Scientists confirm record highs for three most important heat-trapping gases

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

The levels of the three most important heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere reached new record highs again last year, US scientists have confirmed, underlining the escalating challenge posed by the climate crisis. The global concentration of carbon dioxide, the most important and prevalent of the greenhouse gases emitted by human activity, rose to an average of 419 parts per million in the atmosphere in 2023 while methane, a powerful if shorter-lasting greenhouse gas, rose to an average of 1922 parts per billion.

Levels of nitrous oxide, the third most significant human-caused warming emission, climbed slightly to 336 parts per billion. The increases do not quite match the record jumps seen in recent years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), but still represent a major change in the composition of the atmosphere even from just a decade ago.

Through the burning of fossil fuels, animal agriculture and deforestation, the world’s CO2 levels are now more than 50% higher than they were before the era of mass industrialization. Methane, which comes from sources including oil and gas drilling and livestock, has surged even more dramatically in recent years, Noaa said, and now has atmospheric concentrations 160% larger than in pre-industrial times.

Noaa said the onward march of greenhouse gas levels was due to the continued use of fossil fuels, as well as the impact of wildfires, which spew carbon-laden smoke into the air. Nitrous oxide, meanwhile, has risen due to the widespread use of nitrogen fertilizer and the intensification of agriculture. “As these numbers show, we still have a lot of work to do to make meaningful progress in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere,” said Vanda Grubišić, director of Noaa’s global monitoring laboratory.


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/06/record-highs-heat-trapping-gases-climate-crisis

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Link to NOAA ANNOUNCEMENT - No sign of greenhouse gases increases slowing in 2023

[NickB79]

1. It adds up to 500 ppm CO2 equivalent

The last time levels were that high, in the Miocene:

Beech tree shrubbery grew around the edges of Antarctica, vast expanses of green. Further inland, tundra grasses flourished. The southern polar ice cap was greatly diminished. There were still marsupials roaming the land, trapped when South America and Australia broke away at either end 50 million years ago.

Spruce and birch grew at the North Pole, browsed by prehistoric rhino and camel ancestors. There was no polar ice cap.

Sea levels were 50-75 FEET higher, putting most of Florida underwater.

Minnesota looked like Arkansas, with alligators and cypress tree swamps.

It might take centuries to get there, but it's coming, and we can't stop it now.

[Elessar Zappa]

3. I've given up on the idea that we're going to do anything to slow the warming.

At this point, countries and individuals need to focus on adaptation techniques in the face of the oncoming catastrophe.

[et tu]

2. 'drill baby drill'

equals burn baby burn. existential suicide, for our species and destroying
many others in the process- but nations can and must act now!
'slip sliding away' earth's atmosphere- again nations can and must act now!
earth should be topmost on our minds every day and not just april.

[Javaman]

4. Just continue to keep an eye on the thwaites and pice glaciers ice shelves

Once those shelves go, all bets are off.