9.23.2005

Global . . . Fluctuation?

I recently wrote an article questioning whether the rise in hurricane intensity and frequency was caused by global warming. This sparked a lively controversy, so I followed it up with another article. New information has pushed me to write yet a third article, which you will see here. European scientists are concerned that the deadly summer heat wave of 2003 that killed thousands in France and triggered massive forest fires (see image at right) may have accelerated the growing greenhouse gas levels. When the temperature goes up, vegetation withers up and dies. Since plants cycle out the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a loss of plant life means a corresponding increase in CO2. However, other scientists say that this is simply not a problem. The key lies in the specific way that plants absorb CO2. Plants use energy from the sun (photosynthesis) along with soil nutrients to separate CO2 into its constituent elements: oxygen, which is released back into the air for us to breathe, and carbon, which the plant uses to grow. Carbon acts as fuel. The more carbon that is absorbed, the faster plants grow. This means that abnormally high CO2 levels trigger runaway plant growth . . . that in turn synthesizes more carbon dioxide than normal, bringing the levels back down. Story taken from a live radio broadcast on National Public Radio. So it seems like all this hype that environmentalists have been screaming about for decades isn't such a big deal after all. God designed our planet to cope with physical imbalances . . . just the way He wanted it to. In Him, David S. MacMillan III

3 comments:

Silas said...

To me, whatever happens with globe warming is out of our control. We know that the earth might be getting warmer. But we can’t be sure because of the poor testing and recording (according to our standers) done through 1900 down. So my point is, we’re still not sure we have a problem on our hands! Just like in economics, the weather goes through cycles. And every time it does, the depressed and dark minded media goes out of their minds. Billy O Reilly is just one example. The Bible says that the earth is growing older and more broken down every day (I wish I had a ref. here. but I have to run). So if the earth is actually going through a period of breaking down, it still doesn’t shake my faith or view on life.

David S. MacMillan III said...

Romans 8:22

"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

Is that what you were thinking of?

Toad734 said...

So anything that is happening in the environment is Gods fault? I can blame him? Ok, works for me, he’s screwed up enough on this planet already, maybe its time for a break. And tell him to quit putting all that mercury in the ocean; I'm afraid to eat swordfish. Oh and I can do without the smog too.