What is the essence of the greenhouse effect? Greenhouse effect

Is there really nothing that can regulate the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? Of course it can. Oxygen does this job perfectly. But the problem is that the planet’s population is growing inexorably, which means that more and more oxygen is being consumed. Our only salvation is vegetation, especially forests. They absorb excess carbon dioxide and release much more oxygen than humans consume.

Greenhouse effect and Earth's climate

When we talk about the consequences of the greenhouse effect, we understand its impact on the Earth's climate. First of all, this is global warming. Many people equate the concepts of “greenhouse effect” and “global warming”, but they are not equal, but interrelated: the first is the cause of the second.

Global warming is directly related to the oceans. Here is an example of two cause-and-effect relationships.

1. The average temperature of the planet is rising, liquid begins to evaporate. This also applies to the World Ocean: some scientists are afraid that in a couple of hundred years it will begin to “dry up.”
2. At the same time, due to high temperatures, glaciers and sea ice will begin to actively melt in the near future. This will lead to an inevitable rise in sea levels.

We are already observing regular floods in coastal areas, but if the level of the World Ocean rises significantly, all nearby land areas will be flooded and crops will perish.

Impact on people's lives

Do not forget that an increase in the average temperature of the Earth will affect our lives. The consequences can be very serious. Many areas of our planet, already prone to drought, will become absolutely unviable, people will begin to migrate en masse to other regions. This will inevitably lead to socio-economic problems and the outbreak of the third and fourth world wars. Lack of food, destruction of crops - this is what awaits us in the next century.

But does it have to wait? Or is it still possible to change something? Can humanity reduce the harm from the greenhouse effect?

Actions that can save the Earth

Today, all the harmful factors that lead to the accumulation of greenhouse gases are known, and we know what needs to be done to stop it. Don't think that one person won't change anything. Of course, only all of humanity can achieve the effect, but who knows - maybe a hundred more people are reading a similar article at this moment?

Forest conservation

Stopping deforestation. Plants are our salvation! In addition, it is necessary not only to preserve existing forests, but also to actively plant new ones.

Every person should understand this problem.

Photosynthesis is so powerful that it can provide us with huge amounts of oxygen. It will be enough for the normal life of people and the elimination of harmful gases from the atmosphere.

Use of electric vehicles

Refusal to use fuel-powered vehicles. Every car emits a huge amount of greenhouse gases each year, so why not make a healthier choice for the environment? Scientists are already offering us electric cars - environmentally friendly cars that do not use fuel. The minus of a “fuel” car is another step towards eliminating greenhouse gases. All over the world they are trying to speed up this transition, but so far the modern developments of such machines are far from perfect. Even in Japan, where such cars are used the most, they are not ready to completely switch to their use.

Alternative to hydrocarbon fuels

Invention of alternative energy. Humanity doesn't stand still, so why are we stuck using coal, oil and gas? Burning these natural components leads to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, so it's time to switch to an environmentally friendly form of energy.

We cannot completely abandon everything that emits harmful gases. But we can help increase oxygen in the atmosphere. Not only a real man should plant a tree - every person must do this!

What is the most important thing in solving any problem? Don't close your eyes to her. We may not notice the harm from the greenhouse effect, but future generations will definitely notice it. We can stop burning coal and oil, preserve the natural vegetation of the planet, abandon a conventional car in favor of an environmentally friendly one - and all for what? So that our Earth will exist after us.

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………2 – 3

1. The essence and concept of the greenhouse effect…………………………..4 - 10

1.1 Greenhouse effect……………………………………………………4 - 5

1.2 Greenhouse gases……………………………………………………...6 - 10

2. Consequences of the greenhouse effect………………………………….11 - 12

3. Environmental forecasting…………………………………….13 - 14

4. Ways to reduce the impact of the greenhouse effect on the state of the Earth’s climate…………………………………………………………………………………..15 - 16

Conclusion……………………………………………………………...17

References………………………………………………………..18

Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………..19

Introduction.

Protection of the natural environment and rational use of natural resources is one of the pressing global problems of our time. Its solution is inextricably linked with the struggle for peace on Earth, for the prevention of nuclear disaster, disarmament, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation of states.

Something strange is going on with the weather! Old people talk about this on the benches. Scientists talk about this at their seminars and conferences. Old-timers are surprised to notice that numerous folk signs like: “If the summer was cold, then winter...” It’s as if processes are taking place in nature that no longer fit into the previous schemes and formulas. Anomalous and quite powerful ordinary earthquakes, enormous floods and hurricanes have become frequent guests in many countries of the world, which previously knew about such troubles only by hearsay.

In recent decades, we have all observed a sharp increase in temperature, when in winter instead of negative temperatures, we observe thaws of up to 5–8 degrees Celsius for months, and in the summer months there are droughts and hot winds that dry out the soil of the earth and lead to its erosion. Why is this happening?

Scientists claim that the cause is, first of all, the destructive activities of mankind, leading to global climate change on the Earth.

