Peak CO2 & Heat-trapping Emissions

The document reports that atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane levels continue to rise, with CO2 expected to break records in May 2022 and methane seeing its largest annual increase in 2021. It identifies the energy sector as the largest global emitter (34%) and the transportation sector as the largest U.S. emitter (27%), arguing that rapid and deep emission cuts across all sectors are necessary this decade to limit warming to 1.5C or below 2C.

• Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are increasing annually, with March 2022 levels reaching 418 ppm, up from 417 ppm in March 2021. It is anticipated that average monthly concentrations will exceed the previous record of 419 ppm in May 2022.
• Methane concentrations experienced their largest annual increase since records began in 1983 during 2021, reaching nearly 1900 ppb. This is 17 ppb higher than the previous year and 162% above pre-industrial levels.
• Global greenhouse gas emissions are driven by five main sectors. Based on 2019 data, the energy sector is the largest contributor at 34%, followed by industry (24%), agriculture (22%), transport (15%), and buildings (5.6%).
• In the United States, the transportation sector was the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, accounting for 27% of the total. Other U.S. contributors include electricity (25%), industry (24%), commercial & residential (13%), and agriculture (11%).

APA

Climate Central (2022). Peak CO2 & Heat-trapping Emissions. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/peak-co2-heat-trapping-emissions

Chicago

Climate Central. Peak CO2 & Heat-trapping Emissions. 2022. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/peak-co2-heat-trapping-emissions.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Peak CO2 & Heat-trapping Emissions |date=4 May 2022 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/peak-co2-heat-trapping-emissions |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2022peak, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Peak CO2 \& Heat-trapping Emissions}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2022}, month = may, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/peak-co2-heat-trapping-emissions}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }