Amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) entering the Earth's atmosphere will increase by a record amount in 2024, which will consolidate further global warmingaccording to a new report.
CO2 levels increased by 3.5 parts per million (ppm) from 2023 to 2024, the largest single-year increase since modern records began in 1957. The researchers attributed the record increase to humanity's continued use of fossil fuels, an increase in wildfires and less carbon absorption from Earth's carbon sinks (such as oceans and forests), which naturally absorb CO2.2 outside the atmosphere.
“The heat retained by CO2 and other greenhouse gases are changing the climate and leading to even more extreme weather conditions.” Co BarrettThis was stated by the Deputy Secretary General of the WMO. statement. “Reducing emissions is therefore important not only for our climate, but also for our economic security and the well-being of society.”
CO2 and others greenhouse gases trap heat by absorbing radiation. As the concentration of greenhouse gases increases, the average global temperature also increases. consequences of global warming are changing weather conditions, sea level risecompromising our ability to grow food and testing many others Expensive impacts that are ultimately life threatening billions of people.
Climatologists believe that CO2 be the most significant greenhouse gas affecting climate. It has accounted for about 80% of the total greenhouse gas impact on our atmosphere since 1990, according to the Institute. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Atmospheric CO2 levels have risen steadily over the decades. The 3.5 ppm increase in 2024 exceeded the 2.4 ppm increase in 2023 and exceeded the 2.57 ppm average annual growth rate set over the past decade. Total atmospheric CO2 the concentration was about 423.9 ppm in 2024, which is 152% higher than pre-industrial levels—the estimated concentration before 1750.
Methane concentrations (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), the second and third most important greenhouse gases, also increased by record amounts in 2024, up 166% and 25% from their respective pre-industrial levels, the report said.
Largest emitters
ChinaThe US and India were the three largest emitters in 2024, according to data Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research. China accounts for about 29.2% of all greenhouse gas emissions, while the US accounts for 11.1% and India 8.2%. Additionally, China and India increased their emissions compared to 2023, while US emissions remained the same practically unchanged.
China emits staggering amounts of CO2, but also recently set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement. (For second time), which is an international treaty that aims to limit global warming. The President also promised “drill, baby, drill“as part of a strategy to expand oil and gas exploration.
Neither the U.S. nor China is doing enough to tackle emissions, according to the Climate Action Tracker, an independent science project tracking efforts to combat climate change in line with previously agreed upon goals in the Paris Agreement. Climate Action Tracker currently rates China's efforts as “extremely insufficient“and US efforts like”critically insufficient“, second worst and worst rated respectively.
Carbon absorber review
People can directly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere by burning less fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas and limiting other emissions-producing activities. The planet does some of this work for us through carbon sinks, which absorb about half of all CO2.2 emitted every year, and the rest remains in the atmosphere.
However, these carbon sinks may now be under threat, according to the report. As the planet gets hotter, scientists expect shells like the ocean to absorb less CO2.2 because gases do not dissolve well in warmer waters. This process is known as a positive feedback loop, where warming leads to more warming.
“There is concern that CO emissions on land and in the ocean2 absorbers become less efficient, which will increase the amount of CO2 which remains in the atmosphere, thereby accelerating global warming.” Oksana Tarasovasenior scientist at WMO, said in a statement. “Continued and enhanced monitoring of greenhouse gases is critical to understanding these cycles.”