The combustion of fuel in power plants, a sharp increase in the amount of waste from human production activities, an increase in motor transport and, as a consequence, an increase in carbon dioxide emissions into the Earth's atmosphere with a sharp reduction in the forested area, led to the emergence of the so-called greenhouse effect of the Earth.

1. The essence and concept of the greenhouse effect.

1.1 Greenhouse effect.

What is happening to the Earth's climate?

Human activity can lead to heating of the globe beyond its maximum permissible limits.

There are opposing opinions that the Earth's climate is changing, on the contrary, towards cooling. And, in general, in recent years, meteorologists from different countries have come to the conclusion that something has gone wrong in the comprehensive weather system on the globe. In their opinion, the climate on earth is beginning to change for the worse. Some meteorologists believe that a global natural disaster is approaching, which will be difficult to prevent. What should we fear: drought, crop failure, famine, or, conversely, count on a gradual improvement in the weather and a return to the climatic conditions of the first half of the 20th century, considered the best in world history.

Most scientists agree that the atmosphere, however, is warming rather than cooling. The reason for this is the enormous changes made by man. Now, according to meteorologists, human activity is becoming an increasingly important factor influencing the Earth's climate balance. The reason for this may be various factors, however, many scientists associate this with the greenhouse effect.

The concept of the greenhouse effect first appeared in physics. It was formulated by Tyndall back in 1863. In 1896, Arrhenius showed that carbon dioxide, which makes up an insignificant part of the atmosphere (about 0.03%), maintains its temperature 5-6 degrees C higher than if this gas were absent. In 1938, Callender first suggested the possible influence of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions on climate.

The greenhouse effect is the retention of a significant part of the thermal energy of the Sun at the earth's surface, which occurs due to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide. This happens because the atmosphere transmits most of the sun's radiation. Some of the rays are absorbed and heat the earth's surface, which heats the atmosphere. Another part of the rays is reflected from the surface of the Planet and this radiation is absorbed by carbon dioxide molecules, which contributes to an increase in the average temperature of the Planet.

The effect of the greenhouse effect is similar to the effect of glass in a greenhouse or greenhouse (this is where the name "greenhouse effect" comes from).

1.2 Greenhouse gases.

Let's consider what happens to bodies in a glass greenhouse. High energy radiation enters the greenhouse through the glass. It is absorbed by the bodies inside the greenhouse. They then themselves emit lower energy radiation, which is absorbed by the glass. The glass sends some of this energy back, providing extra heat to the objects inside. In exactly the same way, the earth's surface gains additional heat as greenhouse gases absorb and then release lower energy radiation.

Gases that cause the greenhouse effect due to their increased concentration are called greenhouse gases. These are mainly carbon dioxide and water vapor, but there are other gases that absorb energy coming from the Earth. For example, chlorofluorine containing hydrocarbon gases, for example, freons or freons, as well as in small quantities ozone, methane, nitrogen oxide. The concentration of these gases in the atmosphere is also increasing. [page 180]

NATURAL GAS.

Natural gas used in the energy sector is a non-renewable energy resource, but at the same time it is the most environmentally friendly type of traditional energy fuel. Natural gas is 98% methane,

the remaining 2% comes from ethane, propane, butane and some other substances. When gas is burned, the only truly dangerous air pollutant is a mixture of nitrogen oxides.

At thermal power plants and heating boiler houses that use natural gas, carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to the greenhouse effect, are half as much as at coal-fired power plants that produce the same amount of energy.

The use of liquefied and compressed natural gas in road transport makes it possible to significantly reduce environmental pollution and improve air quality in cities, that is, to “slow down” the greenhouse effect. Compared to oil, natural gas does not produce as much environmental pollution during production and transportation to the point of consumption.

Natural gas reserves in the world reach 70 trillion cubic meters. If current production volumes continue, they will last for more than 100 years. Gas deposits are found both separately and in combination with oil, water, and also in the solid state (so-called gas hydrate accumulations). Most natural gas fields are located in inaccessible and environmentally sensitive areas of the Arctic tundra.

Although natural gas does not cause a greenhouse effect, it can be classified as a “greenhouse” gas because its use releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to the greenhouse effect.

CARBON DIOXIDE.

Carbon dioxide CO2 is formed during the complete oxidation of oxygen-containing fuel. CO2 released into the atmosphere remains in it for an average of 2-4 years. During this time, it spreads everywhere across the earth's surface. The influence of CO2 is expressed not only in its toxic effect on living organisms, but also in its ability to absorb infrared rays. When the earth's surface is heated by the sun's rays, part of the heat in the form of infrared radiation is reflected back into space. The reflected heat is partially intercepted by gases that absorb infrared radiation. If this phenomenon occurs in the troposphere, then the observed increase in temperature can lead to climate change - the greenhouse effect. It is CO2 emissions that largely determine the process of climate warming.

