Atmospheric carbon levels are leaping. We can't afford more years like this

Each year of high emissions adds to the stock of carbon in the air, bringing us closer to catastrophe

One of the many ironies of the climate crisis is that as temperatures change and extreme weather becomes more common, we need more energy to maintain comfort. Hotter summers have driven an increase in power-hungry air conditioning and cooler temperatures in some places - which may be driven by the melting Arctic - raise demand for heating.

BP's report that carbon emissions from energy use have risen at the fastest rate in nearly a decade reflects those forces, as well as continuing demand from a rising global population and expanding industries.