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In 2005, globally averaged concentrations of carbon dioxide
(CO2) in the atmosphere
reached their highest level ever recorded. According to the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) 2005 Greenhouse Gas Bulletin,
published on November 3, 2006, quantities of CO2 were measured at 379.1 parts per million (ppm), up 0.53 per cent from 377.1
in 2004.
After water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane ( CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the three most prevalent
greenhouse gases
in the earth's atmosphere respectively. Greenhouse gases are some of the major drivers behind global
warming and climate change.
Concentration of N2O also reached record highs in 2005, up 0.19 per cent from 318.6 parts per billion (ppb) to 319.2 ppb
while methane remained stable at 1783 ppb ( methane growth has slowed during the past decade).
The 35% rise in carbon dioxide since the late 1700s has largely been generated by emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels.
Around one third of N2O discharged into the air is a result of human activities such as fuel consumption, biomass burning,
fertilizer
use.
Human activity such as fossil fuel exploitation, rice agriculture, biomass burning, landfills and ruminant farm animals account for
some 60% of atmospheric methane, with natural processes including those produced by wetlands and termites responsible for the
remainig 40%.
Accurate atmospheric observations from some 44 WMO Members are archived and distributed by the World Data Center for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG),
located at Japan Meteorological Agency.
WMO is the United Nations' authoritative voice on weather, climate and water.
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