CO2 emissions outstrip carbon sinks

The rise in atmospheric carbon-dioxide emissions continues to outstrip the ability of the world’s natural ‘sinks’ to absorb carbon, according to an international team of researchers.

The team, under the umbrella of the Global Carbon Project, found that over the last 50 years the average fraction of global CO₂ emissions that remained in the atmosphere each year was around 43 per cent. The rest was absorbed by the Earth’s carbon sinks on land and in the oceans.

During this time this fraction has likely increased from 40 to 45 per cent, suggesting a decrease in the efficiency of the natural sinks. The team believes that the sinks are responding to climate change and variability.

The scientists reported a 29 per cent increase in global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel between 2000 and 2008 (the latest year for which figures are available) and said that, in spite of the global economic downturn, emissions increased by two per cent during 2008.