As carbon dioxide levels hit 15 million year high, UN urges action to curb greenhouse gas emissions

Desdemona Despair

30 September 2016 (UN) – The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) urged world leaders to take note of the profound implications of record-high carbon dioxide readings this month and appealed for their increased commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“It is deeply disturbing to learn that global levels of 400 parts per million have now been reached in September for the first time,” said Robert Glasser, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, in a press release yesterday.

“The last time CO₂ levels were this high was 15 to 20 million years ago,” he added.

According to Mr. Glasser, the lowest levels are traditionally recorded September, which translates to the unlikelihood of seeing levels below 400 parts per million for the foreseeable future.

“We know that the safe level is well below this,” he continued. “It also means that we are systematically raising levels of disaster risk for future generations and we can expect more severe weather events in the years ahead.

Climate disasters already account for 90 per cent of all devastations caused by natural hazards – potentially catastrophic, especially for low and middle-income countries that contribute little to greenhouse gas emissions but have huge populations exposed to drought, floods and storms.

“Much more vigorous action is necessary for a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 2 degrees C while the Paris Agreement recognizes that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees C rather than 2 degrees C would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change,” the Special Representative concluded.

UNISDR serves as the focal point for disaster reduction coordination between the UN and regional organizations. Its work is applied to climate change adaptation; building disaster-resilient cities, schools and hospitals; and strengthening the international system for DRR.

As carbon dioxide levels hit 15 million year high, UN urges action to curb greenhouse gas emissions

GENEVA, 29 September 2016 (UNISDR) – The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Robert Glasser, today urged world leaders to take note of the profound implications of this month’s record carbon dioxide readings and to increase their level of commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“It is deeply disturbing to learn that global levels of 400 parts per million have now been reached in September for the first time. The last time CO2 levels were this high was 15 to 20 million years ago.

“September is traditionally when the lowest levels are recorded. This means that we are unlikely to see levels below 400 parts per million for the foreseeable future. We know that the safe level is well below this.

“It also means that we are systematically raising levels of disaster risk for future generations and we can expect more severe weather events in the years ahead. Climate disasters already account for 90% of all disasters caused by natural hazards.

“This is potentially catastrophic especially for low and middle-income countries that contribute little to greenhouse gas emissions but have huge populations exposed to drought, floods, and storms.

“Much more vigorous action is necessary for a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 2°C while the Paris Agreement recognises that limiting global warming to 1.5°C rather than 2°C would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.”

A 2009 study in the journal Science found that the last time in Earth’s history when CO2 levels in the atmosphere were this high for a sustained period was between 15 and 20 million years ago. Then, according to the study, temperatures were between 3C and 6C warmer than today. Ice sheets, the study said, had melted to the point where sea levels rose between 25 and 40 metres.

Record levels of carbon dioxide to fuel disasters