EUROPE: The Obama administration has pledged to reduce USA emissions by up to 28 percent by the year 2030, compared with the baseline year of 2005. But two other key greenhouse gases – methane and nitrous oxide – appear to be increasing at a fast rate, the report said.
“Concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are now reaching levels not seen on Earth for more than 800,000, maybe even one million years”, WMO head Michel Jarraud said to reporters. While methane levels are not as high as carbon dioxide, methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas.
Scientists have long advocated keeping Carbon dioxide levels below 400 parts per million, a crucial threshold that if exceeded, would cause major climate disruptions. It’s worth noting that the WMO only publishes figures relating to atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases-the work doesn’t consider emissions. Past, present and future emissions will have a cumulative impact on both global warming and ocean acidification. “The laws of physics are non-negotiable”. This year is on track to be a record 1.8 degrees hotter than the 19th-century average, hitting a symbolic milestone in the temperature rise that scientists blame mostly on human activities, Britain’s weather service said Monday. “We are moving into unchartered territory at a frightening speed”.
“The commitments, which are on the table, are not yet enough to stay within this two degree target, which was agreed”, said Jarraud. It’s just not feasible.
