Yet again, global greenhouse gas emission concentrations have risen to record highs for 2023, according to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
In particular, atmospheric carbon dioxide is reaching a record pace as it soars to new highs, with the amount of carbon dioxide emissions accumulating in the atmosphere reaching an 11.4% increase in just the past two decades, the report found.
The WMO’s latest Greenhouse Gas Bulletin No. 20, which is published yearly, determined that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, compared to 377.1 ppm in 2004. From 2022 to 2023 alone, the amount of carbon dioxide in the global surface atmosphere increased by 2.3 ppm, which is the 12th year in a row that atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increased by more than 2 ppm year-over-year. Further, carbon dioxide concentrations within the year of 2023 increased by 2.8 ppm.
“Another year. Another record. This should set alarm bells ringing among decision …