The importance of living sustainably April 28, 2024

Glaciers thawing fast

Globalization is by far one of the most significant challenges facing humanity. It is how most of us perceive, control, and ultimately how we will deal with them, as individuals and as a species. Global warming refers to the increase in the Earth's average temperature due to the rise in greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These gases are released in large quantities during the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities. As the average temperature rises, polar ice caps and glaciers melt, raising sea levels and destroying the habitats of various species, as well as the high risk of long-dormant viruses thawing, resulting in major disasters as well as epidemics or, in a slightly more drastic scenario, a pandemic.

Another important impact of global warming is the change in weather patterns. Regions once fertile and suitable for planting may become more arid and susceptible to deserts and desertification, causing shortages and food insecurity. In addition, global warming also affects marine ecosystems: the oceans are acidified and aquatic life, corals, fish, and other organisms are threatened. Finally, it is essential to emphasize that global warming has not only environmental effects but also socio-economic implications. As natural resources are displaced and the ecosystem is damaged, the communities that depend on these resources to survive are severely affected. In addition, higher temperatures and extreme weather conditions can result in the displacement of populations on a global scale and cause large-scale collapse.

To solve these problems, it is essential to take measures to reduce global warming and its effects. One common way is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which involves switching to generative energy sources such as solar and wind power and promoting sustainable practices in the pollution, agriculture, and transportation sectors. Another approach includes promoting awareness and education to raise the issue and the way for grassroots groups to combat global warming. Investing in awareness campaigns to introduce people to the nature of the problem allows them to acquire a new concept of this phenomenon and incorporate it into their lifestyle, especially when it comes to saving energy and reducing the use of disposable products. The response to global warming requires a joint effort by governments, companies, institutions, and individuals. Only by acting together coherently will it be possible to halt the advance of this phenomenon that threatens the security of life on Earth. People need to raise their awareness and lead a more sustainable lifestyle to protect the only planet known to date that presents ideal conditions for life.

It is worth noting that the accumulation of these gases, especially the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) mentioned above, also contributes to the formation of holes in the ozone layer. To better understand the nature of the problem, it is important to understand the process by which the planet's protective layer is formed. The atmosphere is made up of a mixture of gases, nitrogen (N), oxygen (O2), and 1% of other gases and has 5 layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The ozone layer is formed by chemical reactions that take place in the stratosphere through the breakdown of the oxygen molecule (O2) by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Take a look at the following reaction:

O2 + UV → 2O

UV rays break down the O2 molecule into two free oxygens, which in turn bind to another oxygen molecule (O2), thus forming ozone (O3), as shown in the reaction below:

O + O2 → O3

These reactions occur naturally and simultaneously, i.e. as an O2 molecule is broken down, the free oxygen combines with other O2 molecules to form O3 in the stratosphere, but the accumulation of gases such as CFCs is detrimental to the process of forming the protective layer. CFCs are compounds containing chlorine (Cl) and fluorine (F) attached to carbon chains. When they react with UV rays, the reaction releases chlorine atoms that destroy several ozone molecules, as Cl is highly reactive and reacts with ozone to form an oxygen molecule (O2) and a chlorine monoxide molecule (ClO). 

As the ozone present in the layer decreases, holes form in the ozone layer. These holes allow the sun's UV rays to penetrate the atmosphere more intensely, causing harmful effects on human health, the environment, and animals. In other words, the ozone layer is essential for life on Earth, as it acts as a kind of filter, absorbing a large part of UV rays, and protecting living beings from exposure to excess UV rays, which are harmful to health.

Solange Martins