Atmospheric CO2 will pass an amazing milestone in 2021
atmosphere carbon Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have soared above terrifying thresholds this year to over 417 parts per million (ppm). This is a 50% increase since the start of widespread industrial activity in the 18th century.
The forecast is from the Met Office, the UK’s National Meteorological Agency, using data collected at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. Although COVID-19 reduced global greenhouse gas emissions slightly in 2020, Pandemic And now La Nina phenomenon (Usually the Pacific weather pattern that reduces global carbon emissions) was not enough to offset previous increases.
“CO2 stays in the atmosphere for so long that annual emissions add to previous year’s emissions and atmospheric CO2 continues to grow,” said the head of the Climate Impact Group of the Met Office. Richard Betts said. Forecasting Principal Investigator, Said in a statement..
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Atmospheric CO2 concentrations follow predictable seasonal fluctuations. Levels peak in May, grow across the Northern Hemisphere over the summer, decrease as they inhale carbon (by photosynthesis), and rise again after September.
Total global CO2 emissions in 2020 decreased by 7% year-on-year, but emissions are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency..
The current La Niña phenomenon, which has caused unusually cool weather since mid-2020, is also expected to reduce CO2 growth this year. This is due to a temporary increase in the amount of carbon stored in ecosystems such as tropical forests. Tropical forests grow faster in cooler conditions.
But that is still not enough to prevent the Earth from reaching this year’s sinister CO2 milestone.
Runaway acceleration
The Mauna Loa Observatory holds the longest-running record of atmospheric CO2 levels in the world.
Since climate scientist Charles David Keeling began these records in 1958, scientists have used data to track atmospheric CO2 levels using the Keeling curve. This graph symbolizes the growing impact of humankind on the Earth’s climate system.
This means that there is much work to be done to achieve the International Panel’s goal on climate change to limit global warming. 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) It exceeds the level before the Industrial Revolution.
“To reverse this trend and slow down the rise in atmospheric CO2, we need to reduce global emissions, and to stop them, we need to reduce global emissions to net zero,” Betts said. Mr. says. “If we want to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, this should happen within the next 30 years.”
Japan Meteorological Agency 2021 CO2 forecast January 8th.
Originally published in Live Science.
Atmospheric CO2 will pass an amazing milestone in 2021
Source link Atmospheric CO2 will pass an amazing milestone in 2021
