April 23, 2008 = WASHINGTON — Major greenhouse gases in the air are accumulating faster than in the past, despite efforts to curtail their growth.Carbon dioxide concentration in the air increased by 2.4 parts per million last year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday, and methane concentrations also rose rapidly.
Concern has grown in recent years about these gases, with most atmospheric scientists concerned that the increasing accumulation is causing the earth's temperature to rise, potentially disrupting climate and changing patterns of rainfall, drought and other storms.
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has worked to detail the scientific bases of this problem and the Kyoto agreement sought to encourage countries to take steps to reduce their greenhouse emissions.
Some countries, particularly in Europe, have taken steps to reduce emissions.
But carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, have continued to increase. More >>>
