The Halloween spirit is starting to linger in the form of spooky decorations, but no greater horror can top a future characterized by unbearable weather and an uninhabitable Earth. 

All of us are responsible for climate change, lest we forget this crisis is man-made, requiring us to shift away from a consumerist society that heavily feeds on desires, to a sustainable one that makes environmentally informed purchasing decisions. 

Prioritizing the planet has never been more urgent, especially for top fossil fuel producers, than when the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published a report on global greenhouse gas levels surging to a new record in 2023.

Recent data from the WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch network revealed that the globally averaged surface concentration of CO2 reached 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, marking a 151 percent rise from pre-industrial levels. This calls for an urgent need to cut down on, if not eliminate, fossil fuels — the key driver of climate warming.

The surge in CO2 in 2023 was higher than in 2022 but slightly lower than in the previous three years. The WMO report recorded that the annual increase of 2.3 ppm marks the 12th consecutive year with an increase greater than 2 ppm.

Methane and nitrous oxide concentrations also rose massively, reaching 1,934 parts per billion (ppb) and 336.9 ppb each. They represent a 265 percent and 125 percent soar from pre-industrial levels, indicating we are lagging behind climate goals.

“This should set alarm bells ringing among decision-makers. We are clearly off track to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and aiming for 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. These are more than just statistics. Every part per million and every fraction of a degree temperature increase has a real impact on our lives and our planet,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo in a statement. 

The hike in CO2 last year was due to fossil fuels, widespread vegetation fires, and potentially a drop in forest carbon absorption, according to the report. It added that natural events such as El Niño can worsen the situation, "leading to a vicious cycle where drier vegetation and forest fires reduce the efficiency of land carbon sinks." 

It also noted that from 1990 to 2023, “the warming impact on the climate from long-lived greenhouse gases increased by over 51 percent, with CO2 alone contributing to 81 percent of that rise.” This pattern is expected to persist unless there is a drastic cut in emissions. 

Meanwhile, the organization’s annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin found that CO2 concentrations have climbed by 11.4 percent in 20 years. Despite the growing number of initiatives for sustainability, more action is needed to help reach the ambitious Paris Agreement goals. 

"The bulletin warns that we face a potential vicious cycle. Wildfires could release more carbon emissions into the atmosphere, whilst the warmer ocean might absorb less CO2. Consequently, more CO2 could stay in the atmosphere to accelerate global warming. These climate feedbacks are critical concerns to human society," WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett stated. 

It may look like monumental efforts are needed to be sustainable, but simple habits, like bringing a shopping bag when buying items and resisting the urge to make pointless purchases, can contribute to achieving the Earth's stability. 

Demanding accountability from the top fossil polluters is necessary to mitigate warming, but all of us must do our civic duty in building discipline to be sustainable. It's vital to remember we only have one shared home, and the time to take action was long ago.