Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached record levels in 2006 according to a report released by the WMO . According to the news the levels of the main “heat trapping” gas that contributes to global warming reached concentrations higher than ever recorded. The WMO said the levels reached 387.2 parts per million, which is 36 percent higher than levels before the industrial revolution.

The World Meteorological Organization report also found that the levels of nitrous oxide (the number 3 greenhouse gas) also reached record levels. This gas is primarily produced by industrial processes and those levels exceeded per-industrial levels by 19 percent at 320 ppm. The good news is that methane (number 2 amongst greenhouse gases) actually remained constant. This is evidence that Siberian permafrost is remaining frozen. Scientists fear that if this permafrost does begin to melt the methane trapped within could be released causing an acceleration in global warming.

Even though methane levels appear stabilized they are still 155 percent higher than at the turn of the century. Methane comes from rotting vegetation in landfills and other decay of organic matter including the digestive process of cows. This news from Reuters also revealed that over 190 nations are set to meet in Bali, Indonesia from December 3-14 to launch 2 years of negotiations on a new treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. It is important to note here that the United States is the single highest contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and that President Bush has refused to sign the treaty.

Conclusion
The scientific community seems to be rallying behind the need to stem the effect of these gases on our world. There is still much debate about just how much (of any?) contribution human beings have on global anything – or even the fact that there is such a thing as global warming. At least evidence is being gathered and many countries are very concerned. The U.S.’s reluctance to adhere to the protocol and join these other nations is disturbing and particularly so since we are supposed to be leaders.

From my perspective perhaps we should all start to look elsewhere for guidance on proper action on a global scale. This reminds me of riding in a really fast car at breakneck speed and the driver is saying: “Don’t worry – it is fine!” while the rest of the passengers scream in terror.

Image courtesy - Reuters