The Mauna Loa Observatory located in Hawaii, USA has recently reported the highest ever registered levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth’s atmosphere. The observatory discovered the CO2 level to be exceeding 415 Parts Per Million (PPM). It is incumbent to note that the last time Earth experienced such high CO2 concentrations was over three million years ago when sea levels were significantly higher and certain areas of Antarctica were forested.
Impact of Carbon Dioxide Levels on Global Warming
Recent increases in global CO2 levels have had profound impacts on Earth’s climate. The average surface temperature has risen by 1°C since pre-industrial times due to anthropogenic emissions. Despite international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and growing public awareness about climate change, carbon emissions have continued unabated.
In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that if the current rate of emissions remains constant, the world will exceed the global warming limit of 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052. This increase in global temperature will have destructive effects on our planet.
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change
The Paris Agreement, concluded at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) in 2015, aimed at restricting global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It further proposed efforts to limit this temperature rise even 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Contrary to its predecessor, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which only held developed or Annex-1 countries responsible for reducing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), the Paris Agreement makes all countries accountable for decreasing GHGs emissions.
India’s Efforts towards Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
India has put forward its ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ (INDCs) as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement. The country aims to:
1. Lower the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030.
2. Achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from renewable energy resources by 2030.
3. Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
Summary of Key Points
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| CO2 Levels | More than 415 PPM detected at Mauna Loa Observatory. |
| Impact of High CO2 Levels | Rise in Earth’s average surface temperature; risk of surpassing global warming limit of 1.5°C. |
| Paris Agreement | Aims to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius with a further effort to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. |
| India’s INDCs | Emission intensity reduction, increased renewable energy capacity, and creation of a sizable carbon sink. |
About the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a global organisation that provides policymakers with regular evaluations of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts, risks, and possible mitigations. Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the IPCC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
