The record of CO2 emissions that marks the beginning of a “new era” of climate change – BBC World

Image copyright NASA

Image caption the united States, China and Europe dominate the emissions of carbon dioxide.

The levels of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere already exceed consistently the symbolic mark of 400 parts of CO2 per million molecules (ppm).

And everything indicates that it will remain so “over many generations.”, warned the international Meteorological Organization (IMO) in its latest report.

The symbolic mark -which many scientists believe is irrefutable evidence of the human responsibility on climate change – had already been overtaken for the first time in modern history last year.

But, according to the IMO, all indicates that 2016 is going to be the first full year in overcoming the crisis, in good measure because of the recent El Niño phenomenon.

“The drought conditions in the tropical regions caused by The Child reduced the capacity of the vegetation to absorb CO2,” explained Matt McGrath, correspondent for environmental issues of the BBC.

“And the fires caused by the dry conditions also resulted in additional emissions,” added the expert.

Image copyright NOAA

Image caption The station in the observatory of Mauna Loa in Hawaii was the first to record the historical brand.

The international Meteorological Organization, however, cautioned that si well factor The Child has already disappeared, the same is not true with the human impact on climate change.

“And if not addressed the problem of the CO2 emissions can’t fight climate change and keep temperature rise below two degrees celsius compared to the industrial era,” said the organization’s secretary-general, Petteri Taalas.

According to experts, the last time CO2 levels were regularly above 400 ppm was five million years ago.

And, before 1800, levels remained at about 280 ppm, according to figures from the office for national control atmospheric and oceanic U.S., NOAA

The report of the IMO also highlighted the growth of other greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide.

In 2015, the methane levels were 2.5 times higher than the pre-industrial era while the nitrous oxide was 1.2 times above the historic highs.

Image copyright Reuters

Image caption the reduction of CO2 levels is fundamental in the combat against climate change.

And the study also highlighted the impact of the greater volume of these gases on the climate of the planet.

According to the data of the IMO, between 1990 and 2015, occurred an increase of 37% of the forcing radioactive, as it is known to the warming effect caused by the accumulation of these substances arising from industrial activities, agricultural and domestic.

In December, 2015 about 200 countries signed a country agreement to combat climate change and a meeting to decide the next steps will take place in Morocco in November of this year.