Last year, the average concentration of carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, near Japan reached a record high at all stations.
Although it has been reported that carbon dioxide emissions have decreased due to the effects of measures against the new coronavirus, atmospheric concentrations are still on the rise.
The Japan Meteorological Agency continues to observe carbon dioxide concentrations at three locations: Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, Ayari Sanrikucho, Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, and Minamitorishima, the Ogasawara Islands.
The average concentration for the last year was 417.2ppm in Yonagunijima, 416.3ppm in Ofunato City, and 414.5ppm in Minamitorishima, all of which were higher than the previous year and the highest in the history of observation.
The domestic carbon dioxide concentration has continued to reach a record high every year since the Japan Meteorological Agency began observing it in Ofunato City in 1987.
In addition, observations near 6 km above the southeastern part of Japan and observations at sea by ship have both reached record highs.
Last year, it was reported that social activities were restricted in each country as a countermeasure against the new coronavirus, and carbon dioxide emissions decreased, but the increase is still continuing.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, "To reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, we need to work to reduce emissions even more than last year."