During combustion, as is known, oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released. As a result of this process, every year humanity emits 7 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere! It’s hard to even imagine this magnitude. At the same time, forests on Earth are being cut down - one of the most important consumers of carbon dioxide, and they are being cut down at a rate of 12 hectares per minute!!! So it turns out that more and more carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere, but less and less is consumed by plants.

The carbon dioxide cycle on Earth is disrupted, so in recent years the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been increasing, albeit slowly but surely. And the more it is, the stronger the greenhouse effect.

METHANE

The next largest contributors to the greenhouse effect are methane CH4 and nitrous oxide N2O. The concentration of both gases is determined by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Thus, a natural source of CH4 is waterlogged soils in which anaerobic decomposition processes occur. Man added his own sources - rice plantations, extraction and transportation of natural gas, burning of biomass, etc. Natural suppliers of N2O to the atmosphere include the ocean and soil. The anthropogenic additive is associated with the combustion of fuel and biomass and the leaching of nitrogen fertilizers. There is an assumption that methane is the main cause of warming. In particular, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences N.A. Yasamanov, suggest that methane is mainly to blame for the current global warming. Many “climate activists” consider the greenhouse effect and anthropogenic CO2 emissions into the atmosphere to be synonymous. Meanwhile, this gas does not rise to the upper layers of the atmosphere, but in the lower layer it is successfully absorbed by vegetation and soil organisms, and dissolves in rivers, lakes and seas. Most of the CO2 is spent on building the skeleton of aquatic organisms and is absorbed by phytoplankton, and the excess accumulates in bottom sediments. Methane from the earth's surface quickly reaches the boundary of the troposphere and stratosphere. Not only is it actively involved in the greenhouse effect, at an altitude of 15-20 km under the influence of sunlight it decomposes into hydrogen and carbon, which, when combined with oxygen, forms CO2. Where does methane come from into the atmosphere? It is formed in swamps when organic matter rots. No wonder it is also called swamp gas. Vast mangroves in the tropics also supply it in considerable quantities. It also enters the atmosphere from tectonic faults and cracks during earthquakes. Anthropogenic methane emissions are also large. Natural and anthropogenic emissions are estimated to be around 70% and 30%, but the latter are growing rapidly. In general, the steady increase in methane content in the atmosphere, recorded in recent decades, casts doubt on the fact that climate change is caused only by those anthropogenic factors that the “Kyoto enthusiasts” (Kyoto Agreement) who are rapidly multiplying in an increasingly warm climate are so fond of discussing.

NITROGEN OXIDES.

Thermal energy produces about 50% of nitrogen oxide emissions into the atmosphere. In quantitative terms, emissions of nitrogen oxides are 3-5 times lower than sulfur dioxide. However, they are more toxic, contribute to the formation of photochemical smog, and lead to the accumulation of ozone in the ground layer, which enhances the greenhouse effect. Nitrogen oxides have a pronounced irritating effect, especially on mucous membranes.

Sources of trace gases, primarily nitrogen oxides, are the combustion of fossil fuels and biota. Methane is released as a result of agricultural activities (livestock farming, rice growing), as well as due to disruption of the natural methane filter (from bacteria). Halogenocarbons are exclusively of anthropogenic origin.

If you look at the data on the greenhouse effect in different countries, you might be horrified. (see Appendix 1)

2. Consequences of the greenhouse effect.

As a result of atmospheric emissions, the average annual temperature has increased and continues to increase. And if the temperature continues to increase, this will have a serious impact on the global climate:

1. More rainfall will occur in the tropics as the additional heat will increase the water vapor content in the air.

2. In dry areas, rains will become even more rare and they will turn into deserts, as a result of which people and animals will have to leave them.

3. Sea temperatures will also rise, leading to flooding of low-lying coastal areas and an increase in the number of severe storms.

4. Rising temperatures on Earth can cause sea levels to rise because:

a) water, when heated, becomes less dense and expands; the expansion of sea water will lead to a general rise in sea level;

b) rising temperatures could melt some of the perennial ice covering some land areas, such as Antarctica or high mountain ranges.

The resulting water will eventually flow into the seas, raising their levels. It should be noted, however, that melting ice floating in the seas will not cause sea levels to rise. The Arctic ice cover is a huge layer of floating ice. Like Antarctica, the Arctic is also surrounded by many icebergs.

Climatologists have calculated that if the Greenland and Antarctic glaciers melt, the level of the World Ocean will rise by 70-80 m.

5. Residential land will be reduced.

6. The water-salt balance of the oceans will be disrupted.

7. The trajectories of cyclones and anticyclones will change.

8. If the temperature on Earth increases, many animals will not be able to adapt to climate change. Many plants will die from lack of moisture, and animals will have to move to other places in search of food and water. If rising temperatures lead to the death of many plants, then many species of animals will also die out.

In addition to the negative consequences of global warming, there are several positive ones. On the surface, a warmer climate appears to be a good thing, with the potential for lower heating bills and longer growing seasons in mid- and high-latitudes. Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide can speed up photosynthesis.

However, potential yield gains may be offset by disease damage caused by pests, as rising temperatures will speed up their reproduction. Soils in some areas will be unsuitable for growing staple crops. Global warming would likely accelerate the decomposition of organic matter in soils, resulting in additional carbon dioxide and methane entering the atmosphere and accelerating the greenhouse effect. What awaits us in the future?

3. Environmental forecasting

Various measures are currently being discussed that could prevent the growing “anthropogenic overheating” of the Earth. There is a proposal to extract excess CO2 from the air, liquefy it and inject it into the deep ocean using its natural circulation. Another proposal is to disperse tiny droplets of sulfuric acid in the stratosphere and thereby reduce the arrival of solar radiation on the earth's surface.

The enormous scale of anthropogenic reduction of the biosphere already gives reason to believe that the solution to the CO2 problem should be carried out by “treating” the biosphere itself, i.e. restoration of soil and vegetation cover with maximum reserves of organic matter wherever possible. At the same time, the search should be intensified, aimed at replacing fossil fuels with other energy sources, primarily environmentally harmless, not requiring oxygen consumption, wider use of water, wind energy, and for the future - the energy of the reaction of matter and antimatter.

It is known that every cloud has a silver lining, and it turns out that the current industrial decline in the country has turned out to be beneficial - environmentally. Production volumes have decreased. and, accordingly, the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere of cities has decreased.

The solution to the problem of clean air is very real. The first is the fight against the reduction of the Earth's vegetation cover, a systematic increase in its composition of specially selected species that cleanse the air of harmful impurities. The Institute of Plant Biochemistry has experimentally proven that many plants are capable of absorbing from the atmosphere components harmful to humans, such as alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as carbonyl compounds, acids, alcohols, essential oils and others.

A big place in the fight against air pollution belongs to the irrigation of deserts and the organization of cultivated farming here, and the creation of powerful forest shelterbelts. A huge amount of work remains to be done to reduce and completely stop the emission of smoke and other combustion products into the atmosphere. The search for technology for “pipeless” industrial enterprises operating according to a closed technological scheme - using all production waste - is becoming increasingly urgent.

Human activity is so grandiose in scope that it has already acquired a global nature-forming scale. Until now, we have mainly been looking to take as much as possible from nature. And the search in this direction will continue. But the time is coming to work just as purposefully on how to give back to nature what we take from it. There is no doubt that the genius of mankind is capable of solving this enormous task.

Ways to reduce the impact of the greenhouse effect on the Earth's climate

The main measure to prevent global warming can be formulated as follows: find a new type of fuel or change the technology for using current types of fuel. This means that it is necessary:

Reduce fossil fuel consumption. Dramatically reduce the use of coal and oil, which emit 60% more carbon dioxide per unit of energy produced than any other fossil fuel overall;

use substances (filters, catalysts) to remove carbon dioxide from smokestack emissions from coal-burning power plants and factory furnaces, as well as automobile exhaust;

increase energy efficiency;

require new homes to use more efficient heating and cooling systems;

increase the use of solar, wind and geothermal energy;

significantly slow down the deforestation and degradation of forests;

remove reservoirs for storing hazardous substances from coastal areas;

expand the area of ​​existing reserves and parks;

Create laws to prevent global warming;

identify the causes of global warming, monitor them and eliminate their consequences.

The greenhouse effect cannot be completely eliminated. It is believed that if not for the greenhouse effect, the average temperature on the earth's surface would be -15 degrees Celsius.

A number of recent actions taken at the international level can be considered attempts at climate control. These include some decisions taken at climate conferences under the UNFCCC, in particular decisions to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusion.

Man thinks that he is able to tame nature, but this is not at all true. Unfortunately, we understand this only when it is too late, when nature begins to play with us according to its own rules.

I believe that now all efforts must be made to ensure that the environment around us and us feel good, namely, that a closed cycle is developed in every production, that is, that nothing is thrown into the air or into rivers, but everything processed and used. Everyone will benefit from this. The state will receive additional products, and people will breathe clean air.

The problem is that when the hypothesis about anthropogenic factors of global warming is confirmed, it will be too late to do anything. It is likely that the prospect of the greenhouse effect could catalyze worldwide awareness of the urgent need to take action to protect our Earth.

Bibliography.

Glushkova, V.G., “Ecological and economic problems of Russia and its regions”, ed. "Moscow Lyceum", 2003

Miller, T. “Life in the Environment”: in 3 volumes: program for a universal ecologist. education: [transl. from English ] / Tyler Miller. – M.: Progress: Pangea, 1996 – 3 volumes.

Miller, T. “Life in the Environment”: in 3 volumes: program for a universal ecologist. education: [transl. from English ] / Tyler Miller. – M.: Progress: Pangea, 1993 – 1 volume.

Nikanorov, A.M. Global ecology [Text]: textbook. allowance / A.M. Nikanorov, T.A. Horuzhaya. – M.: PRIOR, 2000.

