The Topic of the Climate

The climate change is caused by a change in the composition of the atmosphere. By burning fossil fuels and global deforestation, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is added to the air. The change in the use of land is an additional reason, particularly as a result of the emission of other greenhouse gases, e.g. methane.

But what is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is absolutely necessary for the life on Earth as we know it. If the long-wave heat radiation was reflected back into space unhindered, the average temperature on the Earth’s surface would be about -18°C. Man influences the greenhouse effect by a variety of ways, causing a rise in temperatures.

The Earth’s atmosphere contains so-called trace gases, which allow the short-wave radiation of the Sun to pass unhindered, not, however, the long-wave radiation. As a result, long-wave radiation is partially reflected back to Earth. Due to this fact, our average temperature is approximately +15° C. This is a difference in temperatures of 33° C, which is generated as a result of the natural greenhouse effect.

This rise in average temperature on Earth is connected to a multitude of additional global, regional and local consequences.

Significance of Air Traffic

World-wide air traffic is responsible for about 2.2% of all man-made CO₂-emissions. The effect of air traffic on the climate is however not only the result of the emissions of CO₂. Aircraft also emit nitrous oxides, which, under the influence of the Sun, lead to the creation of Ozone, which in turn develops a strong greenhouse gas at cruising altitude.
Beside this, cirrus and con trails which form as a result of the emission of aerosols, also add tot he greenhouse effect. The German Federal Environmental Agency estimates the proportion of air traffic in the creation of the greenhouse effect to be three to eight per cent. By 2050, this percentage could rise to 15%.

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