About global warming and related serious economic, social and environmental problems ... In recent years, a great many news and information have been published on this subject. But the latest news, perhaps, turned out to be the "coolest" of all. A group of scientists from the USA, France and Great Britain stated that we have already passed the point of no return and the catastrophic consequences of global warming on Earth cannot be stopped.
Global warming is the process of a gradual increase in the average annual temperature of the atmosphere of the Earth and the World Ocean (definition by Wikipedia). There are several reasons for global warming and they are associated with cyclical fluctuations in solar activity (solar cycles) and human economic activity. It is impossible to determine today with absolute certainty which of them is dominant. Most scientists are inclined to the point of view that the main reason for this is human activity (combustion of hydrocarbon fuels). Some scientists strongly disagree and believe that the total human influence is small, and the main reason is high solar activity. Moreover, they even argue that a new Little Ice Age will begin soon after the current warming.
Personally, in this situation, it is difficult for me to accept any one point of view, since none of them today has sufficiently complete scientific evidence. And yet, the problem is serious, you need to react to it somehow and you cannot stay on the sidelines... In my opinion, even if the supporters of the anthropogenic (human) factor, as the main cause of global warming, turn out to be wrong in the future, then the efforts and funds spent today to prevent this warming will not be in vain. They will more than pay off with new technologies and attentive attitude on the part of people to nature conservation.
What is the essence of global warming? The bottom line is the so-called "greenhouse" effect. In the Earth's atmosphere, there is a certain balance of heat input (sun rays) from the Sun and its return to space. The composition of the atmosphere has a great influence on this balance. More precisely, the amount of so-called greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide and methane, although water vapor also has a greenhouse value). These gases have the ability to trap the sun's rays (heat) in the atmosphere, preventing them from going back into space. Previously, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was 0.02%. However, as the industry grew and the production and combustion of coal, oil and natural gas increased, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere was constantly increasing. Because of this, more heat is absorbed, which gradually heats up the planet's atmosphere. Forest and steppe fires also contribute to this. This is what concerns human activity. I will leave the mechanism of cosmic influence for the next material.
What are the consequences of global warming? Like any phenomenon, global warming has both negative and positive consequences. It is believed that it will become warmer in the northern countries, so it will be easier in winter, agricultural yields will increase, southern crops (plants) will be cultivated to the north. However, scientists are confident that the negative consequences of global warming will be much greater and the losses from them will significantly exceed the benefits. That is, in general, humanity will suffer from global warming.
What kind of disasters can be expected from global warming?
- An increase in the number and strength of destructive typhoons and hurricanes;
- Increase in the number and duration of droughts, exacerbation of the problem of water scarcity;
- From the melting of the Arctic and Antarctic glaciers, the rise in the level of the World Ocean and the flooding of coastal areas where many people live;
- The death of taiga forests due to the melting of permafrost and the destruction of cities built on this permafrost;
- The spread to the north and highlands of a number of species - pests of agriculture and forestry and disease vectors.
- Changes in the Arctic and Antarctic can lead to a change in the circulation of ocean currents, and hence the entire hydro and atmosphere of the Earth.
This is in general terms. In any case, global warming is a problem that will affect all people, regardless of where they live and what they do. That is why it is today the most widely discussed in the world, not only among scientists, but also by the public.
There are many discussions and different points of view on this matter. Personally, I was most impressed by the film by Al Gore (the former US presidential candidate in the campaign in which he ran with George W. Bush) "An Inconvenient Truth." It lucidly and reasonably reveals the causes of global warming and shows its negative consequences for people. The main conclusion drawn in the film is that the momentary political interests of narrow ruling groups of people must give way to the long-term interests of the entire human civilization.
In any case, a lot needs to be done in order to, if not stop, then at least mitigate the negative consequences of global warming. And the publication below - once again think about it.
(Continuation )
Georgy Kazulko
Belovezhskaya Pushcha
(Write your feedback, thoughts, ideas, questions, remarks or disagreements in the comments below (anonymous users sometimes need to send a comment in a separate window) enter code english text from the picture) or send it to my email address: [email protected])
Catastrophic climate change cannot be stopped
The best scientists in the world believe that in the near future, humanity will face the expansion of deserts, declining harvests, increasing strength of hurricanes, and the disappearance of mountain glaciers, which provide water for hundreds of millions of people.
