When calculating the Co2 in atmosphere, do they allow for what we breath out?

Question

If plants provide us with Oxygen then we must provide a lot of Carbon Dioxide and especialy, with the world population growing.
Thanks

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are measured directly, not calculated.

On a related subject, however, I'm sure I once heard that a cow farting produces as much CO2 as a short journey in a petrol-driven moter vehicle.

Answer 2

They don't need to. It balances with what the plants we eat collected up from the atmosphere a few days/weeks ago. It's only when we start pumping out carbon that was trapped millions of years ago (fossil fuels) that there is a problem because we are releasing it a lot faster than it was trapped so the amount in the atmosphere goes up.
The world population growing and becoming more affluent is a problem because of what we burn, not what we eat and breathe out.

Answer 3

So far the plants have done a great job. I did work in a job around lots of CO2 . The co. provided an instrument to measure the CO2 in case of a leak etc. I calibrated it regular and the highest I ever read was 2 parts per million. Have never Sean any increase in CO2 .

Answer 4

Well.. as anyone would know.. it is IMPOSSIBLE to measure with any degree of accuracy the amount of carbon dioxide in the air at any one time.. but the calculations you would be referring to is just a general educated guess taking ALL things into consideration.

Answer 5

CO2 can be measured directly by just putting a sensor out there in the air. All the CO2 in the air includes the CO2 we breath out so yes, it is taken into account.

Answer 6

Gosh. We never thought of that! Lets all hold our breath and save the planet.