CO2 level reaches record high in 2016: WMO

The World Meteorological Organization reports the level of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere has reached a record high this year, driven in part by the powerful El Nino event. 

According to WMO, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached 400 parts per million for the first time in 2015 and surged to new records this year. WMO Secretary General, Petteri Taalas says this symbolic, but significant milestone bodes ill for the planet as these CO2 emissions will stay in



the atmosphere for generations. 

Taalas further said that it is not possible to tackle climate change without tackling CO2 emissions because the lifetime of this greenhouse gas is very long.Taalas welcomes the Paris Climate agreement. But, he notes its impact may be limited as emissions reductions are voluntary and not legally binding. 

He says the world still has a chance to turn things around in the coming decades if it moves from political will to concrete action.