CO2 levels rising – warnings from the British Antarctic Survey
Global carbon dioxide (CO2 ) levels are rising and the ability of oceans and forests to absorb the greenhouse gas is falling, according to data released by the Global Carbon Project on Friday.
Scientists announced that CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels are rising despite international agreements to curb their production. However, the pattern of emissions has shifted and more than half of global CO2 now comes from developing countries. Meanwhile, the earth’s natural ability to regulate the atmosphere is weakening, according to the report. Some 54% of emissions were absorbed since 2000 by forests and oceans. This is three percentage points below levels absorbed in the previous 40 years.
Professor Corinne Le Quéré from the British Antarctic Survey, one of the leading scientists in the Global Carbon Project, said: “Emissions in 2007 were at the high end of those used for climate projections in the last Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) report. If this trend continues and the natural sinks weaken, we are on track towards the highest projections of climate change.” CA
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