出版社：Sociedade Brasileira de Planejamento Energético
摘要：Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are produced by human activity have grown rapidly since the beglnning of this century. Unless emissions of these gases are controlled we could face sudden and rapid cllmate changes including an increase in temperature and changes in weather patterns. These changes, in turn, would bring about sea level rise, flooding of low lying areas and destruction of manmade and natural systems. Agriculture could be disrupted and shift geographically. Other effects will include destruction of habitat and of specles that cannot adapt quickly enough, stress on water resources and economic disruption. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCCI, agroup of scientists estabhshed by the United Nations Environmental Programme and the World Meteorological Organization to study the problem, indicated in a recent report that emissions must be reduced in order to avoid serious consequences 2 . Negotiations are already underway to conslder a climate convention at the United Nations meeting on Environment and Development to be held in Brazil in 1992. Sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the main contributor to climate change, are the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are consumed by cars, industry, power plants and for commercial And residential uses. Carbon dioxide is released in deforestatton by burning or cutting. .After deforestation, carbon that is stored in the soti continues to be released for many years. Other greenhouse gases include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and methane. CFCs are manmade chemicals used as refrigerants, solvents and blowing agents. Methane, or natural gas. escapes into the atmosphere during its transport, in the production of all fossil fuels and from landfills. It also is produced by cows and sheep and in rice cultivation. Nitrous oxide (N20) is another greenhouse gas. It comes from fertilizers and burning of wood and fossil fuels. In this article we will refer to only C02. However. any attempt to control greenhouse gases should include all major greenhouse gases not only CO2.
