The greenhouse effect in the atmosphere of our planet is caused by the fact that the flow of energy in the infrared range of the spectrum rising from the Earth's surface is absorbed by molecules of atmospheric gases and radiated back into different sides, as a result, half of the energy absorbed by greenhouse gas molecules returns back to the Earth's surface, causing it to warm up. It should be noted that greenhouse effect- it's natural atmospheric phenomenon(Fig. 5). If there were no greenhouse effect on Earth at all, then the average temperature on our planet would be about -21°C, but thanks to greenhouse gases, it is +14°C. Therefore, purely theoretically, human activity associated with the release of greenhouse gases into the Earth’s atmosphere should lead to further heating of the planet. Main greenhouse gases, in order of their estimated impact on the Earth's heat balance, are water vapor (36-70%), carbon dioxide (9-26%), methane (4-9%), halocarbons, nitric oxide.

Rice.

Coal-fired power plants, factory chimneys, car exhaust and other human-made sources of pollution together emit about 22 billion tons into the atmosphere. carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases per year. Livestock farming, fertilizer use, coal combustion and other sources produce about 250 million tons of methane per year. About half of all greenhouse gases emitted by humanity 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 (Figure 6). Much of the rest is caused by changes in the landscape, primarily deforestation.

Rice.

water vapor- the most important greenhouse gas today. However, water vapor is also involved in many other processes, which makes its role ambiguous in different conditions.

First of all, during evaporation from the Earth's surface and further condensation in the atmosphere, up to 40% of all heat entering the atmosphere is transferred to the lower layers of the atmosphere (troposphere) due to convection. Thus, when water vapor evaporates, it slightly lowers the surface temperature. But the heat released as a result of condensation in the atmosphere goes to warm it up, and subsequently, to warm up the surface of the Earth itself.

But after condensation of water vapor, water droplets or ice crystals are formed, which intensively participate in scattering processes sunlight, reflecting part solar energy back to space. Clouds, which are just accumulations of these droplets and crystals, increase the share of solar energy (albedo) reflected by the atmosphere itself back into space (and then precipitation from the clouds can fall in the form of snow, increasing the albedo of the surface).

However, water vapor, even condensed into droplets and crystals, still has powerful absorption bands in the infrared region of the spectrum, which means the role of the same clouds is far from clear. This duality is especially noticeable in the following extreme cases - when the sky is covered with clouds in sunny summer weather, the surface temperature decreases, and if the same thing happens on a winter night, then, on the contrary, it increases. The final result is also influenced by the position of the clouds - at low altitudes, thick clouds reflect a lot of solar energy, and the balance can be in in this case in favor of the anti-greenhouse effect, but at high altitudes, thin cirrus clouds transmit quite a lot of solar energy down, but even thin clouds are an almost insurmountable obstacle to infrared radiation and, and here we can talk about the predominance of the greenhouse effect.

Another feature of water vapor - a humid atmosphere to some extent contributes to the binding of another greenhouse gas - carbon dioxide, and its transfer by rainfall to the Earth's surface, where, as a result of further processes, it can be consumed in the formation of carbonates and combustible minerals.

Human activity has a very weak direct effect on the content of water vapor in the atmosphere - only due to the increase in the area of ​​irrigated land, changes in the area of ​​swamps and the work of energy, which is negligible against the background of evaporation from the entire water surface of the Earth and volcanic activity. Because of this, quite often little attention is paid to it when considering the problem of the greenhouse effect.

However, the indirect effect on water vapor content can be very large, due to feedback between atmospheric water vapor and warming caused by other greenhouse gases, which is what we'll look at now.

It is known that as the temperature increases, the evaporation of water vapor also increases, and for every 10 °C the possible content of water vapor in the air almost doubles. For example, at 0 °C the saturated vapor pressure is about 6 MB, at +10 °C - 12 MB, and at +20 °C - 23 MB.

It can be seen that the content of water vapor strongly depends on temperature, and when it decreases for some reason, firstly, the greenhouse effect of water vapor itself decreases (due to the decreased content), and secondly, condensation of water vapor occurs, which, of course, strongly inhibits the decrease in temperature due to the release of condensation heat, but after condensation, the reflection of solar energy increases, both in the atmosphere itself (scattering on droplets and ice crystals) and on the surface (snowfall), which further lowers the temperature.

As the temperature rises, the content of water vapor in the atmosphere increases, its greenhouse effect increases, which intensifies the initial increase in temperature. In principle, cloudiness is also increasing (more water vapor enters relatively cold areas), but extremely weakly - according to I. Mokhov, about 0.4% per degree of warming, which cannot greatly affect the increase in the reflection of solar energy.

