Carbon emissions are 'too high' to curb climate change

The BBC

Carbon emissions are 'too high' to curb climate change

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It is increasingly unlikely that global warming will be kept below an increase of 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels, a study suggests. Data show that global CO2 emissions in 2012 hit 35.6bn tonnes, a 2.6% increase from 2011 and 58% above 1990 levels. The researchers say that emissions are the largest contributor to future climate change and a strong indicator of potential future warming. The findings have been published in the journal Nature Climate Change. Meanwhile, the data has been published in the journal Earth System Science Data Discussions. Many low-lying nations have used the UN conference, which is currently under way in Doha, to call for a threshold temperature rise less than 2C, arguing that even a 2C rise will jeopardise their future. "These latest figures come amidst climate talks in Doha, but with emissions continuing to grow, it's as if no-one is listening to the scientific community," said Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia. "I am worried that the risks of dangerous climate change are too high on our current emissions trajectory," Prof Le Quere said. "We need a radical plan." The researchers' paper says the average increases in global CO2 levels were 1.9% in the 1980s, 1.0% in the 1990 but 3.1% since 2000. Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere hit a new record high in 2011. In its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the organisation said that carbon dioxide levels reached 391 parts per million in 2011. The report estimated that carbon dioxide (CO2) accounted for 85% of the "radiative forcing" that led to global temperature rises. Other potent greenhouse gases such as methane also recorded new highs, according to the WMO report. Greenhouse gases hit record high CO2 'drove end to last ice age' Antarctic may host methane stores No let up in greenhouse gas rise Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Nature Climate Change Morocco rescuers dig with bare hands as foreign aid sent US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' A Serbian scientist's long quest to name Srebrenica's dead How chronic pain feels for me. Video How chronic pain feels for me Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans. Video The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans Inside a 'hijacked' South African building. Video Inside a 'hijacked' South African building The rise and fall of a parenting influencer Florida's first hurricane-proof town The greatest spy novel ever written? Why is everyone crazy about Aperol? 2023 BBC.