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere has already reached the point after which catastrophic climate changes will begin, even if the amount of carbon dioxide is reduced in the coming decades.
This is stated by a group of renowned scientists from the United States, France and the United Kingdom in an article published in the Open Atmospheric Science Journal.
This study contradicts previous estimates, according to which a dangerous concentration of carbon dioxide will be reached in this century, only later, RIA Novosti reports.
“There is a bright side to this conclusion - if we take steps to reduce carbon dioxide concentrations, we can reduce the problems that already seem inevitable,” said lead author James Hansen, director of the Goddard Institute for Space Exploration at Columbia University.
According to the scientist, humanity will be faced with expanding deserts, declining crops, increasing hurricanes, shrinking coral reefs and the disappearance of mountain glaciers, which provide water for hundreds of millions of people.
To prevent a sharp warming in the coming years, the researchers write, the concentration of carbon dioxide must be reduced to the level that existed before the industrial era - up to 350 parts per million (0.035%). The current concentration of carbon dioxide is 385 ppm and is increasing by 2 ppm (0.0002%) per year, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
The authors of the article note that recent data on the history of climate change on Earth support their conclusions. In particular, observations of the melting of glaciers, which previously reflected solar radiation, and the release of carbon dioxide from melting permafrost and the ocean show that these processes, which were previously thought to be rather slow, can occur over decades, rather than thousands. years.
Scientists note that reducing emissions from coal combustion could significantly improve the situation.
At the same time, they are skeptical about geoengineering methods of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, in particular, to proposals to bury carbon dioxide in tectonic fractures or pump it into rocks on the ocean floor. In their opinion, the withdrawal of 50 millionths of gas using this technology will cost at least $ 20 trillion, which is twice the US national debt.
“Humanity today is faced with the inconvenient fact that industrial civilization is becoming the main factor influencing the climate. The biggest danger in this situation is ignorance and denial, which can make tragic consequences inevitable, "the researchers write.
An article on global warming. What is happening now in the world on a global scale, what consequences may be due to global warming. At times it's worth looking at what WE have brought the world to.
What is Global Warming?
Global warming is a slow and gradual increase in the average temperature on our planet, which is just being observed. Global warming is a fact that is pointless to argue with, and that is why it is necessary to soberly and objectively approach its understanding.
Causes of global warming
According to scientific evidence, global warming can be caused by many factors:
Volcanic eruptions;
The behavior of the oceans (typhoons, hurricanes, etc.);
Solar Activity;
Earth's magnetic field;
Human activities. The so-called anthropogenic factor. The idea is supported by the majority of scientists, public organizations and the media, which does not at all mean its unshakable truth.
Most likely, it turns out that each of these components contributes to global warming.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect has been observed by any of us. In greenhouses, the temperature is always higher than outside; in a closed car on a sunny day, the same thing is observed. On a global scale, everything is the same. Part of the solar heat received by the Earth's surface cannot escape back into space, since the atmosphere acts like polyethylene in a greenhouse. If there were no greenhouse effect, the average temperature of the Earth's surface should be about -18 ° С, but in reality it should be about + 14 ° С. How much heat remains on the planet directly depends on the composition of the air, which just changes under the influence of the above factors (What caused global warming?); namely, the content of greenhouse gases changes, which include water vapor (responsible for more than 60% of the effect), carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide), methane (causing the most warming) and a number of others.
Coal-fired power plants, car exhaust, factory chimneys and other human-made sources of pollution collectively emit about 22 billion tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year. Livestock raising, the use of fertilizers, coal combustion and other sources provide about 250 million tons of methane per year. About half of all greenhouse gases emitted by humankind remain in the atmosphere. About three quarters of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions over the past 20 years are caused by the use of oil, natural gas and coal. Much of the rest is due to landscape changes, primarily deforestation.
What facts prove global warming?
Temperature rise
Temperatures have been documented for about 150 years. It is generally accepted that it has risen by about 0.6 ° C over the past century, although there is still no clear method for determining this parameter, and there is also no confidence in the adequacy of data from a century ago. Rumor has it that the warming has been sharp since 1976, the beginning of rapid industrial human activity and reached its maximum acceleration in the second half of the 90s. But even here there are discrepancies between ground-based and satellite observations.
