Greenhouse gases at new peak in sign of Asia growth - Reuters

Source: Reuters

Greenhouse gases at new peak in sign of Asia growth
Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:54pm EST

By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent

TROLL STATION, Antarctica (Reuters) - Atmospheric
levels of the main greenhouse gas have set another new
peak in a sign of the industrial rise of Asian economies
led by China, a senior scientist said on Saturday.

"The levels already in January are higher than last
year," said Kim Holmen, research director of the
Norwegian Polar Institute, during a visit to the Troll
scientific research station in Antarctica by Norway's
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Holmen said measurements at a Norwegian station high
in the Arctic showed levels of carbon dioxide, the main
greenhouse gas, were around 394 parts per million, up
about 1.5 parts per million from the previous records
early in 2008.

-snip-

The carbon levels usually peak just before the arrival
of spring in the northern hemisphere, where most of
the world's industries, land masses and plants are
found. Levels then dip because plants soak up carbon
dioxide as they grow.

Holmen said that the 2008 levels might still rise
fractionally higher in coming weeks.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSLAU98592520080119

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