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CO₂ Impact: Between Fearmongering and Reality

12.11.2024

The effects of CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions are a widely discussed topic, often accompanied by impressive figures and comparisons that can trigger alarm. But let’s pause for a moment: when we read that an electric car produces 2.6 tons of CO₂ annually, compared to 3.8 tons for a conventional car, what does that really mean for us?

Some say that’s a lot, others say it’s little, and still others emphasize that, when multiplied by millions of vehicles, it becomes relevant. But what do these numbers truly mean? Is the problem just the numerical value? It’s not enough to look at the figures in isolation.

It’s worth taking a moment to reflect on how our brains process this information and how numbers—whether in percentages or absolute terms—mean nothing without the right context. But even that is not enough: to develop an accurate and responsible understanding of the issue, it is crucial to also assess the consequences of the decisions made. The question is: are all the connections—both in action and in inaction—being considered, or are we working with incomplete information? Only with a comprehensive view can we make conscious decisions and avoid manipulation or distorted interpretations.

The following data, sourced from various references, do not claim to be “correct” in an absolute sense, but aim to provide a sense of scale and offer a global overview.

Before the Industrial Revolution, our planet maintained a balance, with a CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere of around 280 parts per million (ppm). The oceans, with a pH of 8.2, supported marine ecosystems in perfect equilibrium. Today, the CO₂ concentration has surpassed 420 ppm—a change whose real implications should be understood.

For context: in enclosed spaces with normal ventilation, CO₂ concentrations up to 1,000 ppm are considered harmless. However, the problem is not the air we breathe, but the effects on the climate and the ecosystem.

The IPCC has defined a critical threshold at 450 ppm, beyond which the risks of irreversible climate change increase significantly, such as accelerated melting of glaciers and ice caps, extreme shifts in weather patterns, biodiversity loss, and desertification.

Currently, human activities release about 40 billion tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere each year. Through natural processes, the planet is able to absorb roughly half of this amount. The remaining 20 billion tons, however, represent the excess that disrupts the balance.

Since 1 ppm corresponds to approximately 2.13 billion tons of CO₂, one could expect an annual increase of at least 9 ppm when considering global emissions. In reality, only an increase of 2–3 ppm per year has been recorded. The reason lies in the critical role of the oceans: they absorb a significant share of the emitted CO₂, but at a high cost. The pH at the ocean surface has dropped from 8.2 to 8.1, which corresponds to a 26% increase in acidity, with serious consequences for marine life.

In conclusion, to maintain the current balance, annual emissions would need to be reduced by 20 billion tons. Compensatory measures like reforestation are important, but not sufficient on their own: to offset the current excess emissions, 20 million square kilometers of new forests would be required—nearly half of the current global forest area.

Europe, with 7.8 billion tons of annual emissions, accounts for only a small part of the global problem. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the importance of its contribution: every reduction matters in this global challenge.

The right path does not lie in extremes—neither in alarmism nor in denial—but in a rational and balanced approach. We need concrete, science-based actions that involve all levels worldwide.

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