Udaltsov, G.A. “Ecology and the Future”, Moscow, ed. 1988

"Kaleidoscope" 12(46), 1997

Application.

Table 1.

The greenhouse effect is the delay of the planet's thermal radiation by the Earth's atmosphere. Any of us has observed the greenhouse effect: in greenhouses or greenhouses the temperature is always higher than outside. The same thing is observed on a global scale: solar energy, passing through the atmosphere, heats the surface of the Earth, but the thermal energy emitted by the Earth cannot escape back into space, since the Earth’s atmosphere retains it, acting like polyethylene in a greenhouse: it transmits short light waves from the Sun to the Earth and delays long thermal (or infrared) waves emitted by the Earth's surface. A greenhouse effect occurs.The greenhouse effect occurs due to the presence of gases in the Earth's atmosphere that have the ability to trap long waves.They are called “greenhouse” or “greenhouse” gases.

Greenhouse gases were present in the atmosphere in small quantities (about 0,1%) since its formation. This amount was enough to maintain the Earth's thermal balance at a level suitable for life due to the greenhouse effect. This is the so-called natural greenhouse effect; if it weren’t for it, the average temperature of the Earth’s surface would be 30°C lower, i.e. not +14° C, as it is now, but -17° C.

The natural greenhouse effect does not threaten either the Earth or humanity, since the total amount of greenhouse gases was maintained at the same level due to the cycle of nature, moreover, we owe our lives to it, provided that the balance is not upset.

But an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to an increase in the greenhouse effect and disruption of the Earth’s thermal balance. This is exactly what happened in the last two centuries of civilization. Coal-fired power plants, car exhaust, factory chimneys and other human-made sources of pollution emit about 22 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year.

The role of the greenhouse effect

The Earth's climate is greatly influenced by the state of the atmosphere, in particular, the amount of water vapor and carbon dioxide present in it. An increase in water vapor concentration causes an increase in cloudiness and, consequently, a decrease in the amount of solar heat reaching the surface. And a change in the concentration of carbon dioxide CO 2 in the atmosphere is the cause of weakening or strengthening greenhouse effect, in which carbon dioxide partially absorbs the heat emitted by the Earth in the infrared range of the spectrum, followed by its re-emission towards the earth's surface. As a result, the temperature of the surface and lower layers of the atmosphere increases. Thus, the phenomenon of the greenhouse effect significantly influences the moderation of the Earth's climate. In its absence, the average temperature of the planet would be 30-40°C lower than it actually is, and would not be +15°C, but -15°C, or even -25°C. At such average temperatures, the oceans would very quickly become covered with ice, turning into huge freezers, and life on the planet would become impossible. The amount of carbon dioxide is influenced by many factors, the main ones being volcanic activity and the life activity of terrestrial organisms.

But the greatest impact on the state of the atmosphere, and, consequently, on the Earth’s climate on a planetary scale, is exerted by external, astronomical factors, such as changes in solar radiation fluxes due to the variability of solar activity and changes in the parameters of the Earth’s orbit. The astronomical theory of climate fluctuations was created back in the 20s of the twentieth century. It has been established that a change in the eccentricity of the Earth's orbit from a possible minimum of 0.0163 to a possible maximum of 0.066 can lead to a difference in the amount of solar energy falling on the Earth's surface at aphelion and perihelion by 25% per year. Depending on whether the Earth passes its perihelion in summer or winter (for the northern hemisphere), such a change in the flux of solar radiation can lead to general warming or cooling on the planet.

The theory made it possible to calculate the time of ice ages in the past. Up to the errors in determining geological dates, the century of a dozen previous icing events coincided with the readings of the theory. It also allows us to answer the question of when the next closest icing should occur: today we live in an interglacial era, and it does not threaten us for the next 5000-10000 years.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The concept of the greenhouse effect was formed in 1863. Tyndall.

An everyday example of the greenhouse effect is heating from the inside of a car when it is parked in the sun with the windows closed. The reason for this is that sunlight comes through the windows and is absorbed by the seats and other objects in the cabin. In this case, light energy turns into heat, objects heat up and release heat in the form of infrared, or thermal, radiation. Unlike light, it does not penetrate through the glass to the outside, that is, it is captured inside the car. Due to this, the temperature rises. The same thing happens in greenhouses, which is where the name of this effect comes from, the greenhouse effect (or greenhouse Effect). Globally, carbon dioxide in the air plays the same role as glass. Light energy penetrates the atmosphere, is absorbed by the surface of the earth, converted into its thermal energy, and released in the form of infrared radiation. However, carbon dioxide and some other gases, unlike other natural elements of the atmosphere, absorb it. At the same time, it heats up and in turn heats the atmosphere as a whole. This means that the more carbon dioxide it contains, the more infrared rays will be absorbed and the warmer it will become.

