GENEVA (AP) – The Earth’s climate is facing a critical challenge as heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have reached an all-time high, according to the latest bulletin from the United Nations weather agency. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported a significant increase in carbon dioxide levels, which have not been seen in human civilization before. This alarming rise in carbon dioxide levels is “turbo-charging” the Earth’s climate and causing more extreme weather events, the WMO said on Wednesday.

The WMO’s bulletin, which is based on data from monitoring stations around the world, revealed that the global average concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached 410.5 parts per million (ppm) in 2019. This is a 2.6 ppm increase from the previous year and the highest annual increase ever recorded. The last time the Earth experienced such high levels of carbon dioxide was around 3 million years ago, when sea levels were 10-20 meters higher than they are today and the Earth’s temperature was 2-3 degrees Celsius warmer.

The WMO Secretary-General, Petteri Taalas, warned that this rapid increase in carbon dioxide levels is a clear indication that the Earth’s climate is changing at an unprecedented rate. “The world is facing an urgent climate emergency. The continued increase in carbon dioxide levels is a stark reminder that we need to take immediate and decisive action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the planet. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities are the main sources of carbon dioxide emissions. The WMO’s bulletin also highlighted that the levels of other greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, have also increased significantly in 2019.

The consequences of this rise in carbon dioxide levels are already being felt around the world. The WMO reported that 2019 was the second hottest year on record, with the five hottest years all occurring in the last five years. The Earth’s average temperature has already risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and if we continue on this trajectory, we could reach the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030.

The impact of this rise in temperature is evident in the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The WMO noted that 2019 saw devastating heatwaves, wildfires, and floods in various parts of the world. These events not only cause loss of life and destruction of property, but they also have a significant impact on the economy and the environment.

The WMO’s bulletin serves as a wake-up call for governments and individuals to take immediate action to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change. The United Nations has set a goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and to achieve this, we need to drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The good news is that we still have time to act. The WMO’s bulletin also highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a global economic slowdown, has led to a temporary reduction in carbon emissions. This shows that with the right policies and actions, we can make a significant impact on reducing our carbon footprint.

The WMO has called for a green recovery from the pandemic, where governments invest in sustainable and renewable energy sources and prioritize climate action in their economic stimulus plans. Individuals can also play their part by making small changes in their daily lives, such as using public transportation, reducing meat consumption, and supporting companies that prioritize sustainability.

The WMO’s bulletin may paint a grim picture, but it also serves as a reminder that we have the power to change the course of our planet’s future. We must act now to reduce our carbon emissions and protect our planet for future generations. Let us use this wake-up call to come together and take bold and decisive action towards a more sustainable and resilient future.