Carbon dioxide- the second largest contributor to the greenhouse effect today, does not freeze out when the temperature drops, and continues to create a greenhouse effect even at the most low temperatures, possible under terrestrial conditions. Probably, it was precisely thanks to the gradual accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a result of volcanic activity that the Earth was able to emerge from the state of powerful glaciations (when even the equator was covered with a thick layer of ice), into which it fell at the beginning and end of the Proterozoic.

Carbon dioxide is involved in a powerful carbon cycle in the lithosphere-hydrosphere-atmosphere system, and changes in the earth's climate are associated primarily with changes in the balance of its entry into and removal from the atmosphere.

Due to the relatively high solubility of carbon dioxide in water, the content of carbon dioxide in the hydrosphere (primarily the oceans) is now 4x104 Gt (gigatons) of carbon (from here on, data on CO2 in terms of carbon are given), including deep layers (Putvinsky, 1998). The atmosphere currently contains about 7.5x102 Gt of carbon (Alekseev et al., 1999). The CO2 content in the atmosphere was not always low - for example, in the Archean (about 3.5 billion years ago) the atmosphere consisted of almost 85-90% carbon dioxide, with significantly higher pressure and temperature (Sorokhtin, Ushakov, 1997). However, the supply of significant masses of water to the Earth’s surface as a result of degassing of the interior, as well as the emergence of life, ensured the binding of almost all atmospheric and a significant part of carbon dioxide dissolved in water in the form of carbonates (about 5.5x107 Gt of carbon is stored in the lithosphere (IPCC report, 2000)) . Also, carbon dioxide began to be converted by living organisms into various shapes combustible minerals. In addition, the binding of part of the carbon dioxide also occurred due to the accumulation of biomass, the total carbon reserves in which are comparable to those in the atmosphere, and taking into account the soil, they are several times higher.

However, we are primarily interested in the flows that supply carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and remove it from it. The lithosphere now provides a very small flow of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere primarily due to volcanic activity - about 0.1 Gt of carbon per year (Putvinsky, 1998). Significantly large flows are observed in the ocean (together with the organisms living there) - atmosphere, and terrestrial biota - atmosphere systems. About 92 Gt of carbon enters the ocean annually from the atmosphere and 90 Gt returns back to the atmosphere (Putvinsky, 1998). Thus, the ocean annually removes about 2 Gt of carbon from the atmosphere. At the same time, during the processes of respiration and decomposition of terrestrial dead living beings, about 100 Gt of carbon per year enters the atmosphere. In the processes of photosynthesis, terrestrial vegetation also removes about 100 Gt of carbon from the atmosphere (Putvinsky, 1998). As we can see, the mechanism of carbon intake and removal from the atmosphere is quite balanced, providing approximately equal flows. Modern human activity includes in this mechanism an ever-increasing additional flow of carbon into the atmosphere due to the combustion of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal, etc.) - according to data, for example, for the period 1989-99, an average of about 6.3 Gt per year. Also, the flow of carbon into the atmosphere increases due to deforestation and partial burning of forests - up to 1.7 Gt per year (IPCC report, 2000), while the increase in biomass contributing to the absorption of CO2 is only about 0.2 Gt per year instead of almost 2 Gt per year. Even taking into account the possibility of absorption of about 2 Gt of additional carbon by the ocean, there still remains a fairly significant additional flow (currently about 6 Gt per year), increasing the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere. In addition, the absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean may decrease in the near future, and even the reverse process is possible - the release of carbon dioxide from the World Ocean. This is due to a decrease in the solubility of carbon dioxide with increasing water temperature - for example, when the water temperature increases from only 5 to 10 ° C, the solubility coefficient of carbon dioxide in it decreases from approximately 1.4 to 1.2.

So, the flow of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere caused by economic activity is not large compared to some natural flows, but its lack of compensation leads to the gradual accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere, which destroys the balance of CO2 input and output that has developed over billions of years of the evolution of the Earth and life on it.

