The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), released its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin earlier this week, reporting that humans are emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a faster rate than ever before, contributing significantly to climate change. By burning fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas for transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and other commercial activities, humans add a molecule to the atmosphere that traps heat and unnaturally warms the planet.
Although carbon dioxide is the most prevalent and potent greenhouse gas, it is not the only major one — and many of its companions are also being emitted at unprecedented rates. The WMO reports historically high levels of the greenhouse gasses methane and nitrous oxide, which like carbon dioxide are common byproducts of human industry. Thanks to all of these emissions, the WMO reports that the heat-trapping potential of the atmosphere is now 51.5% higher than it was in 1990.
