WMO: global greenhouse gases at highest levels

Last year's global concentrations of greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide reached their highest levels since pre-industrial times, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said in an annual report on Monday.

These are the three most prevalent, long-lived, human-affected greenhouse gases in the atmosphere after water vapour, reports the organisation. Concentrations of most greenhouse gases continue to increase, it adds.

Since 1990, greenhouse gases have increased "radiative forcing", a measure of global warming, by 26%, the WMO says. Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas, contributing to nearly two-thirds of the increase in radiative forcing since 1750.

Follow-up: WMO press release

http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/press_releases/pr_868_en.html

and Greenhouse Gas Bulletin 2008

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/gaw/ghg/documents/ghg-bulletin2008_en.pdf.

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