Numerous facts from the geological and historical past indicate a connection between climate change and fluctuations in greenhouse gases. In the period from 4 to 3.5 billion years ago, the brightness of the Sun was about 30% less than it is now. However, even under the rays of the young, “pale” Sun, life developed on Earth and sedimentary rocks formed: according to at least On part of the earth's surface the temperature was above the freezing point of water. Some scientists suggest that at that time the earth's atmosphere contained 1000 times more axis carbon dioxide than now, and this compensated for the lack of solar energy, since more of the heat emitted by the Earth remained in the atmosphere. The increasing greenhouse effect could be one of the reasons for the exceptionally warm climate later in the Mesozoic era (the age of dinosaurs). According to an analysis of fossil remains, the Earth at that time was 10-15 degrees warmer than it is now. It should be noted that then, 100 million years ago and earlier, the continents occupied a different position than in our time, and the oceanic circulation was also different, so the transfer of heat from the tropics to the polar regions could be greater. However, calculations by Eric J. Barron, now at the University of Pennsylvania, and other researchers indicate that paleocontinental geography could account for no more than half of the Mesozoic warming. The remainder of the warming can easily be explained by rising carbon dioxide levels. This assumption was first put forward by Soviet scientists A. B. Ronov from the State Hydrological Institute and M. I. Budyko from the Main Geophysical Observatory. Calculations supporting this proposal were carried out by Eric Barron, Starley L. Thompson of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). From a geochemical model developed by Robert A. Berner and Antonio C. Lasaga of Yale University and the late Robert. Fields in Texas turned into desert after a drought lasted for some time in 1983. This is the picture, as calculations show computer models, can be observed in many places if the result is global warming Soil moisture will decrease in the central regions of the continents, where grain production is concentrated.

M. Garrels from the University of South Florida, it follows that carbon dioxide could be released under exceptionally strong volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges where rising magma forms new ocean floor. Direct evidence pointing to a connection during glaciations between atmospheric greenhouse gases and climate can be “extracted” from air bubbles included in Antarctic ice, which formed in ancient times as a result of the compaction of falling snow. A team of researchers led by Claude Laurieux from the Laboratory of Glaciology and Geophysics in Grenoble studied a 2000 m long ice column (corresponding to a period lasting 160 thousand years) obtained by Soviet researchers at the Vostok station in Antarctica. Laboratory analysis of the gases contained in this column of ice showed that in the ancient atmosphere, the concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane changed in concert and, more importantly, “in time” with changes in the average local temperature (it was determined by the ratio of the concentrations of hydrogen isotopes in water molecules ). During the last interglacial period, which lasted for 10 thousand years, and during the interglacial period preceding it (130 thousand years ago), which also lasted 10 thousand years, the average temperature in this area was 10 degrees higher than during the glaciations. (In general, the Earth was 5 os warmer during these periods.) During these same periods, the atmosphere contained 25% more carbon dioxide and 100,070 more methane than during the glaciations. It is unclear whether the change in greenhouse gases was the cause rather than the effect climate change or vice versa. Most likely, the cause of glaciations were changes in the Earth's orbit and the special dynamics of the advance and retreat of glaciers; however, these climatic fluctuations may have been amplified by changes in biota and fluctuations in ocean circulation that influence the content of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Even more detailed data on greenhouse gas fluctuations and climate change are available for the last 100 years, during which there has been a further increase of 25% in carbon dioxide concentrations and 100% in methane. "Records" average temperature on the globe for the last 100 years were studied by two teams of researchers led by James E. Hansen of the Goddard Institute space research National Aeronautics and Research Administration outer space, and T. M. L. Wigley from the Climate Department at the University of East Anglia.

Heat retention by the atmosphere is the main component of the Earth's energy balance (Fig. 8). Approximately 30% of the energy coming from the Sun is reflected (left) from either clouds, particles, or the Earth's surface; the remaining 70% is absorbed. The absorbed energy is re-radiated in the infrared by the surface of the planet.

