Greenhouse Gases Reached New Record in 2012

The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere hit a new record last year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced Wednesday.

Carbon dioxide alone reached 393.1 parts per million in 2012, or 141 percent of the pre-industrial level. The latest reading follows a 2.2 parts per million increase between 2011 and 2012, representing a jump from the steady 2.02 upward climb that characterized the last decade. Emitted through human activities, namely the burning of fossil fuels, CO2 remains in the atmosphere for hundreds and even thousands of years.

At 1,819 parts per billion, or 260 percent of the pre-industrial level, atmospheric methane also reached a new high in 2012. Though roughly 40 percent of methane is emitted into the atmosphere via natural sources, 60 percent comes from human activities, including cattle breeding, rice agriculture and landfills, among other things, scientists estimate.

Finally, nitrous oxide reached an atmospheric concentration of 325.1 parts per billion in 2012, or 0.9 parts per billion above 2011 and 120 percent of the pre-industrial level. Emitted through fertilizer use, biomass burning and other industrial processes, its impact on climate during a 100-year period is estimated to be nearly 300 times greater than the same amount of CO2.

As grave as this picture is, there is more, the researchers behind the recent report warn, noting that roughly half of the CO2 emitted by human activities is absorbed by the biosphere and ocean.

According to WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud, as greenhouse gases continue to rise, the Earth's fragile ecosystem is becoming increasingly threatened.

"As a result of this, our climate is changing, our weather is more extreme, ice sheets and glaciers are melting and sea levels are rising," Jarrud said in a statement.

To combat these rising levels and their effects, immediate and multilateral action is needed, he added.

"Limiting climate change will require large and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. We need to act now, otherwise we will jeopardize the future of our children, grandchildren and many future generations," Jarraud said. "Time is not on our side."