UN: Global concentrations of carbon dioxide at record level, exceed worst-case projections

GENEVA – The U.N. weather agency says concentrations of global warming gases are at record levels from emissions that exceed scientists’ worst-case scenarios.

The World Meteorological Organization says heat-trapping carbon dioxide concentrations in the air have reached 389 parts per million – the highest such concentrations since the start of the industrial era in 1750.

WMO says that reflects a 20 per cent increase in nitrous oxide, 39 per cent rise in CO2 and 158 per cent jump in methane since then.

Its report Monday cites fossil fuel-burning, loss of forests that absorb CO2 and use of fertilizer as main culprits.

The concentrations exceed the worst of seven emissions scenarios in 2001 from the U.N.’s expert climate panel.