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These scientists used data from weather stations scattered across all continents (the Climate Division team also included measurements at sea in the analysis). However, in two groups they accepted different techniques analysis of observations and taking into account “distortions” associated, for example, with the fact that some weather stations “moved” to another place over a hundred years, and some located in cities provided data “contaminated” by the influence of heat generated industrial enterprises or accumulated per day by buildings and pavement. The latter effect, leading to the emergence of heat islands, is very noticeable in developed countries, such as the United States. However, even if the correction calculated for the United States (it was obtained by Thomas R. Karl of the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, North Carolina, and P. D. Jones of the University of East Anglia) is extended to all data on the globe, in both entries it will remain “<реальное» потепление величиной 0,5 О С, относящееся к последним 100 годам. В согласии с общей тенденцией 1980-е годы остаются самым теплым десятилетием, а 1988, 1987 и 1981 гг. - наиболее теплыми годами (в порядке перечисления). Можно ли считать это «сигналом» парникового потепления? Казалось бы, можно, однако в действительности факты не столь однозначны. Возьмем для примера такое обстоятельство: вместо неуклонного потепления, какое можно ожидать от парникового эффекта, быстрое повышение температуры, происходившее до конца второй мировой войны, сменилось небольшим похолоданием, продлившимся до середины 1970-х годов, за которым последовал второй период быстрого потепления, продолжающийся по сей день. Какой характер примет изменение температуры в ближайшее время? Чтобы дать такой прогноз, необходимо ответить на три вопроса. Какое количество диоксида углерода и других парниковых газов будет выброшено в атмосферу? Насколько при этом возрастет концентрация этих газов в атмосфере? Какой климатический эффект вызовет это повышение концентрации, если будут действовать естественные и антропогенные факторы, которые могут ослаблять или усиливать климатические изменения? Прогноз выбросов - нелегкая задача для исследователей, занимающихся анализом человеческой деятельности. Какое количество диоксида углерода попадет в атмосферу, зависит главным образом от того, сколько ископаемого топлива будет сожжено и сколько лесов вырублено (последний фактор ответствен за половину прироста парниковых газов с 1800 г. и за 20070прироста в наше время). И тот и другой фактор зависят в свою очередь от множества причин. Так, на потреблении ископаемого топлива сказываются рост населения, переход к альтернативным источникам энергии и меры по экономии энергии, а также состояние мировой экономики. Прогнозы в основном сводятся к тому, что потребление ископаемого топлива на земном шаре в целом будет увеличиваться примерно с той же скоростью, что и сегодня намного медленнее, чем до энергетического кризиса 1970-х годов. В результате эмиссия (поступление в атмосферу) диоксида углерода в ближайшие несколько десятилетий, будет увеличиваться на 0,5-2070 в год. Другие парниковые газы, такие как ХФУ, оксиды азота и тропосферный озон, могут вносить в потепление климата почти столь же большой вклад, что и диоксид углерода, хотя в атмосферу их попадает значительно меньше: объясняется это тем, что они более эффективно поглощают солнечную радиацию. Предсказать, какова будет эмиссия этих газов - задача еще более трудная. Так, например, не вполне ясно происхождение некоторых газов, в частности метана; величина выбросов других газов, таких как ХФУ или озон, будет зависеть от того, какие изменения в технологии и политике произойдут в ближайшем будущем.

Exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and various “reservoirs” on Earth (Fig. 9). Each number indicates, in billions of tons, the inflow or outflow of carbon (in the form of dioxide) per year or its stock in the reservoir. These natural cycles, one on land and the other on ocean, remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it adds, but human activity such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels causes carbon levels to fall in the atmosphere increases annually by 3 billion tons. Data taken from the work of Bert Bohlin at Stockholm University

Fig.9

Let's assume we have a reasonable forecast of how carbon dioxide emissions will change. What changes in this case will occur with the concentration of this gas in the atmosphere? Atmospheric carbon dioxide is “consumed” by plants, as well as by the ocean, where it is used up in chemical and biological processes. As the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide changes, the rate of “consumption” of this gas will likely change. In other words, the processes that cause changes in the content of atmospheric carbon dioxide must include feedback. Carbon dioxide is the "feedstock" for photosynthesis in plants, so its consumption by plants will likely increase as it accumulates in the atmosphere, which will slow down this accumulation. Likewise, since the content of carbon dioxide in surface ocean waters is in approximately equilibrium with its content in the atmosphere, increasing the uptake of carbon dioxide by ocean water will slow its accumulation in the atmosphere. It may happen, however, that the accumulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will trigger positive feedback mechanisms that will increase the climate effect. Thus, rapid climate change may lead to the disappearance of some forests and other ecosystems, which will weaken the ability of the biosphere to absorb carbon dioxide. Moreover, warming can lead to the rapid release of carbon stored in dead organic matter in the soil. This carbon, which is twice as much as in the atmosphere, is continually converted into carbon dioxide and methane by soil bacteria. Warming may speed up their operation, resulting in increased release of carbon dioxide (from dry soils) and methane (from rice fields, landfills and wetlands). Quite a lot of methane is also stored in sediments on the continental shelf and below the permafrost layer in the Arctic in the form of clathrates - molecular lattices consisting of methane and water molecules. Warming of shelf waters and thawing of permafrost can lead to the release of methane. Despite these uncertainties, Many researchers believe that the absorption of carbon dioxide by plants and the ocean will slow the accumulation of this gas in the atmosphere - at least in the next 50 to 100 years. Typical estimates based on current emission rates indicate that of the total amount of carbon dioxide entering. into the atmosphere, about half will remain there. It follows that carbon dioxide concentrations will double from 1900 levels (to 600 ppm) between about 2030 and 2080. However, other greenhouse gases will likely accumulate in the atmosphere faster.

