Carbon Dioxide Levels Will Exceed Mark Since 2015

The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has alarmingly surpassed the 400 parts per million (ppm) in 2015. This year is forecasted to be the 1st full year with over 400ppm of the naturally occurring chemical compound in the atmosphere.

According to BBC, CO2 level in the atmosphere has never been this high since 2015. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says that the increase of CO2 level, surpassing the benchmark of 400ppm, will continue to increase and is foreseen to not lower down given the current practices of the generation.

Researchers and experts said that the El Niño event highly contributed to these numbers. The drought conditions in the tropical regions have caused the decrease of CO2 absorption on the ground. In addition, more emissions were produced because of fires that occur during dry conditions.

While human emissions of CO2 remained fairly static between 2014 and 2015, the onset of a strong El Niño weather phenomenon caused a spike in levels of the gas in the atmosphere. Researchers emphasized that while the El Niño event has stopped, the human production of CO2 has not, the impact on climate change still remains.

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said that "The year 2015 ushered in a new era of optimism and climate action with the Paris climate change agreement." "But it will also make history as marking a new era of climate change reality with record high greenhouse gas concentrations," she added.

Aside from the growth of CO2 level, other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide also increased. In 2015, levels of methane were 2.5 times greater compared to the pre-industrial era. On the other hand, nitrous oxide was 1.2 times benchmark.

"Without tackling CO2 emissions, we cannot tackle climate change and keep temperature increases to below 2 degrees C above the pre-industrial era," said Petteri Taalas.

According to World Meteorological Organisation's website, the Paris Agreement on climate change is very crucial to address this alarming issue. In November 2016, leaders from around the world will meet in Morocco to discuss the steps on how to collectively lower CO2 emissions. This is a promising event as early in Semtember 2016, the world’s two largest CO2 emitters, China and the United States, has joined the Agreement which will contribute to encouraging more countries as well.