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The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that last year's levels of atmospheric gases were a record high. Theses gases, which include carbon dioxide and methane, contribute greatly to global warming. With rising numbers, people might expect warmer temperatures in the upcoming years.

"The observations highlight yet again how heat-trapping gases from human activities have upset the natural balance of our atmosphere and are a major contribution to climate change," said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud according to BBC News.

The WMO's annual greenhouse gas bulletin measures revealed that carbon dioxide levels reached 393.2 ppm (parts per million) last year. This level has increased by one-third since 1990. Not only has the carbon dioxide level increased, it did so at a much faster rate from 2011 to 2012. Before 2012, the level increased steadily at an average of 2.02 ppm each year for a decade. From 2011 to 2012, however, the ppm increased by 2.2. Scientists estimated due to the spike in levels that by 2016, the ppm could reach 400. In 2012 and in 2013, certain stations had carbon dioxide level readings past 400. The ppm reading during pre-industrial times was 280 ppm.

2012 experienced a spike in the levels other gases as well. Methane, which has been increasing since 2007, measured in at 1,819 ppm in 2012. Before 2007, the levels were relatively steady. This level is 260 percent greater than the levels during the pre-industrial time. Nitrous oxide got a reading of 325.1 ppm, which is 120 percent greater than the levels during the pre-industrial era. The level of nitrous oxide is moving closer and closer to the upper limit set by scientists and environmental groups, which is at 350 ppm.

"The laws of physics and chemistry are not negotiable," said Jarraud. "Greenhouse gases are what they are, the laws of physics show they can only contribute to warming the system, but parts of this heat may go in different places like the oceans for some periods of time."

The report can be found here.