Carbon Dioxide Levels in Earth's Atmosphere Reached a New Record in 2017

The World Meteorological Organization, affiliated with the United Nations, announced on Tuesday, December 6, that in 2017, the volume of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere reached a new record, with no signs of reduction observed. This news casts doubt on hopes for a decrease in carbon dioxide production, which results from fossil fuel consumption and is the main driver of global warming. Petteri Taalas, the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, stated in a statement: "Scientific assessments in this area are very clear. Without a rapid reduction in the volume of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the impacts of global warming will become more destructive and irreversible. The opportunities for action in this regard are running out." According to the organization's findings, the volume of carbon dioxide, which was about 403 parts per million in 2016, reached 405.5 in 2017. This level of increase aligns with the average rate of carbon dioxide increase over the past decade, which, according to the World Meteorological Organization, is the fastest rate of increase in 55 million years. The amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere has increased by about 46% since the pre-industrial era and the year 1750. Oksana Tarasova, head of the organization's atmospheric research, said: "The most concerning issue is that half of the increase in carbon dioxide since the pre-industrial era has occurred in the last 30 years." Due to the occurrence of the weather phenomenon "El Niño" in 2016, which usually leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide concentration afterward, it was expected that the increase in this greenhouse gas would be less in 2017. Specific regulations for implementing the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 are set to be established in negotiations next month initiated by the United Nations in Poland. The goal of the Paris Climate Agreement is to end fossil fuel consumption in the 21st century. Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, also reminded all member countries in a letter that these countries are obligated under international human rights laws and treaties to prevent climate change and mitigate its consequences. The United States is the only country that has announced its withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, and Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned scientific reports on climate change. On Monday, he rejected reports from U.S. agencies and experts regarding the destructive consequences of global warming, adding that the U.S. would not take such actions until China, Japan, and other economic powers reduce their carbon dioxide emissions.