Emissions are now at their highest level for 800000 years, according to press statements issued by the project, and are tracking the high end of projections used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which far exceed 2° C warming by 2100.
"In terms of carbon emissions, it is as if the 2008-09 financial crisis did not happen," said Glen Peters, lead author of the study. "Many saw the global financial crisis as an opportunity to move the world away from persistent and high emissions growth, but the return to emissions growth in 2010 suggests the opportunity was not exploited."
The news comes as the United Nations climate change summit (COP-17) in Durban kicks into high gear this week as negotiators seek to agree on a package of decisions to rein in emissions.
Last year, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide rose to 389,6 parts per million, the highest recorded in at least the past 800000 years.
To have a 50% chance of keeping average temperature from rising by no more than 2° C, carbon-dioxide concentration needs to be kept below 400 parts per million. This is believed to be the threshold above which runaway climate change would occur, including sea-level rise, water stress and extreme weather events. Read the full report here.
Source: Jocelyn Newmarch, Business Day.
