We count on plants to absorb carbon dioxide. This ability is a fundamental component of photosynthesis, one of the pillars on which our global ecosystem stands. A new report from Nature says that as temperatures increase due to global climate change, Northern hemisphere flora may start to lose carbon dioxide faster than they absorb it thanks to longer and warmer autumns. According to ENN's writeup,
This is because in autumn, plant respiration — the process by which plants produce energy and release carbon dioxide — occurs more than photosynthesis, the process by which plants absorb carbon for growth.The full article is available on Nature's website, though you'll need a subscription to view it (not to mention an advanced degree to get the most out of the technical details).
This is another example of why climate change is such an urgent problem: its effects are unpredictable and may feed on themselves, meaning that time may run out even quicker than current models predict.
(Photo by Flickr user adamsofen)
9 comments:
im amazed at the ammount of publicity to global warming coupled with the evidence that it is getting unprecidently warmer, the ice melting, climate changing on every inch of the earth and we the liberal pro environment community still meats opposition. I fear for humanity whether it be a raising sea level, intensified storms, biodiversity loss or whatever that we have made a major mistake. many good intentioned friends of mine say that no body cares about the environment. that may have some truth but i care. and at worst thats one in 212 or whatever thousand in america and at best i believe i have alot of people behind me. I ask that people especially those with resources to help change the dialogue from a debate on global warming to a diologue on preventative measures that will ultimately save the world. thankyou and good day from a concerned boulderite...
question for guys.
Carbon credits are good, but how good are the international ones (yes I am for protecting what we've got left)?
Consider corruption and lack of ability for most third world countries to enforce certain practices. Another is what about local credits?
Too me it just seems like some those who have a pollution problem are going to justify themselves by buying credits. Sorry I don't buy that idea anymore than the catholic tradition of novenas (buying forgiveness of your sins before you commit them).
Pollution control, credits (local and international ) must go hand in hand - shouldn't they?
Hello. The reason you probably meet opposition is because the facts about global warming are not proven. Nothing is more powerful than nature....even if man thinks it is. It's actually typically ignorant and egotistical to think that man could ever be more powerful than nature (I do admit that it is equally ignorant and egotistical to think that we can pollute the world without consequence....it must stop even if not for climate change reasons).
Sunspot activity will be at a solar min after the next cycle (according to NASSA).....what will that mean to the warming trend?
If you research the cyclic and universal situation the world is entering....you may find the truth.
I feel we pollute our planet with more words than help. Yes, definitely there is a climate change, even in a country like ours, India, but it is in reverse mode for now. Especially in the south of India.
There used to be no winter in South India, but now there is a much well defined one here as well.
Do visit my blog for healthier stuffs like short stories, poems and paintings. http://chandinisantosh.blogspot.com
It just pisses rain here all the time.
i thank you for the information. we badly needed this information about global warming to warn others.
Good intiative, u are creatng public awareness to all the people.
I appreciate it. People should realise the environemtn hazards associateed with it. So shall i for the best of environment
http://vinodjayachandran.blogspot.com/
I am confused by the comment that says plants will start giving off more carbon than they absorb due to warmer autumns. If absorbing CO2 increases plant mass, then expiring it will reduce plant mass. So the implication here is plants will waste away to nothing? Does this current happen in already warm environments until they are barren wastelands. Are all warm places destine to become deserts?
If, like many people believe, we are past the tipping point, then the only way to reduce warming in the short term is to cool the earth. The only reasonable way to do this is to increase the sulfur dioxide content in the atmosphere. This can be done by increasing it in jet fuel. Only then can we buy the time to reduce enough carbon to get in balance. Ignoring the need to cools is a dangerous game.
Post a Comment