Preface to the special section on materials for chemical and electrochemical energy storage

Abstract

It is well known that the widespread usage of fossil fuels has resulted in a steady rise of the CO2 level in the atmosphere. The calculated average CO2 level in the atmosphere during the pre-industrial revolution period fluctuated between 180 ppm (during ice ages) and 280 ppm (during interglacial warm periods). According to the measurements of Charles David Keeling, in 1958 the atmospheric CO2 concentration was around 317 ppm. This value has risen dramatically since then and, since 2017, it has settled constantly above 400 ppm. Without a doubt, this resulted in a change in natural atmospheric equilibria, which in turn resulted in a sensible increase in the average Earth temperature.