Greenhouse gas emissions predicted to hit historic highs

A recently released study shows that greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil-fuel fuels and cement production will reach a record high this year, fueled primarily by rapid growth in Chinese industries.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Global Carbon Project forecasts a 2.3% rise in world carbon dioxide emissions to 37 billion tones in 2014, and warns that if the pattern continues, it will be difficult to meet targets for controlling climate change.

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"A break in current emission trends is urgently needed," said the report, published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The study reported that current emission rates are causing the world to fall behind in its goal to keep average temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.

To achieve this goal, global emissions should not exceed 1,200 billion tons within the next 30 years, the report estimates.

"If this were a bank statement it would say our credit is running out," warned Dave Reay, a University of Edinburgh professor who specializes in carbon management.

The study revealed that China is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

This year, China's emissions would climb to 10.4 billion tons, up by about 4.5%, while the U.S. will contribute 5.4 billion tons, and the European Union will only contribute 3.4 billion tons.

The study comes ahead of the September 23 United Nations climate summit in New York, which is aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions in a noticeable way.

A statement on the summit's website by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asks world leaders to "bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and mobilize political will" with an aim to creating an international agreement to be finalized in Paris in 2015.

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