GHG emissions keep increasing: 2010 hottest year

To the World Meteorological Organization the main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – keep increasing in the atmosphere, and this despite the efforts and the economic recession. To the WMO :

” The report highlights concerns that global warming may lead to even greater emissions of methane from Arctic areas. To the Bulletin, total radiative forcing of all long-lived greenhouse gases increased by 27.5% from 1990 to 2009.”

Meanwhile, NASA reports 2010 is the hottest year on record so far. It seems that more than ever before, drastic action is needed. Will the call be heard in Cancun ?

The WMO report further notes :

“Greenhouse gas concentrations have reached record levels despite the economic slowdown. They would have been even higher without the international action taken to reduce them,” said WMO Secretary-General Mr Michel Jarraud.

“In addition, potential methane release from northern permafrost, and wetlands, under future climate change is of great concern and is becoming a focus of intensive research and observations.”

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the single most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas in the atmosphere and contributes 63.5% to the overall global radiative forcing by long-lived greenhouse gases.

(…) For about 10,000 years before the start of the industrial era in the mid-18th century, atmospheric carbon dioxide remained almost constant at around 280 ppm (ppm=number of molecules of the gas per million molecules of dry air).

Since 1750, it has increased by 38%, primarily because of emissions from combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation and changes in land-use. During the past 10 years, it has increased by an average annual 1.88%, according to WMO.