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Record Greenhouse Gas Levels in 2023 Intensify Global Warming Concerns, UN Reports
Greenhouse gas concentrations surged to unprecedented levels in 2023, locking the planet into a trajectory of rising temperatures, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO’s latest greenhouse gas bulletin, released Monday, highlights the accelerating accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—now increasing faster than at any point in human history. In just two decades, CO2 concentrations have jumped by 11.4%.
This past year saw a notable increase in CO2 emissions, exceeding 2022 levels and marking the second-largest annual rise in the last decade. The WMO attributes the sharp rise to a combination of severe forest fires and a decline in carbon absorption by forests, compounded by sustained human-generated CO2 emissions. The report also shows that methane and nitrous oxide levels reached record highs, with CO2 now standing at 151% of pre-industrial levels, methane at 265%, and nitrous oxide at 125%.
Ahead of the COP29 climate summit scheduled for next month in Baku, Azerbaijan, WMO Secretary-General Celest Saulo warned that these findings should “set alarm bells ringing” for global policymakers. “We are clearly off track to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, with an aim for 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels,” Saulo noted. “These are more than just statistics; each part per million and every fraction of a degree increase has real consequences on our lives and our planet.”
In a related report, the United Nations also issued an assessment of the current state of national climate policies, finding that commitments made by countries under their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are still insufficient to curb the worst impacts of climate change. The UN report shows that the collective efforts fall far short of the emissions cuts required to limit warming to the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a 43% reduction in emissions is needed by 2030 to meet this target. However, under current policies, global emissions are only projected to decline by 2.6% from 2019 levels by the end of the decade—a reduction of about 51.5 gigatonnes of CO2, which the UN states is “marginal progress.” The report underscores the need for significantly more ambitious climate actions ahead of the February 2024 deadline for updated NDCs.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that current national plans are “miles short” of what is necessary to avert catastrophic climate outcomes. “This report should be a turning point,” said Stiell, urging leaders to deliver substantial progress at COP29. He further highlighted the transformative potential of ambitious climate policies, suggesting they could bring economic and social benefits alongside environmental gains.
The findings come on the heels of a sobering assessment from the United Nations Environment Programme last week, which indicated that the possibility of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is “virtually zero.” The mounting evidence of missed climate targets has intensified calls for action, as COP29 approaches with renewed global focus on addressing the climate crisis.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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