Did you know only 3% of the earths carbon emissions is caused by Humans...?

Question

The rest is from the river and ocean life..So we could cut our `Carbon Footprint` to zero and hardly make a difference. Proves Climate change happens anyway.
It`s just a way for the Governments to Tax us and Fine us!!

Answer 1

The oceans absorb 90 gigatons of carbon per year, and release 90 gigatons. That's in balance.

The land absorbs 120 gigatons of carbon per year, and releases 120 gigatons. That's in balance.

Human beings release 7 gigatons of carbon per year, and absorb zero. That's not in balance, and that's why the level of CO2 in the air has risen 37% in the last 200 years.

The annual increase in CO2 closely tracks world economic indicators. We know that what we do can and will make a difference. The only question is: how bad will it get before Rush Limbaugh shuts up?

Answer 2

Half of that 3% comes from 6 billion people breathing. Water vapour causes 95% of the greenhouse effect, trace gasses cause 2% and the total CO2 causes 3% of the greenhouse effect. So humans causes 3% X 3% of the total greenhouse effect, this equals 0.09%. So if humans stopped all industrial activity, and stopped breathing, it would hardly make a measurable difference to the greenhouse effect. The total greenhouse effect is only one element in many that make up the global climate picture, so focusing our entire environmental effort on man made CO2 is a complete wast of time and money, and distracts us from dealing with the real problems

Answer 3

Yes but unfortunately what you don't mention is that most of the naturally released levels of carbon dioxide is eventually drawn back into the ecosystem through various chemical processes - the main one being photosynthesis. As we have cut down alot of trees, screwed up alot of algae in the ocean and at the same time increased the carbon output by 3 percent (which is alot really) it means that we've actually created a large imbalance in the system and that it will continue to shift further and further away from its' previous norms.

Think of it this way - human beings need salt in their bodies because they naturally lose it... however if you start drinking loads of salt water it will cause you serious problems because you'll exceed your capacity to get rid of it and it will build up in your system. If you deny that it's a problem and ignore and continue to drink more salt water you'll eventually kill yourself.

You're essentially a guy drinking salt water and saying "But I'm only taking in an extra 3 percent salt!" and on that basis continuing to drink it until you die, all the while laughing at how you've cleverly realised that it's only three percent salt so it certainly can't hurt you... surely... probably..... er right?

Answer 4

Yes. Humans are a speck in the ocean of emissions. A few hundred tons of CO2 sounds scary, but what does that really mean as a 'footprint' - very very little!

Answer 5

Yes...I did know this. However the Earth has its own "immune system" that can only handle so much. Also that 3% is vital. By throwing off the eco sysetm it changes our enviroment and weather which will then cause the Earth to basically contribute in killing its self. It's simular to a human actually. If we get a flu we'll get better, but if you through in an extra additive it turns to pnuemonia, with out proper treatment, you can die. If your immune system is being continually weekend by something such as aids the flu will kill you. Just asit is importand for us to have balance within us as individuals, it is important for the Earth as well.

Answer 6

It wouldn't surprise me at all. In fact there is only 0.04% of Carbon dioxide naturally present in the earths atmosphere. But it's been said that the Volcanoes and other natural occurrences produce a lot more CO2 than people.

Answer 7

Indeed, control and repression are the roots of these modern political drives toward 'green solutions'.

But humans, and the lifestyles they are demanding, the food fuel and living space, have replaced other bio-systems that might perhaps offset or keep in balance these carbon cycles.

Can we seperate the 'human' effect from the 'river and ocean' effect? We cannot doubt the effect our huge populations are having on the oceans, and their animal and plant life. Humans have an effect on almost everything on this planet. We are the earth. Gaia is Gaia.

Answer 8

CO2 Emissions - CO2 Absorption = Net CO2 Increase/Decrease

The "Carbon Footprint" of nature IS roughly zero. The other 97% of the earths carbon emissions are in balance because nature has ways of absorbing CO2.

The human-caused 3% is NOT in balance. That 3% adds up over time, and by many measures, that percentage is going to increase unless someone steps in and caps the emissions or reduces them.

I don't want to be taxed or fined, but as long as there are people (and corporations) who care more about money than the Earth, it seems to me that taxing and fining people is the only way that will get through to them.

Answer 9

You speak sense.

How utterly arrogant of humankind to believe that in a couple of hundred years (since the industrial revolution), they could have a major effect on a planet which has survived many millennia without much help.

This whole thing is an excuse for the control freaks to try and oppress the general populous.

Also, any arguement citing "thousands of scientists" is bogus, because science has been skewed by research grants being at stake.

Answer 10

I'm afraid, it's not enough to just quote figures like 3% etc. You need to provide specific proof. I am proposing we undertake "artificial photosynthesis" as a way of fixing the extra cabon dioxide being produced. Let's start working on that and stop the blame game which is leading us nowhere.