WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin - No.18: The State of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere Based on Global Observations through 2021
The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin represents the latest analysis of observations from the WMO GAW Programme through 2021. It shows globally averaged surface mole fractions for carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and compares them with the mole fractions during the previous year and with the preindustrial levels. It also provides insights on the change in radiative forcing by long-lived GHGs (LLGHGs) and the contribution of individual gases to this increase.
In yet another ominous warning for the future of our planet, atmospheric levels of the three main greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide all reached new record highs in 2021, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
WMO’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reported the biggest year-on-year jump in methane concentrations in both 2020 and 2021 since systematic measurements began nearly 40 years ago. The reason for this exceptional increase is not clear, but seems to be a result of both biological and human-induced processes.
About the series
This Bulletin represents the latest analysis of observations from the WMO GAW Programme.