Sea level rise
As a result of warming and melting of glaciers in the Arctic, Antarctica and Greenland, the water level on the planet has risen by 10-20 cm, possibly more.
Melting glaciers
Well, what can I say, global warming is indeed the cause of the melting of glaciers, and photos will confirm this better than words.
The Uppsala Glacier in Patagonia (Argentina) was one of the largest glaciers in South America, but is now disappearing 200 meters per year.
Rowne Glacier, Valais, Switzerland rose 450 meters.
Portage Glacier in Alaska.
1875 photo courtesy H. Slupetzky / University of Salzburg Pasterze.
The relationship between global warming and world cataclysms
Methods for predicting global warming
Global warming and its development are predicted mainly with the help of computer models, based on collected data on temperature, carbon dioxide concentration and much more. Of course, the accuracy of such predictions leaves much to be desired and, as a rule, does not exceed 50%, and the further scientists swing, the less the probability of the prediction coming true.
Superdeep drilling of glaciers is also used to obtain data, sometimes samples are taken from a depth of up to 3000 meters. This ancient ice stores information about temperature, solar activity, and the intensity of the Earth's magnetic field at that time. The information is used for comparison with the indicators of the present time.
What measures are being taken to stop global warming?
The broad consensus among climate scientists that global temperatures will continue to rise has led a number of states, corporations and individuals to try to prevent or adapt to global warming. Many environmental organizations advocate action against climate change, mainly by consumers, but also at the municipal, regional and government levels. Some also advocate limiting the world's production of fossil fuels, citing a direct link between fuel combustion and CO2 emissions.
Today, the main world agreement on counteracting global warming is the Kyoto Protocol (agreed in 1997, entered into force in 2005), an addition to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The protocol includes more than 160 countries of the world and covers about 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The European Union should cut CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions by 8%, the US by 7% and Japan by 6%. Thus, it is assumed that the main goal - to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% over the next 15 years - will be met. But this will not stop global warming, but only slightly slow down its growth. And this is the best case. So, we can conclude that serious measures to prevent global warming are not considered or taken.
Global warming figures and facts
One of the most visible processes associated with global warming is the melting of glaciers.
Over the past half century, temperatures in the southwest of Antarctica, on the Antarctic Peninsula, have increased by 2.5 ° C. In 2002, an iceberg of more than 2500 km in area broke away from the Larsen Ice Shelf with an area of 3,250 km and a thickness of more than 200 meters, located on the Antarctic Peninsula, which actually means the destruction of the glacier. The entire process of destruction took only 35 days. Prior to this, the glacier remained stable for 10 thousand years, since the end of the last ice age. Over the millennia, the thickness of the glacier gradually decreased, but in the second half of the 20th century, the rate of its melting increased significantly. The melting of the glacier led to the release of a large number of icebergs (over a thousand) into the Weddell Sea.
Other glaciers are also crumbling. Thus, in the summer of 2007, an iceberg 200 km long and 30 km wide broke away from the Ross Ice Shelf; somewhat earlier, in the spring of 2007, an ice field 270 km long and 40 km wide broke away from the Antarctic continent. The accumulation of icebergs prevents the release of cold waters from the Ross Sea, which leads to a violation of the ecological balance (one of the consequences, for example, is the death of penguins, who have lost the opportunity to get to their usual food sources due to the fact that ice in the Ross Sea lasted longer than usual).
An acceleration of the process of degradation of permafrost is noted.
Since the early 1970s, the temperature of permafrost soils in Western Siberia has increased by 1.0 ° C, in central Yakutia - by 1-1.5 ° C. In northern Alaska, the temperature of the upper layer of frozen rocks has increased by 3 ° C since the mid-1980s.
What impact will global warming have on the world around us?
Will strongly affect the lives of some animals. For example, polar bears, seals and penguins will be forced to change their habitats, as the current ones will simply melt. Many species of animals and plants can simply disappear without having time to adapt to a rapidly changing habitat. Will change the weather on a global scale. An increase in the number of climatic disasters is expected; longer periods of extremely hot weather; there will be more rainfall, but the likelihood of drought in many regions will increase; increased flooding due to hurricanes and rising sea levels. But it all depends on the specific region.
