The levels of the main greenhouse gases in the atmosphere recorded new records in 2021, indicates a report published yesterday by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which especially warns of an unprecedented increase in the concentration of methane.
The levels of methane in the atmosphere have registered their biggest annual increase since its presence began to be measured systematically almost 40 years ago and, according to the WMO, which says it is not yet clear why, it may be due to a combination from natural causes and human activity.
The organization says that the increase in methane levels occurs mainly in tropical areas and, above all, in swampy areas, where global warming may be accelerating the decomposition of organic matter, thus increasing methane emissions.
Other important sources of methane are rice crops and livestock farms, WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said at a press conference quoted by the Efe news agency.
Levels of carbon dioxide – the main greenhouse gas responsible for 80% of global warming – rose between 2020 and 2021 above the average of the last decade, and measurements taken in recent months suggest this increase has continued into 2022.
According to Petteri Taalas, the emission cuts observed in many countries – both permanent and due to the confinements caused by the covid-19 pandemic – have not been reflected in the atmosphere so far.
Levels of nitrous oxide, the third most important gas for climate change, also continued to rise.
In 2021, carbon dioxide concentrations were 415.7 parts per million (ppm), methane concentrations were 1,908 parts per billion (ppmm), and nitrous oxide concentrations were 334.5 ppmm, which are respectively 149%, 262% and 124% of pre-industrial levels.
The document presented today (WMO will release another one) will serve as a basis for discussions at the next climate summit (COP27), which will take place in November in the Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh.
The WMO warned that rising levels of greenhouse gases show that the world is heading in the wrong direction and indicates once again that more ambition is needed to contain climate change.
