CO2 Pollution and Global Warming
By Kenneth Barbalace
[Friday, December 08, 2006]
Why is carbon dioxide, a life sustaining, compound considered pollution and how do scientists know that humans are responsible for the increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and global warming? When does carbon dioxide become a pollutant?
There is so much debate surrounding CO2 and global warming and a tremendous amount of misinformation or basic misunderstanding of the issue and what the source of increased CO2 is. In her latest article, Roberta Barbalace tries to help the reader see past the noise and understand what it is we know about CO2 and how we know what the source of the increased CO2 levels are. Read entire article: "CO2 Pollution and Global Warming"
There is so much debate surrounding CO2 and global warming and a tremendous amount of misinformation or basic misunderstanding of the issue and what the source of increased CO2 is. In her latest article, Roberta Barbalace tries to help the reader see past the noise and understand what it is we know about CO2 and how we know what the source of the increased CO2 levels are. Read entire article: "CO2 Pollution and Global Warming"
9 comments:
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In discussing the carbon cycle with a friend I discovered I am unclear on the details of how decomposing plants release CO2. Is that a product of decomposition? Is it just that there is more carbon available and then another process occurs to produce CO2? Or is it something else entirely?
All feedback appreciated.
I am confused about how CO2 is responsible for the increase in the globes temperature. The arguement states that the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere is the main cause of "greenhouse gases". My understanding is that these gases form a "shield" around the globe in the upper atmosphere. This shield allows light and heat in, but it doesn't allow it out again. Considering that the molecular weight of CO2 is 44 and the Air is 29, can you please explain how the CO2 gets into the upper atmosphere. Considering all the CO2 is produced at or near to ground level, surely it should sink and most probably be dissolved into the oceans.
I'm not extremely educated about this, and I believe that global warming is happening, but is it really happening just because of human activities? Are there other things out there that could be adding to the CO2? Like Volcanoes? I've heard a rumor that the earth goes through warm cycles, just like it goes through Ice Ages, maybe global warming is just a part of the earth's cycle?
We need to reduce the number of people on this earth. Or maybe we should just all hold our breath as long as we can, that would certainly reduce CO2 "emissions." Note to self, stop heavy breathing, including from exercise.
I have a simple question but could not find a right-to-the-point answer: is the increase of CO2 concentration that is actually measured enough to account for all the global worming observed? And I mean I want to see the calculations not just declarations by this politician or another. Anybody?
I am a 7th grade student trying to find out what the amin source of co2 is... i need 2 find this out fr a project im doin... how can we help reduce the main problem??? HELP!!
While dissent has its place. The reasons why we will not publish any comment even briefly arguing against climate change can be best explained by reading the following:
Climate change deniers: failsafe tips on how to spot them
How to Talk to a Climate Sceptic
If you doubt climate change is real and is being greatly influenced by human activity you are in denial. Human influenced climate change is real and a lot of people will suffer greatly if we don't do something to mend the damage we have caused. We are not going to provide a space for climate change deniers to spread lies.
people say that the thickness of the ozone layer is increasing due to the pollutants accumulated in the atmosphere and especially due to CO2. the thicker layer traps more of the UV rays from the sun thereby resulting in an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere as well as the earth. is this 100%?
Rohit- the ozone layer still has holes despite the reduction of the CFC's that were said to cause the holes! The holes are now thought to be changing due to natural causes. What we do not know! The greenhouse effect does not conform to the basic 'law zero' of thermodynamics- that heat can only flow from warm to cold. The atmosphere is colder than the surface so heat does not reradiate to the surface only to space. Climate models insist that the troposphere is warm but measurements cannot detect this heat. The models are wrong!
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