The report of the working group of the intergovernmental commission on climate change (Shanghai, 2001) presents seven models of climate change in the 21st century. The main conclusions made in the report are the continuation of global warming, accompanied by an increase in greenhouse gas emissions (although according to some scenarios, by the end of the century, as a result of bans on industrial emissions, a decline in greenhouse gas emissions is possible); an increase in surface air temperature (by the end of the 21st century, an increase in surface temperature by 6 ° C is possible); sea level rise (on average - by 0.5 m per century).
The most likely changes in weather factors include more intense precipitation; higher maximum temperatures, an increase in the number of hot days and a decrease in the number of frosty days in almost all regions of the Earth; however, heatwaves will become more frequent in most continental regions; decrease in temperature spread.
As a consequence of these changes, one can expect an increase in winds and an increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones (the general tendency to an increase in which was noted back in the 20th century), an increase in the frequency of heavy precipitation, and a noticeable expansion of drought areas.
The Intergovernmental Commission has identified a number of areas most vulnerable to expected climate change. This is the Sahara region, the Arctic, the mega-deltas of Asia, small islands.
Negative changes in Europe include an increase in temperatures and an increase in droughts in the south (as a result, a decrease in water resources and a decrease in hydropower generation, a decrease in agricultural production, a worsening of tourism conditions), a decrease in snow cover and retreat of mountain glaciers, an increase in the risk of severe floods and catastrophic floods. on rivers; increased summer precipitation in Central and Eastern Europe, increased frequency of forest fires, peatland fires, reduced forest productivity; increasing soil instability in Northern Europe. In the Arctic - a catastrophic decrease in the area of ice sheet, a decrease in the area of sea ice, increased coastal erosion.
Some researchers (for example, P. Schwartz and D. Randall) offer a pessimistic forecast, according to which, already in the first quarter of the 21st century, a sharp jump in the climate in an unforeseen direction is possible, and the result may be the onset of a new ice age lasting hundreds of years.
How will global warming affect humans?
They are afraid of the lack of drinking water, an increase in the number of infectious diseases, problems in agriculture due to droughts. But in the long term, nothing but human evolution is expected. Our ancestors faced a more serious problem when, after the end of the ice age, the temperature rose sharply by 10 ° C, but this is what led to the creation of our civilization. Otherwise, they would probably still hunt mammoths with spears.
Of course, this is not a reason to pollute the atmosphere with anything at all, because in the short term we will have bad things. Global warming is a question in which you need to follow the call of common sense, logic, not fall for cheap bikes and not follow the lead of the majority, because history knows many examples when the majority were very deeply mistaken and did a lot of misfortunes, up to the burning of great minds. who were ultimately right.
Global warming is the modern theory of relativity, the law of universal gravitation, the fact of the Earth's rotation around the Sun, the sphericity of our planet during their presentation to the public, when opinions were also divided. Someone is definitely right. But who?
P.S.
Additionally on the topic "Global warming".
Greenhouse gas emissions by the most oil-burning countries, 2000.
Forecast of the increase in drylands caused by global warming. Simulation was carried out on a supercomputer at the Institute for Space Research named after Goddard (NASA, GISS, USA).
Consequences of global warming.
Over the years, the debate over whether global warming is myth or reality has distracted us from the gross facts. While many are still ambivalent about this problem, it can no longer be denied that global warming is a real problem, caused by imprudent actions and the harmful influence of people. Here are some facts that will help everyone to understand the seriousness and danger of the current situation for the future of our planet.
More than 90% of scientists recognize the real threat of global warming
Despite the huge evidence base, people still continue to doubt the threat of global warming. However, the overwhelming majority of scientists recognize not only its reality, but also its inevitability.
Since the mid-20th century, humans have been the main cause of climate change
What scientists today call anthropogenic warming is the result of the detrimental human influence on the environment and, in particular, the atmosphere of our planet.
Numerous local weather changes are the result of general global warming
The result of global warming directly depends on the specific climate. In some places it rains more, in others, on the contrary, there are frequent droughts. But these are all different consequences of one problem.
