According to the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations’ specialized agency for meteorology, the global CO2 levels were greater in 2014 then they were prior the industrial revolution. According to the WMO, climate change is a constant rise that will cause our planet to become more hostile and dangerous for future generations. According to the World Meteorological Organization’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, between 1990 and 2014 a 36% increase in radiative forcing was registered. Radiation forcing is the term used to describe our warming climate. Long-lived greenhouse gasses such as CO2 (carbon dioxide), CH4 (methane), and N2O [nitrous oxide] have contributed to the warming effect on our climate. In the report, authors highlight how higher levels of CO2 can interact with water vapor. Although it is a significant greenhouse gas, this interaction has been highlighted. The global average CO2, CH4, and N2O mole fractions and growth rates between 1984 and 2014.. Source: WMOs Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. Water vapor can exacerbate the greenhouse effect. When air becomes warmer, it is more able to hold moisture. Higher global surface temperatures due to carbon dioxide could lead to higher levels of water vapor, further enhancing the enhanced greenhouse effect. The increase in CO2 levels will cause a greater rise in the thermal energy, and also the warming caused by water vapor. Michel Jarraud (WMO Secretary General) stated that each year, a new record is set in terms of greenhouse gas concentrations. Each year, we warn that the time is short. If we want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is imperative that we act immediately. 2014, The atmospheric CO2 levels reached 397.7 parts per million. The most significant long-lasting greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. The symbolically important 440 level of ppm was exceeded in spring 2014,, when CO2 is abundanter in northern hemisphere. The 400 limit of ppm was broken by the global average CO2 level in spring 2012. The atmospheric radiative forcing is a function of 1750, long-lived greenhouse gasses and the 2014 updates of the NOAA Annual Greenhouse Gas Index. Source: WMOs Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. CO2 – The invisible, but very real threat. Jarraud stated that “We will soon live with global averaged CO2 levels higher than 400 parts/million as a permanent reality.” It is impossible to see CO2. We can’t see CO2. We are now moving in uncharted territory with frightening speed.” Michel Jarraud is the World Meteorological Organization’s Secretary-General. “Excessive energy trapped by CO2 or other greenhouse gases heats up the Earth’s surface, which causes an increase in atmospheric water vapour. This in turn leads to generating/trapping more heat.” “Carbon dioxide is still present in the atmosphere for many hundreds of years. And in the ocean even longer. The cumulative effect of past, present, and future carbon dioxide emissions on global warming and acidification will be significant. “The laws of Physics are not negotiable.” WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin does not contain data about emissions, but only atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. While emissions refer to the amount of greenhouse gases that go into the atmosphere and concentrations are the result of complex interactions among the atmosphere and cryosphere, Earth’s surface, atmosphere and oceans, both refer to the total quantity of these substances in the atmosphere. Approximately 25% of all emissions are taken up by the oceans, and the same amount by the biosphere, thus reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Greenhouse Gas Bulletin data are a scientific basis for making decisions. The Bulletin has been released ahead of the United Nations climate change negotiations, which will be held this year in Paris from November 30th to December 11th. The Bulletin was released ahead of the United Nations climate change negotiations, which will be held in Paris from November 30th to December 11th. Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases Carbon Dioxide: accounted for approximately 83% of the total radiative forcing increased by long-lived greenhouse gases over the last ten years. There was balance in the air, oceans, and biosphere at 278 before the industrial revolution. The natural balance has been altered by human activities including the burning fossil fuels. 2014, The average HTML2 level was 143% above pre-industrial levels. Last year, global annual average CO2 concentrations reached 397.7 ppm, with last year’s increase close to the 10-year average. 2016, The global average is likely to exceed 400.5 ppm. The second-most important greenhouse gas is methane. Natural sources account for about 40% of the methane that is emitted into our atmosphere, while approximately 60% comes from human activities like rice agriculture, fossil fuel exploitation, landfills, biomass burning, and cattle breeding. The levels of atmospheric methane reached 1 ppb in 2014, a record. It is now 254% above the preindustrial levels. Nitrous oxide: N2O is partly emitted into the atmosphere from natural sources (60%), and the rest from human activities (40%). 2014 had a nitrous oxide level of approximately 327.1ppb. The current concentrations of N2O are 121% below pre-industrial levels. Water Vapour: The main greenhouse gases are CO2 (carbon dioxide) and water vapour (water vapor). Carbon dioxide is the primary driver of climate change. As a result of changing CO2 levels, water vapor is affected. Bulletin authors wrote that a scenario with doubling the CO2 concentration in pre-industrial conditions would be possible. From 280 to 560ppm, global water vapour and clouds would result in an increase of atmospheric heating that’s three times greater than long-term greenhouse gases.
