Title: Record CO2 Levels Linked to Extreme Weather, UN Agency Reports

Heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere surged last year, reaching a peak not seen in human history, according to a report from the United Nations weather agency. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its annual bulletin on greenhouse gases on Wednesday, highlighting that CO2 growth rates have tripled since the 1960s and now match levels that existed over 800,000 years ago.

The WMO attributed this increase to emissions from burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, as well as an uptick in wildfires. These factors have contributed to a “vicious climate cycle,” where human activities continue to release heat-trapping gases while the planet's oceans and forests struggle to absorb them. The report noted that the rise in global average CO2 concentration from 2023 to 2024 marked the highest annual increase since measurements began in 1957.

From 2011 to 2020, the average annual increase of CO2 was 2.4 parts per million (ppm). However, this rate accelerated to 3.5 ppm from 2023 to 2024. WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett stated, "The heat trapped by CO2 and other greenhouse gases is turbo-charging our climate and leading to more extreme weather. Reducing emissions is therefore essential not just for our climate but also for our economic security and community well-being."

Oksana Tarasova, a senior scientific officer at WMO, expressed concern about the implications of rising CO2 levels. She indicated that the increase might signal a problem in the carbon cycle, where natural systems are losing their ability to absorb emissions. Tarasova pointed to the Amazon rainforest, which has experienced severe drought and heat, limiting its capacity to absorb CO2. She warned, "At a certain point, we may flip over the tipping point and then the whole Amazon forest just starts dying."

Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, described the new data as "alarming and worrying." He noted that while fossil fuel emissions were relatively stable last year, the report indicated an accelerating rise in atmospheric CO2, suggesting a feedback loop from burning forests and warming oceans. Hare stated, "Let there be no mistake, this is a very clear warning sign that the world is heading into an extremely dangerous state — and this is driven by the continued expansion of fossil fuel development, globally."

The WMO urged policymakers to take more decisive action to reduce emissions. Despite some governments advocating for increased use of hydrocarbons, various businesses and local governments are mobilizing efforts to combat global warming. However, Hare remarked that few countries have made new climate commitments that adequately address the severity of the climate crisis.

The report also highlighted that the increase in CO2 levels is setting the planet on a trajectory for long-term temperature rises. Methane and nitrous oxide, other greenhouse gases produced by human activity, have also reached record levels. This raises concerns about the global community's ability to meet the targets set in the 2015 Paris climate accord, which aims to limit the average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell has indicated that the Earth is currently on track for a 3 degrees Celsius increase.

Data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that carbon dioxide levels continue to rise at one of the highest rates on record, although not as steeply as the previous year. Monthly data from Hawaii's long-term monitoring site indicates that CO2 rates are still increasing, but at a slower pace than observed between 2023 and 2024.