Latest Developments in Global Climate Change

Latest Developments in Global Climate Change

Sham Fu-cheung

The global carbon dioxide concentration continues to rise and reach new highs, even though global carbon emissions briefly declined in 2020 due to the global impact of COVID-19. In March this year, the UK Met Office reported that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere soared to 417 ppm, about 50% higher than the pre-industrial level. Global ocean heat content also reached a new record high in 2020. Ocean warming will make tropical cyclones stronger, and the thermal expansion of sea water will aggravate the rise of sea level.

Record high global carbon dioxide concentration
Source: UK Met Office