Greenhouse gases- gaseous components of the atmosphere of natural or anthropogenic origin that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation.

The anthropogenic increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to an increase in surface temperatures and climate change.
The list of greenhouse gases subject to limitation under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992) is defined in Appendix A to the Kyoto Protocol (signed in Kyoto (Japan) in December 1997 by 159 states) and includes carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane ( CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

water vapor- the most widespread greenhouse gas - is excluded from this consideration, since there is no data on the increase in its concentration in the atmosphere (that is, the danger associated with it is not visible).

Carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide) (CO2)- the most important source of climate change, accounting for an estimated 64% of global warming.

The main sources of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere are the production, transportation, processing and consumption of fossil fuels (86%), tropical deforestation and other biomass burning (12%), and remaining sources (2%), such as cement production and the oxidation of carbon monoxide . Once released, the carbon dioxide molecule cycles through the atmosphere and biota and is finally absorbed by oceanic processes or through long-term accumulation in terrestrial biological stores (i.e., taken up by plants). The amount of time at which approximately 63% of the gas is removed from the atmosphere is called the effective residence period. The estimated effective residence period for carbon dioxide ranges from 50 to 200 years.
Methane (CH4) has both natural and anthropogenic origin. In the latter case, it is formed as a result of fuel production, digestive fermentation (for example, in livestock), rice cultivation, deforestation (mainly due to the combustion of biomass and the breakdown of excess organic matter). Methane is estimated to account for approximately 20% of global warming. Methane emissions are a significant source of greenhouse gases.

Nitrous oxide (N2O)- the third most important greenhouse gas under the Kyoto Protocol. It is released in the production and use of mineral fertilizers, in the chemical industry, in agriculture, etc. It accounts for about 6% of global warming.

Perfluorocarbons- PFCs (Perfluorocarbons - PFCs). Hydrocarbon compounds in which fluorine partially replaces carbon. The main sources of emissions of these gases are the production of aluminum, electronics and solvents. During aluminum smelting, PFC emissions occur in an electric arc or during so-called “anode effects.”

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)- hydrocarbon compounds in which halogens partially replace hydrogen. Gases created to replace ozone-depleting substances have exceptionally high GWPs (140 11700).

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)- greenhouse gas used as an electrical insulating material in the electric power industry. Emissions occur during its production and use. It persists in the atmosphere for an extremely long time and is an active absorber of infrared radiation. Therefore, this compound, even with relatively small emissions, has the potential to influence climate for a long time in the future.

Greenhouse effect from different gases can be reduced to a common denominator, expressing how 1 ton of a particular gas gives a greater effect than 1 ton of CO2. For methane the conversion factor is 21, for nitrous oxide it is 310, and for some fluorinated gases it is several thousand.

1. Increasing the efficiency of energy use in relevant sectors of the national economy;
2. Protection and improvement of the quality of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, taking into account their obligations under the relevant international environmental agreements; promoting sound forestry practices, afforestation and reforestation in a sustainable manner;
3. Promotion of sustainable forms of agriculture in light of climate change considerations;
4. Promoting the implementation, research, development and wider use of new and renewable energy, carbon dioxide absorption technologies and innovative environmentally friendly technologies;
5. Gradual reduction or elimination of market distortions, fiscal incentives, exemptions from taxes and duties, and subsidies that are contrary to the purpose of the Convention in all sectors that produce greenhouse gas emissions, and the use of market-based instruments;
6. Encouraging appropriate reforms in relevant sectors to facilitate the implementation of policies and measures that limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
7. Measures to limit and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transport;
Limit and/or reduce methane emissions through recovery and use in waste disposal, as well as in energy production, transportation and distribution.

These provisions of the Protocol are of a general nature and provide Parties with the opportunity to independently select and implement the set of policies and measures that will best suit national circumstances and priorities.
The main source of greenhouse gas emissions in Russia is the energy sector, which accounts for more than 1/3 of total emissions. The second place is occupied by the extraction of coal, oil and gas (16%), the third - industry and construction (about 13%).

