In 2018, average concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxide rose and again beat previous figures. Carbon dioxide concentrations increased by 0.57% to 407.8 ppm by volume, according to the Annual Report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Human activities in the last century have led to a relatively sharp and sustained increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, which in turn leads to an increase in the average global temperature and global climate change. Scientists have recently proven anthropogenic contribution to climate change by the “5 Sigma Standard”. New WMO data collected from dozens of stations around the world show that in 2018, the concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and n2O nitrogen oxide are key (in terms of their effect on the heat balance) long-lived greenhouse gases, has increased again.

The concentration of carbon dioxide increased from 405.5 to 407.8 ppm, which is 147% of the level of 1750, from which it is customary to count the conditional beginning of the industrial revolution. Methane concentration rose to 1869 ppb (billionths of a volume fraction) or 259% of the pre-industrial level, and the concentration of nitric oxide in 2018 averaged 331.1 ppb or 123% of the 1750 level. In addition, the rate at which the concentration of these gases in the world atmosphere has increased over the past ten years has also increased.

Recently, German scientists conducted a simulation-based on Paleoclimatology data and found that the current level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has peaked over the past three million years. In addition to the average annual concentration, scientists also monitor peak maximums. In May, for the first time in the history of measurements, scientists recorded the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at 415 ppm.