Environmental Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

2007

Global Warming is Real, but It Is Occurring on Other Planets too

A review (132 references) of the research literature concerning the environmental consequences of increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to the conclusion that increases during the 20th and early 21st centuries have produced no deleterious effects upon Earth's weather and climate. Increased carbon dioxide has, however, markedly increased plant growth. Predictions of harmful climatic effects due to future increases in hydrocarbon use and minor greenhouse gases like CO2 do not conform to current experimental knowledge. The environmental effects of rapid expansion of the nuclear and hydrocarbon energy industries are discussed. Observed variation in solar activity is typical of stars close in size and age to the sun. The current warming trends on Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Neptune's moon Triton, and Pluto may result, in part, from similar relations to the sun and its activity – like those that are warming the Earth.

NOTE: If you want to really understand global warming outside of its poiltical rhetoric, reserve some time and carefully read this article. See the Powerpoint presentation if you need it digested for you. This is important, because our planet is preparing to invest enormous sums in the possibly pointless exercise of reducing Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere. Human impact upon the planet -- pollution, e.g., -- clearly needs to be controlled, but controlling Carbon Dioxide may not be the best way to attack this issue.

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