Research published in Earth System Science Data found that nitrous oxide emissions from human activity have increased by 40 percent over the past four decades, in part due to rising global demand for meat and dairy products. The research found that nitrous oxide emissions over the past decade have exceeded even the highest predicted levels in the emission pathways.

Continuing to emit greenhouse gases at current rates would "really impact" the world's ability to meet the Paris Agreement's long-term goal of limiting global warming to "well below" 2°C, says the lead author of the Carbon Brief study. (Orla Dwyer, Carbon Brief, more at eco-business.com)