Greenhouse effect traps solar energy in the atmosphere
Energy from the sun heats the earth, which is good, but our atmosphere and the surface of the world's oceans are reflective to avoid overheating. Greenhouse gases reduce the reflectivity of the atmosphere and trap solar energy, preventing it from escaping into space.
USA, China and India produce the most greenhouse gases
As developed or intensively developing countries with rich industries, these countries are responsible for most of the greenhouse gases that negatively affect the atmosphere.
Global warming is raising the temperature of the world's oceans
The rise in temperature of the Earth is most noticeable in the waters of the world's oceans and is fraught with great danger for them.
Over 30 years, the earth temperature has risen by 0.5 ° C
It may seem like a minor change, but our planet is a fragile, interconnected ecosystem, where even the smallest changes can greatly affect its harmony.
Global warming is a reality that cannot be escaped
The main danger of climate change is that rising ocean temperatures are causing Arctic and Antarctic glaciers to melt; this raises the sea level. For those wishing to challenge the reality of global warming: over the past 100 years, ocean levels have risen by 15 cm.
People living in coastal areas are at risk
A significant part of the world's population lives in areas below sea level. in addition, the melting of ice reduces the supply of fresh water.
40% of greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere during electricity generation
Consuming more and more electricity dramatically increases greenhouse gas emissions.
It is impossible to accurately measure global warming
Weather changes are the result of a complex interaction of air, water and surface temperatures. Seasonal changes also affect them. In addition to the difficulty of measuring weather changes, another challenge is determining the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.
The impact of global warming will continue
Unfortunately, many people do not realize that man-made climate change is like a snowball, the longer it is in motion, the larger and faster it is. Even if the harmful effects of humans on the environment stop now, the effects of the harm will be felt for a long time to come.
Earth's temperature will remain high for hundreds of years
As proof of the snowball effect: Even if we reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by 80%, the results will not appear until centuries later.
In the United States, the temperature has risen by 1 ° C
Over the past 50 years, the average temperature in North America has risen twice as much as the temperature of the Earth during the same period.
Higher temperatures lead to higher humidity
The higher the temperature, the more evaporation, and, accordingly, rain. But the frightening thing is that precipitation will not fall evenly. While some regions are subject to flooding, others will suffer from drought.
The weather will get extreme
We face abnormally high temperatures in summer and low in winter, as well as more frequent and destructive natural disasters.
Wildlife in the Arctic to be hit first
Suffering already. Melting ice wipes out the species of living creatures and their distribution areas from the face of the Earth. Get ready to say goodbye to polar bears.
Full melting of ice is expected by 2030-2050
Despite the difficulty of predicting weather and temperature changes, some scientists predict complete melting of sea ice in the Arctic region in 2030-2050.
The global warming controversy began in 1957
For over 50 years, we have seen a debate about the significance of temperature changes and the human impact on the atmosphere evolve.
Basic facts and theories about global warming were formulated 50 years ago
Planet Earth is unable to absorb and process the amount of carbon dioxide that we generate, the direct consequence of which is an increase in the level of CO2 in the atmosphere. And we have known this since the middle of the last century.
Global warming is increasing
The more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the more the environment and ecology of the planet changes. The melting of eternal ice is an additional source of CO2 emissions, and the continued deforestation of rainforests reduces the planet's ability to recycle harmful gases.
Ten warmest years ever since 2000
The same snowball effect - every decade since the 1970s has been warmer than the last.
Lots of facts about climate change remain unknown
The ecosystem of the earth is so complex and interconnected that it is impossible to study it completely with the help of modern limited technologies, therefore, the understanding of global warming is only partially available to us.
We started global warming, and we must stop it
Today's picture of the future is disappointing, but we can do everything in our power to reduce the impact of global warming on the planet. Then, perhaps, future generations will be lucky enough to see the Earth as beautiful as we see it.
There are many groups and organizations that oppose global warming
And they all need help and support. If you are not indifferent to the future of the planet, then you will find a lot of opportunities to change it for the better.