Thus, the greatest contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Russia can be made by realizing the enormous energy saving potential. Currently, the energy intensity of the Russian economy exceeds the world average by 2.3 times, and the average for EU countries by 3.2 times. The potential for energy saving in Russia is estimated at 39-47% of current energy consumption, and it mainly falls on electricity production, transmission and distribution of thermal energy, industrial sectors and unproductive energy losses in buildings.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

Climate change on earth has become more and more noticeable in recent decades. In light of this, the questions that are especially relevant are: what are the emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, how to reduce them, and also what are the prospects for the climate on earth.

What are greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect?

Many people know how a regular garden greenhouse works. The sun's rays pass through the transparent walls and roof, which warms the soil and increases the internal temperature. High temperatures inside the greenhouse are maintained due to the retention of heat inside the garden room by the material of the structure.

If this effect is very useful for a garden greenhouse, since it allows you to effectively grow various types of plants (sometimes not even intended for our latitudes), then for the globe, an increase in temperature is extremely dangerous.

If we talk about global climate change, then the so-called greenhouse gases serve as retaining obstacles to the heat emanating from the Earth. These are substances that transmit infrared radiation from the sun and at the same time retain heat (the same radiation) reflected from the earth's surface, which leads to an increase in the temperature of the near-Earth atmosphere.

Types of greenhouse gases

The most significant greenhouse gases include the following chemical compounds:

Carbon dioxide;
Nitrous oxide;
Methane;
Freons;
Water vapor;
Other gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and so on, more than 30 types in total).

Obviously, according to the nature of their appearance, all the chemical substances listed above can be divided into two groups:

Gases of natural origin;
Anthropogenic substances.

The former are formed as a result of natural earthly processes, for example, water vapor, the origin of the latter is due to the activities of man himself.

Main sources of greenhouse gases

There are many sources of greenhouse gases. All experts in this field clearly place the processes of processing and consumption of fossil fuels in first place. This type of air pollution, from various sources, accounts for 82 to 88 percent of all greenhouse gases.

This category includes most industrial enterprises whose production cycle involves heating one or another type of raw material. In addition, we should not forget about vehicles, in whose engines gasoline and diesel fuel are burned, which leads to the appearance of a significant amount of exhaust gases.

In second place is the burning of biomass, which comes from deforestation, especially tropical ones. This process is closely related to the formation of significant amounts of carbon dioxide. This type of air pollution accounts for 10 to 12 percent of all greenhouse gases.

The emergence of other sources of greenhouse gases is mainly associated with the functioning of industrial enterprises: the production of metals, cement, polymer materials, and so on. Taken together, all such industries emit about 2 percent of all pollution.

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an additional agreement to the UN Convention, adopted in 1997 in the city of Kyoto (Japan), obliging all countries with economies in transition to reduce or at least stabilize greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

According to the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol, in force until the beginning of 2020, all EU countries must collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 8 percent, the USA - 7%, Japan - 6%, Russia and Ukraine were obliged to stabilize industrial production and prevent an increase harmful emissions.

Ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Kyoto Protocol mentioned above defines the main directions for reducing pollution of the earth's atmosphere. The main way to reduce the production of greenhouse gases is to modernize and increase the efficiency of industrial production.

Secondly, the agreement obliges all countries that have signed it to improve the quality of greenhouse gas storage and storage, increase the volume of forestry, and stimulate reforestation.

Thirdly, all states participating in the signing are obliged to stimulate any research in the field of renewable energy sources and carbon dioxide absorption technologies. In light of this situation, all energy saving technologies are of particular relevance.

States are obliged to provide tax benefits and concessions to those industrial taxpayers who are actively making the transition to environmentally friendly technologies, stimulating reforestation, and so on.

Fourthly, the necessary measures should be taken aimed at limiting carbon dioxide emissions in transport: stimulating the production and consumption of electric vehicles, switching to gas motor fuel (more environmentally friendly).

Of course, the Kyoto Protocol with its provisions actually obliges many states to rebuild the activities of their own industries. But, nevertheless, we should not forget that each of us can make our own contribution to this important matter. Below are general recommendations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions:

Maintain the vehicle in technically sound condition;
If possible, choose public transport;
Always unplug the power plug from all electrical appliances that should not operate 24/7;
Use energy-saving technologies;
Strive to achieve a reduction in water consumption;
Start growing your own food or choose local producers.

A greenhouse gas is a mixture of several transparent atmospheric gases that practically do not transmit the Earth's thermal radiation. An increase in their concentration leads to global and irreversible climate change. There are several types of main greenhouse gases. The concentration in the atmosphere of each of them affects the thermal effect in its own way.

