Global carbon dioxide levels hit new record, will have 'destructive impact'

'The window of opportunity for action is almost closed,' says UN official about the chance to act

Greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere reached a record not seen since sea levels were 10 metres to 20 metres higher than they are now, the World Meteorological Organization said in a report.

Concentrations of carbon dioxide and other Earth-warming gases rose last year and are 41 percent higher than in 1990, driving a long-term increase in the global temperature, the United Nations organization said in its annual assessment of the trend.

The findings add to pressure on envoys from almost 200 nations gathering next month in Poland to discuss ways of reining in climate change. The WMO said higher CO2