The level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere again broke the record
In 2023, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that contribute to global warming – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – again reached the highest levels in the entire history of observations. This was reported by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Due to the burning of fossil fuels, the development of animal husbandry and deforestation, the level of carbon dioxide is now 50% higher than before the era of mass industrialization.
Methane enters the atmosphere during the drilling of oil and gas wells, as well as from the natural emissions of cows and other ruminant animals. Now its concentration in the atmosphere is 160% higher than in pre-industrial times.
The content of nitrous oxide in the air has increased by 25% in about a century and a half due to the widespread use of nitrogen fertilizers, sewage pipe cleaning and fuel burning.
Scientists from NOAA note that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today is comparable to what it was about 4.3 million years ago. There were no people then, the sea level was almost 23 meters higher, and trees grew in the arctic tundra.
- Greenhouse gases are one of the main factors of global warming. Due to the increase in global temperature, floods, droughts, forest fires, storms, cold and heat waves occur more often and become more intense. Natural disasters lead to the death and migration of people and animals, the destruction of houses and infrastructure, and the destruction of land plots.