Main types

There are several types of gaseous substances that are among the most significant greenhouse gases:

• water vapor;
• carbon dioxide;
• nitrous oxide;
• methane;
• freons;
• PFCs (perfluorocarbons);
• HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons);
• SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride).

About 30 leading to the greenhouse effect have been identified. Substances influence the thermal processes of the Earth depending on the quantity and strength of influence on one molecule. Based on the nature of their occurrence in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are divided into natural and anthropogenic.

water vapor

A common greenhouse gas is its amount in the Earth's atmosphere exceeds the concentration of carbon dioxide. Water vapor has a natural origin: external factors are not able to influence its increase in the environment. The temperature of the world's oceans and air regulates the number of molecules of water evaporation.

An important characteristic of the properties of water vapor is its positive inverse relationship with carbon dioxide. It has been established that the greenhouse effect caused by the emission is approximately doubled due to the effects of water evaporation molecules.

Thus, water vapor as a greenhouse gas is a powerful catalyst for anthropogenic climate warming. Its influence on greenhouse processes should be considered only in conjunction with the properties of a positive connection with carbon dioxide. Water vapor itself does not lead to such global changes.

Carbon dioxide

It occupies a leading place among greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin. It has been established that about 65% of global warming is associated with increased emissions of carbon dioxide into the Earth's atmosphere. The main factor in increasing gas concentration is, of course, human production and technical activity.

Fuel combustion ranks first (86% of total carbon dioxide emissions) among the sources of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Other reasons include the burning of biological mass - mainly forests - and industrial emissions.

Carbon dioxide greenhouse gas is the most effective driver of global warming. After entering the atmosphere, carbon dioxide travels a long way through all its layers. The time it takes to remove 65% of the carbon dioxide from the air envelope is called the effective residence period. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide persist for 50-200 years. It is the long duration of presence of carbon dioxide in the environment that plays a significant role in the processes of the greenhouse effect.

Methane

It enters the atmosphere through natural and anthropogenic means. Despite the fact that its concentration is much lower than that of carbon dioxide, methane acts as a more significant greenhouse gas. 1 molecule of methane is estimated to be 25 times stronger in the greenhouse effect than a molecule of carbon dioxide.

Currently, the atmosphere contains about 20% methane (out of 100% greenhouse gases). Methane enters the air artificially due to industrial emissions. The natural mechanism of gas formation is considered to be excessive decay of organic substances and excessive combustion of forest biomass.

Nitric oxide (I)

Nitrous oxide is considered the third most important greenhouse gas. This is a substance that has a negative effect on the ozone layer. It has been established that about 6% of the greenhouse effect comes from monovalent nitric oxide. The compound is 250 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

Dinitrogen monoxide occurs naturally in the Earth's atmosphere. It has a positive relationship with the ozone layer: the higher the concentration of the oxide, the higher the degree of destruction. On the one hand, reducing ozone reduces the greenhouse effect. At the same time, radioactive radiation is much more dangerous for the planet. The role of ozone in global warming is being studied, and experts are divided on this matter.

PFCs and HFCs

Hydrocarbons with partial replacement of fluorine in the structure of the molecule are greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin. The total impact of such substances on global warming is about 6%.

PFCs are released into the atmosphere from the production of aluminum, electrical equipment, and various solvents. HFCs are compounds in which hydrogen is partially replaced by halogens. They are used in production and in aerosols to replace substances that destroy the ozone layer. They have a high global warming potential, but are safer for the Earth's atmosphere.

Sulfur hexafluoride

Used as an insulating agent in the electrical power industry. The compound tends to persist for a long time in the layers of the atmosphere, which causes long-term and extensive absorption of infrared rays. Even a small amount will have a significant impact on the climate in the future.

Greenhouse effect

The process can be observed not only on Earth, but also on neighboring Venus. Its atmosphere currently consists entirely of carbon dioxide, which has led to an increase in surface temperatures to 475 degrees. Experts are confident that the oceans helped the Earth avoid the same fate: by partially absorbing carbon dioxide, they help remove it from the surrounding air.

Emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere block heat rays, causing the Earth's temperature to rise. Global warming is fraught with serious consequences in the form of an increase in the area of ​​the World Ocean, an increase in natural disasters and precipitation. The existence of species in coastal areas and islands is becoming threatened.

