I can only assume that Scientists are so keen to push their own agendas that they have ignored a fundamental facet of Science. What are these people being paid for exactly?
Global warming: plants may absorb more carbon dioxide than previously thought - Telegraph
Global warming may not be damaging the Earth as quickly as feared after scientists found that plants can soak up more carbon dioxide than previously thought.
According to researchers, climate models have failed to take into account that when carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, plants thrive, become larger, and are able to absorb more CO2.
As part of the carbon cycle, plants use light to photosynthesise carbon dioxide, turning it into carbohydrate to grow and releasing oxygen as a waste product.
Now a team at Wyoming University has found that carbon dioxide stays in leaves longer than previously thought, acting as a fertiliser and accelerating plant growth.
“The terrestrial biosphere may absorb more CO2 than previously thought,” said lead author Professor Ying Sun, of Wyoming University.
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The scientists say it explains why levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are not rising as quickly as models predict.
The team estimates that climate scientists have underestimated the ability of plants to grow and absorb carbon dioxide by as much as 16 per cent.
The finding may mean that it will be easier to fulfil the target of keeping global warming below two degrees since pre-industrial times. The Earth has currently warmed 0.85°C from 1880.
It was originally thought that vegetation on Earth currently removes one quarter of all human emissions. But the new study suggests it is far higher.
Dr Chris Huntingford, Climate Modeller at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said: “This new paper suggests plants are slightly better at capturing CO2 than we thought.
“It will be slightly easier to fulfil the target of keeping global warming below two degrees – but with a big emphasis on ‘slightly’.
“Overall, the cuts in CO2 emissions over the next few decades will still have to be very large if we want to keep warming below 2 degrees.”
In August, a final report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that the world faces "severe, widespread and irreversible" effects of climate change unless it takes urgent action to limit global warming by cutting back on burning fossil fuels.
Extreme weather such as floods, heat waves and droughts are expected to become more common while climate change may even worsen the risk of violent conflicts, the report warned
The UN has set a target of limiting global warming to 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels. But the experts said it appears increasingly likely that target will be missed, leading to more severe impacts
Although the new paper gives new hope that the target could be met. But some climate experts urged caution.
Dr Simon Lewis, Reader in Global Change Science at University College London, said: “This study shows, correctly in my view, that photosynthesis is highly responsive to carbon dioxide, but this is far from the only factor amongst many that will impact the forests of the 21st century and how much carbon they store.
“The level and speed of greenhouse gas emissions cuts needed to avoid dangerous levels of climate change are not altered by this new study.”
Prof Peter Cox, Professor of Climate System Dynamics at the University of Exeter, said: “Avoiding two degrees of global warming is a huge challenge for humanity even if this effect is taken into account.”
Global warming: plants may absorb more carbon dioxide than previously thought - Telegraph
Global warming may not be damaging the Earth as quickly as feared after scientists found that plants can soak up more carbon dioxide than previously thought.
According to researchers, climate models have failed to take into account that when carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, plants thrive, become larger, and are able to absorb more CO2.
As part of the carbon cycle, plants use light to photosynthesise carbon dioxide, turning it into carbohydrate to grow and releasing oxygen as a waste product.
Now a team at Wyoming University has found that carbon dioxide stays in leaves longer than previously thought, acting as a fertiliser and accelerating plant growth.
“The terrestrial biosphere may absorb more CO2 than previously thought,” said lead author Professor Ying Sun, of Wyoming University.
Related Articles
Vapour rises from cooling towers as the sun sets on behind Drax Power Station
China and America in crucial talks on global warming 02 May 2014
Bluebells blooming three weeks earlier than last year due to warm spring 18 Apr 2014
The new Dark Age 10 Apr 2014
The climate talks bring pain, not gain 09 Dec 2012
The scientists say it explains why levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are not rising as quickly as models predict.
The team estimates that climate scientists have underestimated the ability of plants to grow and absorb carbon dioxide by as much as 16 per cent.
The finding may mean that it will be easier to fulfil the target of keeping global warming below two degrees since pre-industrial times. The Earth has currently warmed 0.85°C from 1880.
It was originally thought that vegetation on Earth currently removes one quarter of all human emissions. But the new study suggests it is far higher.
Dr Chris Huntingford, Climate Modeller at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said: “This new paper suggests plants are slightly better at capturing CO2 than we thought.
“It will be slightly easier to fulfil the target of keeping global warming below two degrees – but with a big emphasis on ‘slightly’.
“Overall, the cuts in CO2 emissions over the next few decades will still have to be very large if we want to keep warming below 2 degrees.”
In August, a final report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that the world faces "severe, widespread and irreversible" effects of climate change unless it takes urgent action to limit global warming by cutting back on burning fossil fuels.
Extreme weather such as floods, heat waves and droughts are expected to become more common while climate change may even worsen the risk of violent conflicts, the report warned
The UN has set a target of limiting global warming to 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels. But the experts said it appears increasingly likely that target will be missed, leading to more severe impacts
Although the new paper gives new hope that the target could be met. But some climate experts urged caution.
Dr Simon Lewis, Reader in Global Change Science at University College London, said: “This study shows, correctly in my view, that photosynthesis is highly responsive to carbon dioxide, but this is far from the only factor amongst many that will impact the forests of the 21st century and how much carbon they store.
“The level and speed of greenhouse gas emissions cuts needed to avoid dangerous levels of climate change are not altered by this new study.”
Prof Peter Cox, Professor of Climate System Dynamics at the University of Exeter, said: “Avoiding two degrees of global warming is a huge challenge for humanity even if this effect is taken into account.”
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