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The Environment / Re: What is the meaning of 400 ppm (0.04%) atmospheric CO2?
« on: 08/07/2013 20:49:58 »
Oh come on, BC!
There's a huge difference between 400 ppm and 40,000 ppm, and the mammalian breathing reflex doesn't work in the complete absence of CO2 (which is why we have re-breathing bags on oxygen supplies).
The Israeli economy was built on greening deserts. The US economy nearly collapsed when overcultivation turned parts of the Midwest into a dustbowl. History suggests that the Sahara was largely manmade: its fringes certainly support a fair number of people, and anything we can do to keep it in check, or even reverse desertification, would be welcome.
Not that I have any sympathy with "most people". The world would be a much nicer place with a smaller human population.
There's a huge difference between 400 ppm and 40,000 ppm, and the mammalian breathing reflex doesn't work in the complete absence of CO2 (which is why we have re-breathing bags on oxygen supplies).
The Israeli economy was built on greening deserts. The US economy nearly collapsed when overcultivation turned parts of the Midwest into a dustbowl. History suggests that the Sahara was largely manmade: its fringes certainly support a fair number of people, and anything we can do to keep it in check, or even reverse desertification, would be welcome.
Not that I have any sympathy with "most people". The world would be a much nicer place with a smaller human population.