Greenhouse Gases Hit High in 2006.

The panel's report, which said human activity is largely responsible

for global warming, noted that the concentration of carbon dioxide in

the atmosphere is far higher than the natural range over the last

650,000 years.

The World Meteorological Organization also concluded that "Greenhouse

gases are major drivers of global warming and climate change."

The World Meteorological Organization said it based its findings on

readings from 44 countries.

The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change forecast that by

2020, 75 million to 250 million people in Africa will suffer water

shortages, residents of Asia's large cities will be at great risk of

river and coastal flooding, Europeans can expect extensive species

loss, and North Americans will experience longer and hotter heat waves

and greater competition for water.

From The Associated Press, 11/23/07:

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-greenhouse-gases,0,3043913.story

U.N.: Greenhouse Gases Hit High in 2006

By ELIANE ENGELER | Associated Press Writer

GENEVA -

Two of the most important Greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere

reached a record high in 2006, and measurements show that one --

carbon dioxide -- is playing an increasingly important role in global

warming, the U.N. weather agency said Friday.

The global average concentrations of carbon dioxide, or CO2, and

nitrous oxide, or N2O, in the atmosphere were higher than ever in

measurements coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization,

said Geir Braathen, a climate specialist at the Geneva-based agency.

Methane, the third of the three important greenhouse gases, remained

stable between 2005 and 2006, he said.

Braathen said measurements show that CO2 is contributing more to

global warming than previously.

CO2 contributed 87 percent to the warming effect over the last decade,

but in the last five years alone, its contribution was 91 percent,

Braathen said.

"This shows that CO2 is gaining importance as a greenhouse gas,"

Braathen said.

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose by about

half a percent last year to reach 381.2 parts per million, according

to the agency.

Nitrous oxide totaled 320.1 parts per billion, which is a quarter

percent higher than in 2005.

Braathen said it appears the upward trend will continue at least for a

few years.

The World Meteorological Organization's annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin

provides widely accepted worldwide data on the amount of heat-trapping

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Studies have shown that human-produced carbon dioxide emissions heat

the Earth's surface and cause greater water evaporation.

That leads to more water vapor in the air, which contributes to higher

air temperatures.

CO2, methane and N2O are the most common greenhouse gases after water

vapor, according to the meteorological organization.

They are produced by natural sources, such as wetlands, and by human

activities such as fertilizer use or fuel combustion.

There is 36.1 percent more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than there

was in the late 18th century, primarily because of combustion of

fossil fuels, the World Meteorological Organization bulletin said.

A report presented by a U.N. expert panel said last week that average

temperatures have risen 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit in the last 100 years,

and that 11 of the last 12 years have been among the warmest since

1850.

_____________________________________________________

Harry