The atmosphere is one of the fundamental elements that make the Earth a habitable planet. for living beings. Its composition, temperature, and dynamics directly affect the life and development of ecosystems, in addition to protecting us from solar radiation and maintaining the thermal stability necessary for plants and animals to thrive.
However, the stability of the atmosphere is constantly changing.Recent scientific advances and international climate studies warn us of possible short- and long-term variations, both due to natural causes and human intervention. The scientific community is increasingly attentive to these changes and their consequences for the future of life on Earth.
How long will the Earth remain habitable?
Although it may seem that the Earth will always be a welcoming world, scientists have modeled the evolution of the oxygen-rich atmosphere and they agree that this balance has an expiration date – although it is very far away by human standards. Currently, oxygen represents about 21% of atmospheric gases., an ideal value for the development of complex organisms.
Studies carried out by international teams They have simulated atmospheric evolution, taking into account factors such as the aging of the Sun, the decline in carbon dioxide, and the behavior of the biosphere. According to the results, the atmosphere that currently allows us to live could remain stable for approximately a billion more yearsBeyond this threshold, oxygen levels will decrease dramatically due to the progressive increase in solar energy and the resulting disruption of the carbon cycle.
This reduction in oxygen will be a consequence, mainly, of solar aging.As the Sun warms, CO2 will degrade and photosynthesis will decline, crippling oxygen production. When that time comes, the planet will have an atmosphere predominantly composed of gases like methane and carbon dioxide, reminiscent of the conditions that existed on early Earth more than two billion years ago.
In that hypothetical future, complex life will no longer be viableHowever, scientists emphasize that this process will be extremely slow, allowing the biosphere to gradually evolve and adapt over many generations.
The atmosphere and the impact of current climate change
While the future of the atmosphere is seen as a long-term issue, at present Climate change is altering its patterns at an unprecedented speedThe international scientific community, with projects involving organizations such as NASA, the University of Oxford, and UVigo, is studying the effect of global warming on the upper atmosphere, satellite orbits, and the accumulation of space debris.
In recent years, Temperature records have been repeatedly broken, and June threatens to become the hottest month on record for the Iberian Peninsula. Experts attribute part of this situation to a "stagnant atmospheric circulation" or "traffic jam," which favors the continuation of heat waves and limits the arrival of cold fronts, making hot spells longer and more intense.
This phenomenon of atmospheric stagnation is accompanied by additional risks: More intense storms, heat wave warnings, insect proliferation, and an increased threat of wildfiresAlthough recent spring rains may mitigate the risk of fires, the succession of wet and warm periods can also favor pest infestations and health risks. The State Meteorological Agency maintains storm warnings in the north of the peninsula and warns of the possibility of extreme weather in various regions.
One of the most relevant scientific approaches is the study of the upper atmosphereSpanish teams, such as the one led by Juan Antonio Añel of UVigo, participate in international initiatives to monitor how climate change is affecting the atmosphere and satellite safety. This work is essential for understanding how our planet will evolve and anticipating potential risk scenarios.
Innovation to reduce atmospheric CO2: new photosynthetic materials
Faced with the challenges posed by climate change to the atmosphere, Research advances in technological solutions to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxideAn international team led by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) has developed a “living” material that traps CO2 present in the air.
This innovative material integrates photosynthetic cyanobacteria within a hydrogel that can be printed in three dimensions. Unlike traditional materials, this compound grows and hardens over time, storing carbon both in the form of biomass and a mineral skeleton generated by the metabolic activity of microorganisms. The result is a doubly efficient carbon sequestration process, which could be applied in building construction to reduce its climate footprint.
According to initial laboratory tests, A single gram of the material can capture up to 26 milligrams of CO2, achieving yields similar to those of some complex industrial processes. Its porous structure also gives it thermal and acoustic insulation properties, which could transform the design of facades and the comfort of buildings.
This type of development opens the door to a more sustainable and regenerative construction, with materials capable of self-repair, adapting to the environment and actively contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Recent research has brought to the table both the long-term threats to the atmosphere—from natural and human causes— as well as the opportunities that science and technology can provide to preserve it. Conservation and care of the atmosphere become key to ensuring the survival and well-being of future generations.
