WMO 2005 Greenhouse Gas Bulletin: Atmospheric CO2 Levels Highest on Record
07.11.2006 - Other
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has released official figures for 2005 levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide - unfortunately they are the higest on record. After water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the three most prevalent greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are some of the major drivers behind global warming and climate change that have such a big impact on polar regions.
- Quantities of carbon dioxide were measured at 379.1 parts per million (ppm), up 0.53 per cent from 377.1 ppm in 2004.
- Concentrations of nitrous oxide also reached record highs in 2005, up 0.19 per cent from 318.6 parts per billion (ppb) to 319.2 ppb
- Methane concentrations remained stable at 1783 parts per billion (ppb).
The 35.4% rise in carbon dioxide since the late 1700s has largely been generated by emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels.
