Met Office forecasts have predicted that atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide are set to soar through 2019.
Continued deforestation and burning of fossil fuels combined with El Niño-like conditions are expected to lead to an average rise in CO2 concentrations of 2.75 parts per million (ppm). Globally this would mean average CO2 increased to 411ppm.
These predictions put the forecast for 2019 as having one of the highest annual rises in CO2 levels since records began. Greenhouse gases have not been in as concentrated levels as they are today, and the past four years have been the hottest ever recorded.
Professor Richard Betts, from the Met Office, commented: ''Looking at the monthly figures, it’s as if you can see the planet ‘breathing’ as the levels of carbon dioxide fall and rise with the seasonal cycle of plant growth and decay in the northern hemisphere. Each year’s carbon dioxide is higher than the last and this will keep happening until humans stop adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.''
