Greenhouse gases are gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. In the atmosphere, their interaction with infrared radiation ultimately leads to a warming of the atmosphere and surface.
Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases reflect a balance between emissions from human activities (such as the burning of fossil fuels), natural sources, and sinks in the biosphere and ocean. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activities have been the major driver of climate change since the mid-twentieth century. Global average mole fractions of greenhouse gases (as shown in the figures) are calculated from in situ observations made at multiple sites in the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme of WMO and partner networks.
The ocean is a sink for CO2. Some of the excess CO2 in the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean. CO2 reacts with seawater and lowers its pH. This process is known as ocean acidification.
A 1.1 Observed increases in well-mixed greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations since around 1750 are unequivocally caused by human activities. Since 2011 (measurements reported in AR5), concentrations have continued to increase in the atmosphere, reaching annual averages of 410 parts per million (ppm) for carbon dioxide (CO2), 1866 parts per billion (ppb) for methane (CH4), and 332 ppb for nitrous oxide (N2O) in 2019. Land and ocean have taken up a near-constant proportion (globally about 56% per year) of CO2 emissions from human activities over the past six decades, with regional differences (high confidence).
In 2021, greenhouse gas mole fractions reached new highs, with globally averaged surface mole fractions of carbon dioxide (CO2) at 415.7 ± 0.2 parts per million (ppm), methane (CH4) at 1908 ± 2 parts per billion (ppb) and nitrous oxide (N2O) at 334.5 ± 0.1 ppb, respectively 149%, 262% and 124% of pre-industrial (1750) levels.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most important greenhouse gases. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is measured at stations around the world which are combined to provide a globally representative value.
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Carbon_dioxide_data_files.zip
Checksum: bd9f23ff19b9490f93c4e57ac483eadb
Format: BADC CSV format
Original data file (external link)
Citation: WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, No.18, 2022. 26 October 2022 ISSN 2078-0796.
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas. The concentration of CH4 in the atmosphere is measured at stations around the world which are combined to provide a globally representative value.
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Methane_data_files.zip
Checksum: 1a1285a7789c85868896eacd2256fe6a
Format: BADC CSV format
Original data file (external link)
Citation: WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, No.18, 2022. 26 October 2022 ISSN 2078-0796.
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas. The concentration of N2O in the atmosphere is measured at stations around the world which are combined to provide a globally representative value.
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Nitrous_Oxide_data_files.zip
Checksum: 281842e5dace085ee403d7bf7fa87731
Format: BADC CSV format
Original data file (external link)
Citation: WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, No.18, 2022. 26 October 2022 ISSN 2078-0796.
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Carbon_dioxide_growth_rate_data_files.zip
Checksum: d04929cd6fa470acbf99a741b8a524bc
Format: BADC CSV format
Original data file (external link)
Citation: WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, No.18, 2022. 26 October 2022 ISSN 2078-0796.
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Methane_growth_rate_data_files.zip
Checksum: c52fdf4eaa00ada7c4782ea3883b95e3
Format: BADC CSV format
Original data file (external link)
Citation: WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, No.18, 2022. 26 October 2022 ISSN 2078-0796.
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Nitrous_oxide_growth_rate_data_files.zip
Checksum: e248b6dad0a1522087a83fce68300524
Format: BADC CSV format
Original data file (external link)
Citation: WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, No.18, 2022. 26 October 2022 ISSN 2078-0796.
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
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