The temperature and climate to which we are accustomed are ensured by a concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of 0.03%. Now we are increasing this concentration, and a warming trend is emerging.
When concerned scientists warned humanity a few decades ago about the increasing greenhouse effect and the threat of global warming, they were initially looked upon as comical old men from an old comedy. But soon it became no laughing matter at all. Global warming is happening, and very quickly. The climate is changing before our eyes: unprecedented heat in Europe and North America is causing not only massive heart attacks, but also catastrophic floods.

In the early 60s in Tomsk, frost of 45° was common. In the 70s, a drop in the thermometer below 30° below zero already caused confusion in the minds of Siberians. The last decade scares us with such cold weather less and less often. But strong hurricanes have become the norm here, destroying roofs of houses, breaking trees, and cutting power lines. Just 25 years ago in the Tomsk region, such phenomena were very rare! To convince someone that global warming has become a fact, it is no longer enough to look at press reports, domestic and international. Severe droughts, monstrous floods, hurricane winds, unprecedented storms - now we have all become involuntary witnesses of these phenomena. In recent years, Ukraine has experienced unprecedented heat, tropical downpours, which lead to devastating floods.

Human activity at the beginning of the 21st century leads to a rapid increase in the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere, which poses the threat of destruction of the ozone layer and sudden climate change, in particular global warming. To reduce the threat of a global environmental crisis, it is necessary to significantly reduce the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere everywhere. Responsibility for reducing such emissions must be shared among all members of the world community, which differ significantly in many respects: level of industrial development, income, social structure and political orientation. Because of these differences, the question inevitably arises as to what extent a national government should control air emissions. The debatability of this problem is further enhanced by the fact that to date no agreement has been reached on the impact of the increasing greenhouse effect on the environment. However, there is a growing understanding that, given the threat of global warming with all the ensuing devastating consequences, limiting harmful emissions into the atmosphere is becoming a task of paramount importance.

The coastal areas of the Azov and Black Seas are facing a real threat of extinction. The catastrophic floods that we are already dealing with will also occur much more frequently. For example, the Dnieper dams, in particular the Kiev dam, were built taking into account the most devastating floods ever to occur on the Dnieper.

The rapid increase in industrial and other air polluting emissions has led to a dramatic increase in the greenhouse effect and the concentration of gases that destroy the ozone layer. For example, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide CO 2 in the atmosphere has increased by 26%, with more than half of the increase occurring since the early 1960s. Concentration of various chloride gases, primarily ozone depleting ones chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), in just 16 years (from 1975 to 1990) increased by 114%. The concentration level of another gas involved in creating the greenhouse effect, methane CH 4 , has increased by 143% since the start of the Industrial Revolution, with about 30% of this growth occurring since the early 1970s. Until urgent action is taken at the international level, rapid population growth and increasing incomes will be accompanied by accelerating concentrations of these chemicals.

Since careful documentation of weather patterns began, the 1980s have been the warmest decade. Seven of the hottest years on record were 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990, with 1990 being the hottest on record. However, until now, scientists cannot say for sure whether such climate warming is a trend under the influence of the greenhouse effect or whether it is just natural fluctuations. After all, the climate has experienced similar changes and fluctuations before. Over the course of the last million years, eight so-called ice ages occurred, when a giant ice carpet reached the latitudes of Kyiv in Europe, and New York in America. The last ice age ended about 18 thousand years ago, and at that time the average temperature was 5° lower than now. Accordingly, the level of the world ocean was 120 m lower than it is today.

During the last ice age, the CO 2 content in the atmosphere dropped to 0.200, while for the last two warming periods it was 0.280. This is how it was at the beginning of the 19th century. Then it gradually began to increase and reached its current value of approximately 0.347. It follows that in the 200 years since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the natural control of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through a closed cycle between the atmosphere, ocean, vegetation and processes of organic and inorganic decay has been grossly disrupted.

It is still unclear whether these climate warming parameters are truly statically significant. For example, some researchers note that the data characterizing climate warming are significantly lower than the indicators calculated using computer forecasts based on data on the level of emissions in previous years. Scientists know that some types of pollutants may actually slow down warming by reflecting ultraviolet rays into space. So whether climate change is consistent or whether the changes are temporary, masking the long-term effects of increasing greenhouse gases and ozone depletion is debatable. Although there is little evidence at the statistical level that climate warming is a sustainable trend, assessments of the potential catastrophic consequences of a warming climate have prompted widespread calls for preventive measures.

Another important manifestation of global warming is the warming of the world's oceans. In 1989, A. Strong of the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration reported: “Satellite measurements of ocean surface temperatures between 1982 and 1988 indicate that the world's oceans are warming gradually but noticeably by about 0.1°C per year.” year". This is extremely important because, due to their colossal heat capacity, the oceans hardly respond to random climate changes. The detected trend towards warming proves the seriousness of the problem.

The occurrence of the greenhouse effect:

The obvious reason for the greenhouse effect is the use of traditional energy resources by industry and motorists. Less obvious reasons include deforestation, waste processing, and coal mining. Significantly increasing the greenhouse effect are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon dioxide CO 2 , methane CH 4 , sulfur and nitrogen oxides.

