Air monitoring study reports massive CO2 rise

Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels have risen by 29 per cent in less than a decade, new research has revealed.

Scientists from the University of East Anglia measuring CO2 levels in the earth's atmosphere found that between 2000 and 2008, emissions increased by nearly 30 per cent.

Last year, carbon dioxide output caused by fossil fuels jumped by two per cent compared with 2007, despite the worldwide economic downturn - which was expected to reduce emissions.

The study also reported data which indicates that the earth is not able to deal with CO2 as well as previously. Since 1959, the researchers estimate that the fraction of total carbon dioxide emissions remaining in the planet's atmosphere has increased from 40 to 45 per cent.

According to the scientists, this indicates that natural CO2 sinks are not absorbing carbon at a fast-enough rate to keep pace with man-made emissions.

Professor Corinne Le Quere, lead author of the research, said: "The earth's carbon sinks are complex and there are some gaps in our understanding, particularly in our ability to link human-induced CO2 emissions to atmospheric CO2 concentrations on a year-to-year basis."

Ms Le Quere added that gaining a greater understanding about these carbon sinks would allow the effectiveness of activities designed to reduce climate change to be monitored and evaluated.

World leaders are due to meet in Copenhagen next month to discuss a global strategy for combating climate change and reducing CO2 emissions.

Posted by Joseph Hutton