CO2 levels highest ever recorded

In 2005, globally averaged concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere reached their highest levels ever recorded. The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) 2005 Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, published today, says quantities of CO₂ were measured at 379.1 parts per million (ppm), up 0.53 per cent from 377.1 ppm in 2004.

After water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are the three most prevalent greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere respectively. Greenhouse gases are some of the major drivers behind global warming and climate change.

The latest Bulletin precedes WMO’s participation at the second meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (to reduce greenhouse gas emissions), in conjunction with the twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Nairobi from 6 to 17 November 2006.

Concentrations of N₂O also reached record highs in 2005, up 0.19 per cent from 318.6 parts per billion (ppb) to 319.2 ppb while methane remained stable at 1783 ppb.

For the full Bulletin, see: http://www.wmo.int/web/arep/gaw/ghg/ghgbull06.html

See also: http://www.wmo.int/web/Press/PR_762_E.doc