However, carbon dioxide still plays the greatest role in this process, since it has a relatively long life cycle in the atmosphere and its volumes are constantly increasing in all countries. Sources of CO 2 can be divided into two main categories: industrial production and others, accounting for 77% and 23% of the total volume of its emissions into the atmosphere, respectively. The entire group of developing countries (approximately 3/4 of the world population) accounts for less than 1/3 of the total industrial CO 2 emissions. If we exclude this group of countries, China, this figure will drop to approximately 1/5. Since in richer countries the level of income, and therefore consumption, is higher, the volume of harmful emissions into the atmosphere per capita is much higher. For example, per capita emissions in the United States are more than 2 times the European average, 19 times the African average and 25 times the corresponding figure for India. However, recently in developed countries (in particular, in the USA), there has been a tendency to gradually curtail production that is harmful to the environment and population and transfer it to less developed countries. Thus, the US government is concerned about maintaining a favorable environmental situation in its country, while maintaining its economic well-being.

Although the share of third world countries in industrial CO 2 emissions is relatively small, they account for almost the entire volume of its other emissions into the atmosphere. The main reason for this is the use of forest burning techniques to bring new lands into agricultural use. The indicator of the volume of emissions into the atmosphere for this article is calculated as follows: it is assumed that the entire volume of CO 2 contained in plants enters the atmosphere when burned. It is estimated that deforestation by fire accounts for 25% of all emissions into the atmosphere. Perhaps even more important is the fact that in the process of deforestation, the source of atmospheric oxygen is destroyed. Tropical rainforests provide an important mechanism for ecosystem self-healing as trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Destruction of tropical forests reduces the environment's ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Thus, it is precisely the characteristics of the land cultivation process in developing countries that determine such a significant contribution of the latter to the increase in the greenhouse effect.

In the natural biosphere, the content of carbon dioxide in the air was maintained at the same level, since its intake was equal to its removal. This process was driven by the carbon cycle, during which the amount of carbon dioxide extracted from the atmosphere by photosynthetic plants is compensated for by respiration and combustion. Currently, people are actively upsetting this balance by clearing forests and using fossil fuels. Burning every pound of it (coal, petroleum products and natural gas) produces approximately three pounds, or 2 m 3, of carbon dioxide (the weight triples because each carbon atom of the fuel attaches two oxygen atoms during the combustion process and becomes carbon dioxide). The chemical formula for carbon combustion is as follows:

C + O 2 → CO 2

Every year, about 2 billion tons of fossil fuels are burned, which means that almost 5.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. Another approximately 1.7 billion tons of it comes there due to the clearing and burning of tropical forests and the oxidation of soil organic matter (humus). In this regard, people are trying to reduce emissions of harmful gases into the atmosphere as much as possible and are trying to find new ways to fulfill their traditional needs. An interesting example of this is the development of new, environmentally friendly air conditioners. Air conditioners play a significant role in the occurrence of the “greenhouse effect”. Their use leads to an increase in vehicle emissions. To this must be added the slight but inevitable loss of coolant, which evaporates under high pressure, for example through seals at the hose connection. This coolant has the same climate impact as other greenhouse gases. Therefore, researchers began searching for an environmentally friendly refrigerant. Hydrocarbons with good cooling properties cannot be used due to their high flammability. Therefore, scientists chose carbon dioxide. CO 2 is a natural component of air. The CO 2 required for air conditioning appears as a by-product of many industrial processes. In addition, natural CO 2 does not require the creation of an entire infrastructure for maintenance and processing. CO 2 is inexpensive and can be found throughout the world.

Carbon dioxide has been used as a cooling agent in fishing since the last century. In the 30s, CO 2 was replaced by synthetic and environmentally harmful substances. They made it possible to use simpler technology under high pressure. Scientists are developing components for a completely new cooling system using CO 2 . This system includes a compressor, gas cooler, expander, evaporator, manifold and internal heat exchanger. The high pressure required for CO 2, taking into account more advanced materials than before, does not pose a great danger. Despite their increased pressure resistance, the new components are comparable in size and weight to conventional units. Tests of a new car air conditioner show that using carbon dioxide as a coolant can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a third.

A constant increase in the amount of burned organic fuel (coal, oil, gas, peat, etc.) leads to an increase in the concentration of CO 2 in the atmospheric air (at the beginning of the twentieth century - 0.029%, today - 0.034%). Forecasts show that by the middle XXI century, the CO 2 content will double, which will lead to a sharp increase in the greenhouse effect, and the temperature on the planet will rise. Two more dangerous problems will arise: the rapid melting of glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic, the “permafrost” of the tundra and the rise in the level of the World Ocean. Such changes will be accompanied by climate change, which is even difficult to foresee. Consequently, the problem is not simply the greenhouse effect, but its artificial growth generated by human activity, a change in the optimal content of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Human industrial activity leads to a noticeable increase in them and the appearance of a threatening imbalance. If humanity fails to take effective measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions and preserve forests, the temperature, according to the UN, will increase by another 3° in 30 years. One solution to the problem is environmentally friendly energy sources that would not add carbon dioxide and large amounts of heat to the atmosphere. For example, small solar power plants that consume solar heat instead of fuel are already being successfully used.

