Levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere hit new heights in 2006, the United Nation's weather agency said in a report released Friday.
The latest report from the World Meteorological Organization found that the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide — two of the three major greenhouse gases — reached record highs in 2006. The third major greenhouse gas, methane, remained relatively stable.
These gases, which have been linked to the Earth's rising temperatures, are produced by natural sources, such as wetlands, and by human activities such as fuel combustion and fertilizer use.
Carbon dioxide rates reached 381.2 parts per million in 2006, up 0.53 per cent from 2005, the annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reported. Studies have shown that CO2 emissions trap heat, causing water evaporation, which in turn leads to more water vapour in the air and contributes to higher temperatures.
In the bulletin, the organization said CO2 levels have soared by almost 36 per cent since the late 18th century, primarily driven by the combustion of fossil fuels.
Additionally, the report found that CO2's contribution to the warming effect is also rising. Geir Braathen, a climate specialist with the agency, said the contribution by carbon dioxide has risen to 91 per cent over the last five years, compared to 87 per cent in the last decade.
"This shows that CO2 is gaining importance as a greenhouse gas," Braathen said.
Nitrous oxide levels also rose in 2006, the report said. Concentrations of that gas grew by 0.25 per cent, up to 320.1 parts per billion (ppb) from 319.2 ppb in 2005.
Methane levels remained fairly steady at 1782 ppb, the organization reported.
The World Meteorological Organization monitors the atmospheric gas levels using data from 44 participating countries.
With files from the Associated PressRelated
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