Al Gore and other global-warming doomsday fanatics are on a crusade to save the planet by reducing carbon emissions. A great article in Wired warns that the problem is more than just a single-minded focus on CO2 and requires those who truly wish to save the planet to first change their perspective. This means giving up on same of environmentalism’s sacred cows. One of which is protecting the forests.
It seems that when it comes to fighting climate change, older trees actually contribute to global warming. Certainly, a tree acts as an atmospheric vacuum cleaner by taking in CO2 and giving off O2; however, as a tree ages it shifts from a CO2 absorber to a CO2 emitter. According to Wired, a tree will absorb about 1,500 pounds of CO2 during the first 55 years of its life. After that, its growth will slow and the tree will absorb less carbon. If left untouched, the tree will gradually decompose or burn in a forest fire and all the stored CO2 will be released back into the atmosphere. So, what’s the alternative?
Treat trees as crops! A tree farm would act as atmospheric cleaning factory, taking CO2 out of the air and replacing it with O2. As the tress ages and it’s usefulness as an atmospheric filter diminishes, it would be cut-down and used for some other purpose, like making furniture. A continuing cycle of planting seedlings, as the elder tress are recycled would provide an extremely efficient mechanism for atmospheric CO2 removal.
What are some of the other debunked environmental myths?
- Urban living beats suburban living
- Air conditioning is better than heating
- Traditional agriculture beats organic
…and more
Tags: Al Gore, carbon, CO2, environmentalist, forest, Inconvenient Truth, O2
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June 8, 2008 at 6:34 pm
writer chick
Hey JOS,
The problem with much of the environmental cult is that it is approached more as a religion and/or political stance than as a cause to actually correctly assess a situation and work toward solving it. Unfortunately. Great find though and wow, do I love that picture.
WC
June 9, 2008 at 7:52 pm
JOS
I agree, WC, and the scary thing is these nuts have the ears of government and the UN.