The Northern Hemisphere is under observation, following a surge in harmful gases, contributing to climate change.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) measured at a Global Monitoring Laboratory surged to a seasonal peak of just under 427 parts per million (426.90 ppm) in May. This is the highest level recorded in the Northern Hemisphere.
Gianpaolo Balsamo, Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W) Director, said about this, “the CO2 concentrations are well measured at the baseline observatories but to provide actionable information, more accurate and timely global maps of CO2 fluxes and concentrations are necessary at monthly frequency and with sufficiently resolved spatial details.”
The G3W is an advisor to WMO members on actions to take to meet Paris Agreement targets.
The aim of G3W is to fill critical information gaps and provide an operational framework that brings all space-based and surface-based observing systems, as well as modelling and data assimilation capabilities in relation to greenhouse gas monitoring.
In April the WMO Executive Council approved a Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W) implementation plan to strengthen the monitoring of heat-trapping gases driving climate change to inform climate mitigation.
Its pre-operational phase is between 2024-2027.
The initial focus will be on the three most important greenhouse gases influenced by human activities, namely carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). It takes into consideration both human and natural influences on the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.