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The Environment / Do volcanoes cause global warming or global cooling?

« on: 29/06/2009 02:30:01 »

Richard_Roberts asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi chris,

Like everyone else I hear dozens of comments daily about co2 causing global warming, or not. 
 
I am not a scientist, by any stretch, but I do study history.  I have heard that volcanoes release large quantities of co2.  The three biggest events in weather that I know of in history is 535, 1816, and Krakatoa (forgot the date). 

In 535 there were three years of exceptionally cold years, causing major famines around the world.  This was supposed to be a volcano at fault. 

Also 1816 was called "the year without a summer" "poverty year" and (my favourite) 1800 and froze to death. There were reports of a volcano in Tamaria (?) that caused this. 
 
My comment is that if these eruptions release co2, they caused massive cooling, instead of warming.  So does co2 cause cooling or warming? 

As a small joke, I am a blacksmith, and use coal.  I know that coal releases co2, but I am sweating like a horse.

Thanks,
Richard Roberts

What do you think?

2

Chemistry / How is caffeine extracted from whole coffee beans?

« on: 29/05/2009 23:57:22 »

I find the best way to extract caffine is through my kidneys

Richard Roberts

3

Radio Show & Podcast Feedback / Re: Did Metal and domesticating dogs make humans successful!

« on: 29/05/2009 23:50:58 »

Homo sapiens existed alongside neanderthal, or the vast majority of the time neanderthal was the more dominant species.  They were stronger, faster, had better smell (larger nasel) then homo sapiens.  That helped them hunt better.  When we domesticated dogs we gained better hearing, smell, and speed.  Now we hunted better with our allies.  Also I like dogs.

Any takers for the idea that it's our big brains that made the difference; otherwise the dogs might have domesticated us.