According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the concentration of planet-heating pollutants reached record highs in 2023. Carbon dioxide levels rose to 420 ppm—51% higher than pre-industrial levels—driven by persistent fossil fuel burning, wildfires, and reduced carbon absorption by trees. Methane and nitrous oxide levels also surged, rising to 1,934 ppb and 336.9 ppb, respectively.
The WMO warns that we are “off track” to meet the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting warming to 1.5°C. Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that every ppm rise has real impacts, from stronger wildfires to warmer oceans, potentially triggering climate feedback loops.
Though emissions growth has slightly slowed, atmospheric concentrations continue to climb, echoing conditions from millions of years ago when temperatures were 2-3°C higher and sea levels were 10-20 meters above today’s levels. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
Picture Credit: Mark Waugh/Alamy