| The
greenhouse effect o This effect is caused by an increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide as such is not a pollutant. On the contrary, it is a necessity of life, particularly of plant life. o The dangers come with its rapid concentration increases in the atmosphere. o Carbon dioxide, which for ages has been absorbed by an opulent flora and fauna and which eventually in the shape of fossil combustibles had been was 'grounded' again - has with the beginning of industrialization and the related high energy demands been released in only a few centuries. o The share of carbon dioxides resulting from combustions of coal, gas or oil is steadily increasing. At the same time more and more forests are cleared, for example, for tourism or consumer goods so that less and less carbon dioxide can be broken down. However, an over-concentration of this gas prevents the earth's radiation from escaping into the atmosphere. Consequently, temperatures on Earth are rising which causes climate zone shifts. In polar regions, glaciers and ice are melting, sea levels are rising by up to 1.5 m; storm tides are becoming more frequent. Entire coastal regions could be flooded (areas just above sea level would disappear completely) due to environmental changes, so-called 'environmental refugees' could lead to unimaginable conflicts. Therefore: unused energy secures resources and helps the environment!
|
