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Greenhouse gas levels reached a new record in 2023, rising over 10% in the past 20 years.
This increase is highlighted in the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin.
What the Report Says
CO2 levels averaged 420 parts per million (ppm), methane at 1934 parts per billion (ppb), and nitrous oxide at 336.9 ppb in 2023.
These levels are significantly higher than pre-industrial times: CO2 is 151%, methane 265%, and nitrous oxide 125% of pre-industrial levels.
The report emphasizes that current trends are off-track for meeting the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming.
The increase in CO2 for 2023 was higher than in 2022 and marks the 12th consecutive year with increases over 2 ppm.
Overall, CO2 levels have risen by 11.4% over the last two decades.
Long-lived greenhouse gases have caused a 51.5% increase in radiative forcing, with CO2 contributing to about 81% of this rise.
If emissions continue, greenhouse gases will keep accumulating, leading to further global temperature increases.
The last time CO2 levels were comparable was 3-5 million years ago, which resulted in higher temperatures and sea levels.
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