Context:
Greenhouse Gas Bulletin 2024 released.
Highlights of the report:
- Greenhouse Gas Concentrations –
- Globally-averaged surface concentration of Carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2023 is 151% of pre-industrial levels (before 1750).
- The concentration of Methane (CH4) has reached 265% of pre-industrial levels.
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O) levels are at 125% of pre-industrial levels.
- Radiative Forcing – Radiative forcing by LLGHGs has increased by 51.5% between 1990 and 2023.
- The change in net radiation caused by changes in the concentration of greenhouse gas or aerosol concentrations are called Radiative forcing or climate forcing.
- CO2 alone accounts for approximately 81% of this increase in radiative forcing.
- Atmospheric Methane (CH4) – Methane saw its largest 3-year increase on record, primarily due to higher emissions from natural wetlands, which are influenced by climate change.
- Climate change could exacerbate the release of GHGs from ecosystems, increase CO2 emissions from wildfires, and reduce the oceans’ capacity to absorb CO2, collectively amplifying global warming and ocean acidification.
Greenhouse Gas Bulletin:
- Released annually by World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)
- Give detailed analysis on the concentrations of long-lived greenhouse gases (LLGHGs) in the atmosphere.
- Compares current global carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), and Nitrous oxide (N2O) levels with last years and pre-industrial level (before year 1750).
- Provides insights on Radiative forcing changes by LLGHGs like CO2, CH4, and CFCs.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
What is blue carbon?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems
(b) Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils
(c) Carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas
(d) Carbon present in atmosphere
Answer: (a)
