Atmospheric GHG concentrations breaking records
“The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2013, propelled by a surge in levels of carbon dioxide”
United Nations World Meteorological Organization, 2014
Greenhouse Gases
CO2 now 142%, methane 253%, and nitrous oxide 121% of pre industrial levels
“In 2013, concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere was 142% of the pre-industrial era (1750), and of methane and nitrous oxide 253% and 121% respectively”
United Nations World Meteorological Organization, 2014
ATMOSPHERIC CO2 INCREASE FASTEST IN 30 YEARS
“Far from falling, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere actually increased last year (2013) at the fastest rate for nearly 30 years. We must reverse this trend by cutting emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases across the board. We are running out of time”– Secretary-General Michel Jarraud
United Nations World Meteorological Organization, 2014
“Climate Change: How Do We Know? For 650,000 years atmospheric carbon dioxide has never been above this line, this graph, based on the comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements, provides evidence that atmospheric CO2 has increased since the Industrial Revolution”
NASA, 2001
Agriculture GHG breakdown; 9% co2, 40% methane, 50% nitrous oxide
“Globally, about 9% of emissions in the entire agricultural sector consist of CO2, 35% to 45% of methane and 45% to 55% of nitrous oxide”
UN Environment Programme, 2012
Since 1950 developed nations have created 72% of CO2 emissions
“Environmentally, developed nations account for about 72% of total carbon dioxide emissions that accumulated in the atmosphere between 1950 and 2000. Thus, to the extent cumulative CO2 may be contributing to global warming, developed nations bear the preponderant responsibility”
Federation of American Scientists, 2008
Developed nations create the most greenhouse gas emissions
“A few countries account for most greenhouse gas emissions: in 2000, the United States led by emitting 19% of the world total, followed by China with 14%; no other country reached 6%; the top seven emitters accounted for 52% of the 185 nations’ emissions”
Federation of American Scientists, 2008
Agricultural CO2 derives from energy usage, animal respiration, deforestation, and grassland conversion
“CO2 is also produced on farms from fossil fuels and energy usage and, as some authors highlight, by the exhalation of animals, which is generally not taken into account. Additionally, deforestation and conversion of grassland into agricultural land releases considerable quantities of CO2 and N2O [nitrogen oxide] into the atmosphere, as the soil decomposes carbon rich humus. In Europe (the EU-27), for example, enteric fermentation was the main source (36%) of GHG emissions in the livestock sector, followed by N2O soil emissions (28%)”
UN Environment Programme, 2012
