Some interesting facts about carbon dioxide
January 27th, 2009
Consider:
• In 1850, atmospheric carbon dioxide was roughly 280 p.p.m.
• Today it is 385 p.p.m.
• By 2050? Predictions range from 450 to 600 p.p.m.
• CO2 contributes to half of global warming. Gases like chlorofluorocarbons and methane, along with soot and other pollutants, contribute to the rest.
• Carbon Dioxide, because of the way it interacts with the oceans and atmosphere is more persistent than the other causes of global warming, which dissipate more quickly when the sources decline.
What can we conclude? Reductions in emissions is only part of the equation. We must actively pursue methods to remove CO2 from the air. “Carbon capture and storage” (CCS) is a term used for the non-biological method of injecting carbon into storage sites, i.e., geologic formations.
Biological methods center around reducing deforestation and planting trees. On an individual level, planting trees is an activity where you can make a difference, and remains the cheapest way to remove CO2.
“Think Globally, Act Locally.” Healthy trees absorb 48 pounds of carbon each year, and produce enough oxygen to support two people. If a million people each planted a tree, 10,000,000 pounds of carbon would be removed from the atmosphere each year, according to the American Forestry Association.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this subject.
Tags: Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Sequestration, environment, green movement
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February 4th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
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