbon, and warmer oceans would absorb less CO2. This loop will gain strength in the future if not controlled, and global warming could have disastrous consequences.
Read more: Land and Ocean Sinks Weaken, Absorbed No CO2 in 2023
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo says: "Another year. Another record. This should set alarm bells ringing among decision-makers. We are clearly off track to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C and aiming for 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. These are more than just statistics. Every part per million and every fraction of a degree temperature increase has a real impact on our lives and our planet."
Different Gases and Their Impacts on Earth
Carbon Dioxide
CO2 accounts for most of the warming effect on the climate, as it is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned.
Methane
This greenhouse gas is very powerful and can last for decades in the atmosphere. It is released into the air from natural sources like wetlands and human activities, including agriculture, farming, and fossil fuel consumption.
Nitrous Oxide
It can harm the ozone layer, which protects us from the sun's UV rays. It predominantly comes from the ocean, soil, and human activities such as fertiliser use.
The long-term effect is that these gases will continue to accumulate due to ongoing emissions, significantly increasing global temperatures even if emissions are drastically reduced now.
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Source: WMO
