Self-initiated cooling of the troposphere occurs by enriching the same with at least one substance from the group of inorganic chloride and bromide compounds. The substances used to this end are characterized by at least one of the properties: gaseous, vaporous below 500° C., hygroscopic, hydrolysable. The formation of the substances used to this end is further characterized in the process in accordance with the invention by at least one of the steps: forming the substance using salt water electrolysis, forming the substance outside of combustion processes, forming the substance in the free troposphere.