Emissions hit record levels

GLOBAL warming gases are at record levels from emissions, the UN’s weather agency has warned.

The World Meteorological Organisation said heat-trapping carbon dioxide concentrations in the air have reached 389 parts per million — the highest concentrations since the start of the industrial era in 1750.

It said that reflects a 20% increase in nitrous oxide, 39% rise in CO2 and 158% jump in methane since then. Its report cites fossil fuel-burning, loss of forests that absorb CO2 and use of fertiliser as main culprits.