They started talking about such a problem as global warming back in the middle of the last century. Until now, this issue is the subject of numerous discussions, the topic of international symposia and plots of documentaries. Even a person far from environmental disciplines knows what global warming is. It is expressed in an increase in the average temperature of the climate over the past 100 years.
But is global warming as dangerous as scientists and the media portray it? When will it start? What changes will occur to the planet due to climate warming? What's the worst case for humanity? Is the world community capable of solving the problem of global warming?
What indicates a warming climate?
The temperature has been documented for 150 years. Over the past century, it has increased by an average of 0.5 ° C. A sharp warming of the climate took place in the 1970s, when industrial activity intensified. Not only the temperature of the air has increased, but also the temperature of the water.
Global warming has led to an intense decrease in snow cover, melting and retreat of glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and high mountain peaks. The consequence of this was a rise in the sea level by about 10 cm. These and other phenomena prove that global warming is a real environmental problem.
What caused the warming?
Global warming is directly related to the greenhouse effect. It consists in an increase in the temperature of the lower layers of the atmosphere of the relative thermal radiation of the Earth. This phenomenon arises from water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and other gases that absorb and trap solar energy, heating the earth's surface. The facts are that the main natural sources of greenhouse gases are:
- Forest fires (during them a huge amount of carbon dioxide is released, moreover, a large number of trees are destroyed, which convert it into oxygen during the process of photosynthesis).
- Permafrost (methane is released from the soil in the permafrost region).
- World Ocean (reservoirs are the main source of steam).
- Volcanoes (when it erupts, it releases a colossal amount of carbon dioxide).
- Fauna (organisms that breathe out carbon dioxide significantly increase its concentration in the atmosphere).
However, the greenhouse effect itself does not pose a threat - without it, the average temperature of the Earth would be -18 ° C. The rationale is that human activity over the past few decades has led to a significant increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases, and, consequently, to an increase in climate temperature.
There are a number of other hypotheses explaining the occurrence of global warming on Earth. Satellite data suggest that the increase in climate temperature is caused by an increase in solar activity, which is not typical for past years. However, scientists do not have a complete understanding of the change in the activity of the luminary for the publication of specific conclusions. Basic facts indicate that the causes of global warming lie precisely in anthropogenic activity.
Factors that significantly increase the concentration of greenhouse gases:
- Heavy industry (the main source of carbon dioxide emissions is the extraction and combustion of oil, gas and other minerals).
- Agriculture (when the soil is intensively fertilized and treated with insecticides, nitrogen dioxide is released from it, which is a greenhouse gas).
- Deforestation (destruction of the "lungs of the planet" leads to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide).
- Overpopulation (to meet the needs of the world's population requires a huge amount of natural resources).
- Landfills (most of the waste is not recycled, but incinerated or buried, which leads to a radical change in the biological system).
Despite the fact that humans contributed significantly to the warming of the climate, some scientists still prefer to divide the causes of global warming into natural and anthropogenic ones.
What does the future hold for the planet?
Global warming will lead not only to a further increase in the temperature of the earth's surface, but also to other changes. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions will increase. The level of the World Ocean will rise by half a meter in 100 years, in addition, the salinity of the water will change. The air will become more humid. Precipitation will begin to fall more intensively, their distribution will change, and the temperature maximum threshold will also increase. The melting of glaciers will accelerate.
Global warming will affect the course of weather events: winds and cyclones will intensify and become more frequent. Natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, will occur more regularly, and their scale will increase significantly.
Ecologists identify several regions of the earth, which will be especially strongly affected by the consequences of global warming:
- Sahara Desert;
- Antarctic;
- Deltas of major rivers in Asia;
- Small islands.
Less rain will fall in the tropics and subtropics. As a result of global warming, arid regions of the Earth and deserts will increase in area, and permafrost will move further north.
Due to climate warming, the habitats of biological species will shift, which in turn will threaten the safety of living things, and there will be a serious danger of the extinction of organisms.
One of the controversial consequences of global warming is global cooling. The change in the density of ocean waters caused by climate warming will lead to the fact that the pattern of sea currents will be similar to that of the ice age.
An increase in the number of industrial enterprises, landfills and waste disposal, the development of oil and gas fields will lead to an irreversible change in the composition of the Earth's air envelope.
