CO₂, methane and nitrous oxide have reached their maximum atmospheric levels

Photo: Russian environmental operator

The atmospheric levels of the three main greenhouse gases warming our planet — carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide — are at record levels in 2021. This data is contained in a new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The increase in atmospheric concentration of methane was the highest over the entire observation period. The increase in CO2 and nitrous oxide concentrations in 2021 was also greater than the 10-year average.

As long as emissions continue, global temperatures will rise too, WMO experts warn. Given that CO2 remains in the atmosphere for a long time, current temperature levels would persist for decades, even if emissions were rapidly reduced to zero.

What’s more, it is feared that the ability of terrestrial ecosystems and oceans to absorb carbon dioxide could diminish, depriving the world of a powerful buffer against temperature rise. In some parts of the world, land that used to absorb CO2 has started releasing the gas back into the atmosphere.

Human activity is the cause of the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, so new solutions are needed in many sectors to change the situation. The necessary measures and the report itself will be discussed at the COP27 climate change summit in Egypt in November.

Oksana Tarasova, Senior WMO Researcher, said that the event is to discuss the development of a global monitoring network whose data will provide more information for making important decisions. The methane emission reduction commitments made at the last meeting and measures to implement them will also be discussed.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development said it planned to raise the issue of low-carbon technology exemption from sanctions at the COP27 summit.

Cover photo: kot63 / iStock