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UN: CO2 Levels Climbing at Record-Pace

Greenhouse gases at historic highs.

Atmospheric carbon-dioxide levels increased at record speed in 2013, dramatically outpacing previous rates, according to data released by the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Tuesday. It marked the biggest year-over-year increase since the UN began gathering detailed data on carbon-dioxide levels in the 1980s. Nearly all concentrations of greenhouse gases reached record levels, raising fears about accelerated global warming. The report suggests Earth’s plants, animals, and oceans no longer have the same capacity to soak up the excess carbon that humans put into the atmosphere. “If the oceans and the biosphere cannot absorb as much carbon, the effect on the atmosphere could be much worse,” said WMO scientist Oksana Tarasova.