According to the optimistic scenario, according to which greenhouse gas emissions will remain at the same level, a critical situation will come on the planet in 300 years. Otherwise, irreversible consequences will be observed within 100 years.
Global warming will lead to changes not only in the biosphere, but also in economic activity and in society. The expansion of drought regions will entail a reduction in acreage, agriculture will decline. Developed countries will face the problem of hunger and lack of drinking water.
Can humans solve the problem of warming?
No matter how pessimistic the scenarios for the development of global warming may be, humanity is still able to take measures so that the Earth does not become similar to Venus. The most promising today are considered to be two main areas of combating global warming:
- increased emission reductions;
- the use of environmental technologies.
However, it is not completely clear which method will most likely avoid the catastrophic consequences of climate warming. Moreover, the effectiveness of both measures has been repeatedly questioned.
It will become more difficult to radically reduce the amount of emissions as the economic activity of developing countries intensifies. To ensure the rapid pace of GDP growth, colossal energy resources are needed, the sources of which are oil, gas and coal. The burning of natural resources is the main reason for the emission of large quantities of carbon dioxide. Due to the scale and financial costs, it is not possible to re-equip old industrial enterprises to modern environmental standards. International agreements, notably the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to control greenhouse gases, are failing.
The second direction in the fight against global warming is associated with the use of bioengineering technologies. Currently, installations are being created to pump carbon dioxide into special mines. Scientists are working on extraordinary solutions, such as using aerosols to alter the reflectivity of the upper atmosphere upward. Whether this will be effective is still unknown.
Combining the two methods in the long term will allow you to achieve better results. Improving neutralizers and fuel combustion systems in cars will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also reduce environmental pollution by heavy metals. The use of alternative energy sources will help to significantly reduce emissions, but at the moment these technologies require large financial investments. An important fact remains that the production of solar panels and windmills is also accompanied by colossal emissions.
Less ambitious, but no less significant measures to eliminate global warming include:
- an increase in green spaces;
- the use of energy-saving devices and appliances;
- waste recycling;
- drawing public attention to the problem.
If international control and large-scale environmental projects seem far from everyday life, then the above methods apply to all the inhabitants of the planet. Riding a bike and eating a vegetarian diet won't hurt you (more likely it will!), And the involvement and passion of those who call the earth their home will help prevent the effects of global warming. Just as once people "through joint efforts" upset the natural balance, so now, with the interest of everyone, it will be possible to avoid catastrophic changes.
Global warming, caused by natural and anthropogenic causes, is a truly large-scale problem of our time. A person should not remain indifferent to it and miss out on ways to prevent changes in climatic conditions!
This is an increase in the average temperature on Earth, which has been recorded since the end of the 19th century. Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has risen by an average of 0.8 degrees over land and ocean.
Scientists believe that by the end of the 21st century, the temperature may rise by an average of 2 degrees (negative forecast - by 4 degrees).
But the increase is quite small, does it really affect something?
All the climate changes we are experiencing are the consequences of global warming. This is what has happened on Earth over the past century.
- On all continents, there are more hot days and fewer cold days.
- Global sea level has risen by 14 centimeters. The area of glaciers is shrinking, they are melting, the water is desalinated, the movement of ocean currents is changing.
- As the temperature rose, the atmosphere began to retain more moisture. This led to more frequent and more powerful storms, especially in North America and Europe.
- In some regions of the world (the Mediterranean, West Africa) there are more droughts, in others (the midwest of the USA, northwest of Australia), on the contrary, they have decreased.
What Caused Global Warming?
Additional entry into the atmosphere of greenhouse gases: methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor, ozone. They absorb long wavelengths of infrared radiation without releasing them into space. Because of this, a greenhouse effect is formed on the Earth.
Global warming has provoked the rapid development of industry. The more emissions from enterprises, the more actively deforestation is going on (and they absorb carbon dioxide), the more greenhouse gases accumulate. And the more the Earth warms up.
What can all this lead to?
Scientists predict that further global warming may intensify processes destructive for people, provoke droughts, floods, and the lightning spread of dangerous diseases.
- Due to the rise in sea level, many settlements located in the coastal zone will be flooded.
- The consequences of storms will become more global.
- The rainy seasons will become longer, leading to more flooding.
