New report says global carbon emissions on the rise despite reduction efforts

by Rich Bowden - Sep 28 2008, 22:15

Damning new evidence presented by a scientific body has shown a four-fold increase in carbon emissions throughout the world since 2000, despite ongoing efforts to reduce them.

Img: CO2 pollution. Credit: Gregory Heath , CSIRO.

The Global Carbon Project, a joint carbon cycle project sponsored by the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Research (IHDP), and the World Climate Research Program, found that emissions from the use of fossil fuels and land use changes had almost reached 10 billion tonnes in 2007.“This is a concerning trend in light of global efforts to curb emissions,” said Dr. Pep Canadell, Global Carbon Project (GCP) executive director and a carbon specialist based at CSIRO in Canberra, Australia. Dr. Canadell also added that atmospheric carbon had far outstripped the growth of natural carbon dioxide sinks such as forests and oceans. The results were released by Dr. Canadell in Washington, and also in Paris by Dr. Michael Raupach, the GCP co-Chair. Dr. Canadell said the figures were disturbing in light of efforts to reduce carbon emissions."Econom[ies] have grown substantially and at the same time we've been saying we're doing all sorts of different things to address climate change and reduce emissions," he said. "So it comes a little as a shock when you look at the measurements and compare what happened in 1990 and what has been happening in 2000 is so strikingly different."One of the reasons behind the surge in atmospheric carbon was the growth of emerging powerhouses such as India and China, Dr. Canadell explained."What we are talking about now for the first time is that the absolute value of all emissions going into the atmosphere every year are bigger coming from less developing countries than the developed world," he told the Reuters news agency. "The other thing we confirm is that China is indeed now the top emitter."Professor Barry Brook, director of the Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability at the University of Adelaide, Australia, said the increase in carbon emissions would lead to a greater warming of the planet.Saying that CO2 concentrations could reach as high as 450 ppm (parts per million) by 2030 instead of 2040, as originally predicted, Prof. Brook warned: "But whatever the specific date, 450 ppm CO2 commits us to 2ºC global warming and all the disastrous consequences this sets in train."The Global Carbon Project was founded in 2001 and looks at changes in the global carbon cycle taking into account increases in carbon emissions and the rate of how carbon is absorbed through natural carbon sinks.

Comment on this Story

Interested in a more interactive TTH? Join our Facebook Group
Want regular updates from The Tech Herald? Follow us on Twitter

Comment on this Story

Note our older Talkback system is still running below. We hope to import existing comments into the new system shortly. Guest posting is still allowed, however, you can now login with any number of social network accounts.

Talkback

Add your comment (no registration required)

page: 1

pmcgehan@madec.edu.auSep 29th, 2008 - 05:29:40

So carbon's on the rise despite everything we do. Time to reconsider the origin of the carbon.
I would like to nominate volcanic activity as the most likely candidate.
Consider this : In the late 60s and early 70s, more volcanoes started venting. This means they're pumping heat and gas into the atmosphere.
In 1975, the spike in carbon levels began.
We know that when the earth warms,more carbon is released (not the other way round, which, at the present time, is a theory that still hasn't been conclusively proved).
So, after several years of volcanic venting, the carbon levels shoot upwards. Everybody wants to blame it on the nasty human race (ooooh, we're so nasty!!!) but maybe, just maybe nature itself is responsible?
The fact that carbon levels are still rising fits neatly with the news that hundreds of volcanoes are still venting. Still pumping out the heat and gases. Still pumping up the carbon levels?
And it's not our fault at all!
Ironic, isn't it? We're trying to save the planet from extinction and it's doing the bad stuff all the time!

Report this comment

HarbingerSep 29th, 2008 - 17:42:59

What a ludicrous photograph claiming to represent CO2 pollution. The now iconic way of photographing steam plumes against the sky and calling it pollution is one of the many disreputable ways the media promotes the 'CO2 is dangerous myth'. So carbon emissions have increased, OK then, if this nasty gas is doing what it is claimed to to do, why are global temeperatures falling and have done so for the last 7-8 years. Bit of a disconnect somewhere I think.

Report this comment

Enough with the photosSep 29th, 2008 - 21:20:33

I agree with the photos of power plant steam plumes and smokestacks. Carbon Dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas and can't be shown by smokestacks. If you really want to see some carbon emissions, take a photo of a sensationalist journalist breathing. Remember, the major byproduct of humans is carbon dioxide - it's what you breath out all day, every day.

Report this comment

page: 1

Add your comment (no registration required)

Science

New report says global carbon emissions on the rise despite reduction efforts

Comment on this Story

Talkback

Latest

Latest Articles on Monsters&Critics

In The Tech Herald

Site

The Fine Print