In 1997, the UN adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which was created in order to control the amount of emissions on the territory of each state. Environmentalists are confident that it will no longer be possible to completely solve the problem of global warming, but it remains possible to significantly mitigate the ongoing processes.

Limitation methods

Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by following several rules:

• eliminate inefficient use of electricity;
• increase the efficiency of natural resources;
• increase the number of forests, prevent forest fires in a timely manner;
• use environmentally friendly technologies in production;
• introduce the use of renewable or non-carbon energy sources.

Greenhouse gases in Russia are emitted due to extensive power generation, mining and industrial development.

The main task of science is the invention and implementation of environmentally friendly fuels, the development of a new approach to the processing of waste materials. Gradual reform of production standards, strict control of the technical sphere and careful attitude of everyone towards the environment can significantly reduce Global warming can no longer be avoided, but the process is still controllable.

One of the main greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide - carbon dioxide (CO2). Until recently, its role was overemphasized; up to half of the total contribution to the greenhouse effect was attributed to it. However, we have now come to the conclusion that this estimate was overestimated.

It has been instrumentally proven that in recent decades the annual accumulation of CO 2 in the atmosphere is 0.4%. Since the beginning of the 20th century. the level of CO 2 in the atmosphere increased by 31%. This value is essential to increase the temperature. According to the most optimistic scenario, the temperature will increase in the next century by 1.5-2°C, and the most pessimistic scenario - by almost 6°C.

Every year, 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide enter the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources, of which 3 billion tons are absorbed by vegetation in the processes of photosynthesis, and the remaining 3 billion tons are accumulated. The total amount of accumulation due to human fault over the past 100 years has amounted to about 170 billion tons. The given data should be considered in comparison with the 190 billion tons of carbon dioxide that enter the atmosphere annually as a result of natural processes. According to estimates by a number of Russian scientists, the contribution of anthropogenic activities to global warming is only 10-15%, and the rest is due to global natural cycles. Therefore, human efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are unlikely to significantly slow down the coming warming.

An increase in CO 2 concentration does not mean death for the biosphere. Millions of years ago, during the Carboniferous period, the concentration of CO 2 was 10 times higher than now. During that period, vegetation developed wildly, trees reached large sizes. But conditions were unfavorable for the human population. The maximum upper level of CO2 content in the atmosphere for humans has not been established.

There are different hypotheses about the reasons for the accumulation of CO 2 in the atmosphere. According to the first, most common point of view, carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere as a product of the combustion of organic fuel. The second hypothesis considers the main reason for the increase in CO 2 content to be the dysfunction of microbial communities in the soils of Siberia and part of North America. Regardless of the choice of hypothesis, carbon dioxide accumulation occurs on an ever-increasing scale.

Greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrogen oxides and water vapor have a major impact on the climate.

Underestimated until recently role of methane(SN 4). It is actively involved in the greenhouse effect. In addition, rising to a height of 15-20 km, methane, under the influence of sunlight, decomposes into hydrogen and carbon, which, when combined with oxygen, forms carbon dioxide. This further enhances the greenhouse effect.

In nature, CH 4 is formed in swamps during the decay of organic matter; it is also called swamp gas. Methane also occurs in extensive mangroves in tropical areas. An increase in the concentration of CH 4 occurs in the world due to the destruction of biota. In addition, it enters the atmosphere from tectonic faults on land and on the ocean floor.

Anthropogenic methane emissions are associated with the exploration and extraction of mineral resources, with the combustion of mineral fuels in thermal power plants and organic fuels in internal combustion engines of vehicles, and its release on livestock farms. The use of nitrogen fertilizers, rice cultivation, municipal waste dumping, leakage and incomplete combustion of natural gas also lead to increased emissions of methane and nitrogen oxides, which are potent greenhouse gases. The content of CH 4 in the atmosphere, according to instrumental data, increases by 1% per year. Over the past 100 years the growth has been 145%.

Nitrogen oxides accumulate in the atmosphere per year within 0.2%, and the total accumulation during the period of intensive industrial development was about 15%. The increase in the content of nitrogen oxides is caused by agricultural activities and massive destruction of forests.

Rapid warming of the climate on Earth leads to an acceleration of the water cycle in nature, increased evaporation from water surfaces, which contributes to the accumulation water vapor in the atmosphere and intensifying the greenhouse effect. According to some scientists, about 60% of the greenhouse effect is caused by water vapor. The more of them there are in the troposphere, the stronger the greenhouse effect, and their concentration, in turn, depends on surface temperatures and the area of ​​the water surface.