- The duration of dry periods will also increase, which threatens severe droughts.
- Tropical cyclones will become stronger: wind speed will be higher, precipitation will be more abundant.
- The combination of elevated temperatures and droughts will make it difficult to grow some crops.
- Many species of animals will migrate to maintain their habitual habitat. Some of them may disappear altogether. For example, ocean acidification, which absorbs carbon dioxide (produced by burning fossil fuels), kills oysters and coral reefs, and worsens the living conditions for predators.
Are Hurricanes Harvey and Irma also triggered by global warming?
According to one of the versions, warming in the Arctic is to blame for the formation of destructive hurricanes. It created an atmospheric "blockade" - it slowed down the circulation of jet streams in the atmosphere. Because of this, powerful "sedentary" storms were formed, which absorbed a huge amount of moisture. But there is still no sufficient evidence for this theory.
Many climatologists rely on the Clapeyron-Clausius equation, according to which the atmosphere with a higher temperature contains more moisture, and therefore conditions for the formation of more powerful storms arise. The ocean where Harvey formed is about 1 degree above average.
Hurricane Irma was formed in approximately the same way. The process began in warm waters off the coast of West Africa. For 30 hours, the element increased to the third category (and then to the highest, fifth). This rate of formation was recorded by meteorologists for the first time in two decades.
Is it really what was described in the film "The Day After Tomorrow" awaiting us?
Scientists believe hurricanes like this could become the norm. True, climatologists have not yet predicted an instant global cooling, as in the film.
The first place in the five main global risks for 2017, voiced at the World Economic Forum, has already been taken by extreme weather events. 90% of the largest economic losses in the world today are due to floods, hurricanes, floods, heavy rains, hail, droughts.
Okay, but why was this summer in Russia so cold with global warming?
It does not interfere. Scientists have developed a model that explains this.
Global warming has led to an increase in temperatures in the Arctic Ocean. The ice began to actively melt, the circulation of air flows changed, and with them the seasonal patterns of atmospheric pressure distribution also changed.
Previously, the weather in Europe was driven by the Arctic Oscillation, with the seasonal Azores High (high pressure area) and Icelandic Lows. Between these two areas, a westerly wind was forming, which brought warm air from the Atlantic.
But due to the rise in temperature, the pressure difference between the Azores maximum and the Icelandic minimum has narrowed. More and more air masses began to move not from west to east, but along the meridians. Arctic air can penetrate deep to the south and bring cold.
Should the residents of Russia pack a troubling suitcase in case of the likeness of "Harvey"?
If you wish,. He who is forewarned is armed. This summer, hurricanes were recorded in many cities of Russia, the likes of which have not been seen in the last 100 years.
According to Roshydromet, in 1990–2000, 150–200 dangerous hydrometeorological phenomena were recorded in our country, which caused damage. Today their number exceeds 400, and the consequences are becoming more devastating.
Global warming is manifested not only in climate change. For several years, scientists from the A.A. Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics have been warning of the danger to cities and towns in northern Russia.
Huge funnels have formed here, from which explosive methane can be released.
Previously, these craters were heaving mounds: an underground "storage" of ice. But due to global warming, they melted. The voids were filled with gas hydrates, the release of which is like an explosion.
A further increase in temperature can aggravate the process. It poses a particular danger to Yamal and the cities located close to it: Nadym, Salekhard, Novy Urengoy.
Can global warming be stopped?
Yes, if you completely rebuild the energy system. Today, about 87% of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas).
To reduce the amount of emissions, you need to use low-carbon energy sources: wind, sun, geothermal processes (occurring in the bowels of the earth).
Another way is to develop carbon capture, where carbon dioxide is extracted from emissions from power plants, refineries and other industries and injected underground.
What prevents you from doing this?
There are a number of reasons for this: political (defending the interests of certain companies), technological (alternative energy is considered too expensive), and others.
The most active "producers" of greenhouse gases are China, USA, EU countries, India, Russia.
If emissions can still be significantly reduced, there is a chance to stop global warming at around 1 degree.
But if there are no changes, the average temperature may rise by 4 degrees or more. And in this case, the consequences will be irreversible and destructive for humanity.
Loading...
