New figures show atmospheric CO₂ exceeded a dramatic limit last year – NRK Urix – Foreign News & Documentaries

New figures show atmospheric CO₂ exceeded a dramatic limit last year – NRK Urix – Foreign News & Documentaries

The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was 417.06 last year ppm. He appears Annual figures for 2022 who submitted it NOAA in the United States of America.

It is estimated that before carbon dioxide emissions fully began at the end of the 19th century, there were 278 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Thus, for the first time, the carbon dioxide concentration is more than 50 percent higher than it was pre-industrial era.

– More than 50 percent of the pre-industrial period is to some extent an artificial event, but nevertheless a very important milestone, says Cicero climate researcher Bjorn Samst.

Carbon dioxide levels increased by 2.13 parts per million in 2022. This is the fourth highest increase ever.

– These measurements are the truth that gives us a little slap in the face, says Samset.

The past 11 years have seen ppm increases above 2.0, some of which weren’t noticed in the 65 years NOAA has been taking measurements.

– It is the next step in a very dramatic development that we have seen for a long time; There are more greenhouse gases with each passing year, says Samst.

CO₂ in the atmosphere
Measured in parts per million particles (ppm)

Go to the state of the climate in NRK

The greenhouse effect makes the earth livable, but more greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, increase this effect and make the earth warmer. The chart was started in 1960 because that was the year the world began systematically measuring carbon dioxide. It happened on Mauna Loa in Hawaii and the curve shows the measurements from there. Before the world became industrialized, there was about 280 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (in the year 1700). The researchers discovered this by analyzing ice core samples.

No, not right away. If we cut emissions, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase more slowly. The reduction in emissions would have to be significant and last for a long time before we can see the impact.

Imagine the atmosphere is a bathtub and greenhouse gases are the water that fills it. Even if you turn off the tap, the bathtub will not run out of water. This is the case with greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide. It takes a long time for carbon dioxide to decompose in the atmosphere. This is why experts want technology that extracts greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, in addition to cutting emissions.

See also  End of Biden's Wheat Bread Days - VG

The world’s politicians have decided that they are going to try to limit the global warming to 1.5 degrees, compared to what it was before the industrial revolution. Then we must keep the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere below 430 parts per million, according to the United Nations Climate Panel.

Strong methane increase

The amount of methane in the atmosphere also increased sharply in 2022 and reached new levels.

Methane is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but it degrades and disappears faster.

The increase in methane emissions last year was the fourth highest on record. This comes after setting new records in 2020 and 2021.

The concentration of methane in the atmosphere is now two and a half times higher than it was in pre-industrial times.

Methane comes from, among other things, waste that is incinerated, like this landfill in India’s capital, New Delhi.

Photo: Manish Swarup/AP

I don’t know where the methane comes from

During the climate summit in Egypt, about 150 countries pledged to reduce methane emissions.

Since methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, it would be a quick way to reduce emissions.

One problem is that researchers don’t have an overview of where all emissions come from. This is in contrast to CO₂, where there is a good overview.

– For methane, we’re not entirely sure why the concentration went up so sharply, says Samset.

A good percentage of emissions are known. They come from wetlands around the world, they come from livestock and they come from rotting waste.

– When we add all that up and look at how much nature is consuming, the increase in methane should be a little less. So, there’s something we don’t quite understand, says Samset.

A polar bear crosses a street in Norilsk as people get out of their cars on Monday this week.

A hungry and emaciated polar bear wandered around the Siberian industrial city of Norilsk in June 2019, just south of its natural habitat. Experts say that the polar bear’s natural habitat has declined as a result of climate change.

Photo: Irina Yarinskaya/AFP

The sea level was 23 meters higher

– There is a much higher amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere now than there used to be. Far, far, far from anything we humans have seen throughout our existence as a species, says Samset.

– It was caused by us. It went way too quickly and we know from past climates how drastically different conditions were the last time there were large amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, he adds.

Bjorn Samsit, Cicero astrophysicist and climatologist

– The climate on Earth has gone through several stages and there are many factors that influence it. But greenhouse gases are a very important part. It is the blanket that surrounds the earth and makes it a livable climate. Bjorn Samsit says.

Photo: Ismail Burak Akan/NRK

NOAA writes that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere now is as high as it was in the Pliocene epoch, about 4.3 million years ago.

At that time it was about 4 degrees warmer than today and sea level was about 23 meters higher.

Even if conditions aren’t what they were several million years ago, Samset says, that’s an indication of how big changes we can expect now.

– They are in the making as a result of the changes we’ve already made in the amount of greenhouse gases. He says if we fail to control them.

Jabori Obasanjo

Jabori Obasanjo

"Coffee trailblazer. Certified pop culture lover. Infuriatingly humble gamer."

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *