New figures show the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has reached a record high. The World Meteorological Organization says emissions that cause global warming threaten to be 12 billion tons higher in 2020 than the level needed to avoid a temperature rise of more than two degrees Celsius. Unveiling the findings, WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said the heating of the planet will bring more extreme weather.

Michel Jarraud: “If you look at the major greenhouse gases — in particular, CO2, methane and nitrous oxide — for all these major greenhouse gases, the concentrations are reaching once again record levels. We are worried not only about the impact on temperature, which is important, but also the impact on the water cycle: more droughts, more floods in other parts of the world. We are worried about the impact on a number of extreme weather events. We are worried about the impact on the sea level.”