In report released Tuesday by the United Nation’s weather agency, it was stated that more carbon dioxide was emitted into our atmosphere during 2012 than any year since 1984.
The increase in carbon dioxide was 2.9 parts per million (ppm), as reported by the World Meteorological Organization’s annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. This increase in carbon dioxide was enough to put the atmospheric level just 9 ppm away from a level that experts believe could cause serious changes. These include a rise in sea level, drought, or abnormal severe weather that could cause harm around the world.
With this steady rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, the changes to the atmosphere are already being seen. Temperatures have risen 0.8 degrees Celsius, with future increase in temperature likely if the level of carbon dioxide reaches the threshold of 405 ppm. Currently the level is at 396 ppm.
Although carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, experts report that it is possible to lower levels through removal of harmful greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. Stabilizing the atmospheric carbon dioxide at 350 ppm would ensure the prevention of climate and weather changes.
Not only has this increase greenhouse gases led to significant temperature changes, experts are also seeing increases in acidity of the ocean. As more and more greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere, the ocean continues to absorb the gases. This leads to climate changes within the ocean, contributing to the death of calcifying organisms such as coral, algae, mollusks, and plankton.
The good news is that many at the World Meteorological Organization believe that much of the damage that has been done can be reversed through international policymaking that aims at further prevention.