In the 21st century, the global greenhouse effect is one of the most pressing environmental problems facing our planet today. The essence of the greenhouse effect is that the sun's heat is trapped near the surface of our planet in the form of greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect is caused by the release of industrial gases into the atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect is an increase in the temperature of the lower layers of the Earth's atmosphere in comparison with the effective temperature, namely the temperature of the planet's thermal radiation recorded from space. The first mention of this phenomenon appeared in 1827. Then Joseph Fourier suggested that the optical characteristics of the Earth's atmosphere are similar to the characteristics of glass, the level of transparency of which in the infrared range is lower than in the optical. When visible light is absorbed, the surface temperature rises and emits thermal (infrared) radiation, and since the atmosphere is not so transparent for thermal radiation, heat collects near the surface of the planet.
The fact that the atmosphere is capable of not transmitting thermal radiation is caused by the presence of greenhouse gases in it. The main greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. Over the past decades, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased significantly. Scientists believe human activity is the main reason.
Due to the regular increase in average annual temperatures in the late 1980s, there was concern that global warming caused by human activity was already occurring.

The influence of the greenhouse effect

The positive consequences of the greenhouse effect include additional “heating” of the surface of our planet, as a result of which life appeared on this planet. If this phenomenon did not exist, then the average annual air temperature near the earth's surface would not exceed 18C.
The greenhouse effect arose due to the huge amount of water vapor and carbon dioxide entering the planet's atmosphere over hundreds of millions of years as a result of extremely high volcanic activity. The high concentration of carbon dioxide, which is thousands of times higher than today, was the cause of the “supergreenhouse” effect. This phenomenon brought the water temperature in the World Ocean closer to the boiling point. However, after some time, green vegetation appeared on the planet, which actively absorbed carbon dioxide from the earth’s atmosphere. For this reason, the greenhouse effect began to decline. Over time, a certain equilibrium was established, allowing the average annual temperature to remain at +15C.
However, human industrial activity has led to large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases once again entering the atmosphere. Scientists analyzed data from 1906 to 2005 and concluded that the average annual temperature increased by 0.74 degrees, and in the coming years will reach about 0.2 degrees per decade.
Greenhouse effect results:

• temperature increase
• changes in the frequency and volume of precipitation
• melting glaciers
• sea ​​level rise
• threat to biological diversity
• death of crops
• drying up of fresh water sources
• increased evaporation of water in the oceans
• decomposition of water and methane compounds located near the poles
• slowdown of currents, for example, the Gulf Stream, resulting in sharply colder temperatures in the Arctic
• decrease in tropical forest size
• expansion of the habitat of tropical microorganisms.

Consequences of the greenhouse effect

Why is the greenhouse effect so dangerous? The main danger of the greenhouse effect lies in the climate changes it causes. Scientists believe that the strengthening of the greenhouse effect will cause increased health risks for all humanity, especially for representatives of low-income segments of the population. A decrease in food production, which will be a consequence of the death of crops and the destruction of pastures by drought or, conversely, flooding, will inevitably lead to a shortage of food. In addition, elevated air temperatures cause exacerbation of heart and vascular diseases, as well as respiratory diseases.
Also, an increase in air temperature can cause an expansion of the habitat of animal species that are carriers of dangerous diseases. Because of this, for example, encephalitis ticks and malaria mosquitoes can move to places where people lack immunity to the diseases they carry.

What will help save the planet?

Scientists are confident that the fight against the strengthening of the greenhouse effect should involve the following measures:

• reducing the use of fossil energy sources such as coal, oil and gas
• more efficient use of energy resources
• dissemination of energy-saving technologies
• use of alternative energy sources, namely renewable
• use of refrigerants and blowing agents that contain low (zero) global warming potential
• reforestation work aimed at natural absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• abandoning cars with gasoline or diesel engines in favor of electric cars.

At the same time, even the full-scale implementation of the listed measures is unlikely to fully compensate for the harm caused to nature due to anthropogenic action. For this reason, we can only talk about minimizing the consequences.
The first international conference at which this threat was discussed took place in the mid-70s in Toronto. Then, experts came to the conclusion that the greenhouse effect on Earth is in second place in importance after the nuclear threat.
Not only a real man is obliged to plant a tree - every person should do it! The most important thing in solving this problem is not to turn a blind eye to it. Perhaps today people do not notice the harm from the greenhouse effect, but our children and grandchildren will definitely feel it. It is necessary to reduce the volume of burning coal and oil and protect the natural vegetation of the planet. All this is necessary for planet Earth to exist after us.