The increased anthropogenic gas emissions in the atmosphere and the rising of the Earth’s temperature: are there actions to mitigate the global warming?

• Main Authors: Francesco Barzagli, Fabrizio Mani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Firenze University Press 2019-03-01
• Series: Substantia
• Subjects: global warming; Greenhouse Gas emissions; Climate changes; CO2 capture; CO2 utilization
• Online Access: https://riviste.fupress.net/index.php/subs/article/view/69

Some frozen bodies have been recently discovered in the Alp glaciers because the global warming is forcing the ice to retreat. Many years have passed since the first perception of a strong link between the temperature of the Earth and the amount of some gases in the atmosphere, the so called greenhouse gases. Today there is a general consensus among the governments, the scientists and industrial organizations of most countries in recognizing the relationship between the increase of the atmospheric CO2 concentration resulting from over a century of combustion of fossil fuels and the observed global warming. The development of technologies to reduce the anthropogenic emissions should not be further delayed, in accordance with the Paris Agreement that recommended keeping the global mean temperature well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. This paper gives an overview of the different greenhouse gases, their emissions by economic sectors and the international treaties that require the most developed countries to pursue the objective of reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Amongst the different actions directed towards a low-carbon economy, the chemical capture of CO2 from large stationary emission points is the most efficient and widespread option. Additionally, new technologies are currently exploited to capture CO2 directly from air and to convert CO2 into fuels and valuable chemicals.