Thermodynamic approaches in the study of environmental problems

Abstract

Purpose. Analysis from the thermodynamic point of view of the causes of global environmental problems and the possibilities of overcoming them. Results. The application of the laws of thermodynamics to attempts to solve environmental problems is analyzed. The existence of life and the biosphere as a whole is determined by the flow of energy, the intensity of which per unit weight of living beings significantly exceeds the specific intensity of energy transformation in the Sun. From the second law of thermodynamics, a conclusion is made about the objectivity of environmental pollution, since the efficiency of energy transformation is always less than 100%, and is 1-50%. The remaining part of the degraded energy is the main cause of environmental pollution. The emergence of many global environmental problems is directly related to this part of energy. There is continuous exponential growth in both population and energy consumption. A critical overview of the existence and development of global environmental problems is given. The development of population growth is predicted for the current century. Conclusions. Possible ways to overcome global environmental problems are discussed. The need to develop a new paradigm of human interaction with the environment is confirmed.

Keywords

• thermodynamics
• environmental problem
• energy
• climate
• biosphere