<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Only if you ignore fossil fuel emissions]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Biodiversivist http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Sun, 28 Jan 2007 03:02:09 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/1 However

Your article does highlight that fact that carbon sinks work. Emissions dominate the discussions, while the importance of carbon sinks tend to be glossed over. Carbon sinks also preserve biodiversity and for that reason should be given more visibility as a way to fight global warming (and I am not talking about running around planting trees in cities).

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

]]> However

Your article does highlight that fact that carbon sinks work. Emissions dominate the discussions, while the importance of carbon sinks tend to be glossed over. Carbon sinks also preserve biodiversity and for that reason should be given more visibility as a way to fight global warming (and I am not talking about running around planting trees in cities).

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

]]> Comment #2 by amazingdrx http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Sun, 28 Jan 2007 03:14:42 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/2 I knew

You were gonna say that bio-d!  The US could become a net carbon sink.

But not with agribizz fuel farming.

Think of our European allies joining in.  with all of the developed world becoming a net carbon sink and encouraging the developing world with trade policy?  Well?  Reverse global climate change from gHGs?

It's possible.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

]]> I knew

You were gonna say that bio-d!  The US could become a net carbon sink.

But not with agribizz fuel farming.

Think of our European allies joining in.  with all of the developed world becoming a net carbon sink and encouraging the developing world with trade policy?  Well?  Reverse global climate change from gHGs?

It's possible.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

]]> Comment #3 by tico89 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:37:06 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/3 Carbon sinks or carbon stinks?

Thanks for a great guide (just discovered it), it's really useful to be able to know in advance what the sceptics are saying and have the answers ready, and so avoid being accused of not knowing what you're talking about.

Well, obviously carbon sinks can offset natural carbon emissions, as they have been doing so to a certain extent for millions of years. In the same way, it seems impossible that people believe they can take on all the emissions pouring out from human sources.

However, with global warming kicking in, and the permafrost starting to melt in areas, exposing more peat bogs and soil, will these carbon sinks still be able to cope with natural emissions?

]]> Carbon sinks or carbon stinks?

Thanks for a great guide (just discovered it), it's really useful to be able to know in advance what the sceptics are saying and have the answers ready, and so avoid being accused of not knowing what you're talking about.

Well, obviously carbon sinks can offset natural carbon emissions, as they have been doing so to a certain extent for millions of years. In the same way, it seems impossible that people believe they can take on all the emissions pouring out from human sources.

However, with global warming kicking in, and the permafrost starting to melt in areas, exposing more peat bogs and soil, will these carbon sinks still be able to cope with natural emissions?

]]> Comment #4 by Biodiversivist http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Sun, 28 Jan 2007 14:41:44 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/4 tico89

That is the big worry. It is called a tipping point, a point of no return, a runaway heat engine.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

]]> tico89

That is the big worry. It is called a tipping point, a point of no return, a runaway heat engine.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

]]> Comment #5 by tuc http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Tue, 24 Jul 2007 06:17:27 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/5 A question of a study regarding U.S. as a CO2 sink

Dear Coby,

First of all, thank you very much for a really great guide, it has helped me a lot (I think Gristmill web pages have had thousands of hits from Finland because of me alone)! There are still some denialists here in Finland, luckily only about 10 % of the population.

However, while arguing about this subject, I saw this research:

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/newrec/2407/tmpl/story.2.html

"The mean atmospheric CO2 concentration on the East Coast has been observed to be lower than that over the Pacific coast. This means that more CO2 is taken up by land ecosystems over the United States than is released by industrial activities."

I know this study is from 1998 and the methodology isn't of accurate nature, but what would be a good response if someone uses this study as an argument that U.S. is a net carbon sink?

Best Greetings

Tuukka Simonen
Finland

Veganism is the best way to cut down emissions. Go vegan!


]]> A question of a study regarding U.S. as a CO2 sink

Dear Coby,

First of all, thank you very much for a really great guide, it has helped me a lot (I think Gristmill web pages have had thousands of hits from Finland because of me alone)! There are still some denialists here in Finland, luckily only about 10 % of the population.

However, while arguing about this subject, I saw this research:

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/newrec/2407/tmpl/story.2.html

"The mean atmospheric CO2 concentration on the East Coast has been observed to be lower than that over the Pacific coast. This means that more CO2 is taken up by land ecosystems over the United States than is released by industrial activities."

I know this study is from 1998 and the methodology isn't of accurate nature, but what would be a good response if someone uses this study as an argument that U.S. is a net carbon sink?

Best Greetings

Tuukka Simonen
Finland

Veganism is the best way to cut down emissions. Go vegan!


]]> Comment #6 by John Sol http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:43:06 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/6 energy imports

Don't forget all those imported goods which cause carbon emissions, and other pollution, in the producing country.

Don't forget the streets!

]]> energy imports

Don't forget all those imported goods which cause carbon emissions, and other pollution, in the producing country.

Don't forget the streets!

]]> Comment #7 by Mostirritatingnewaccoundever http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:33:15 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/7 Carbon sink, more like eco-trash compacter

Its simply a flawed arguement.  But I'll bite.  Say that somehow, the US sucks up more carbon that it spits out (quite the feat, considering only 10% of its forrests are left, and US'ers are responcible for 5% of the worlds population and 25% of the pollution)  That means that everyone else is more of a carbon sink, so no bragging rights.  Then there's the fact that the US is actively trying to make sure that no countries recieve compensation for being a carbon sink from the UN, cuz their afraid of big scary countries like the Congo lording their rainforrests over poor little USA.  Then theres the fact that if it was true, the only environmental contribution that the States has ever given the world is completely co-incidental, un-intentional, and soon to be rectified.  Yup, we should be grateful to the US.  Now we know what BS smells like.

]]> Carbon sink, more like eco-trash compacter

Its simply a flawed arguement.  But I'll bite.  Say that somehow, the US sucks up more carbon that it spits out (quite the feat, considering only 10% of its forrests are left, and US'ers are responcible for 5% of the worlds population and 25% of the pollution)  That means that everyone else is more of a carbon sink, so no bragging rights.  Then there's the fact that the US is actively trying to make sure that no countries recieve compensation for being a carbon sink from the UN, cuz their afraid of big scary countries like the Congo lording their rainforrests over poor little USA.  Then theres the fact that if it was true, the only environmental contribution that the States has ever given the world is completely co-incidental, un-intentional, and soon to be rectified.  Yup, we should be grateful to the US.  Now we know what BS smells like.

]]> Comment #8 by spoon13 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:44:30 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/8 CO 2

considering that CO 2 is only 0.035% of our atmosphere some people surely give it more than its due. if i remember right from school many years ago CO 2 is a very good thing. the more you have the better things grow. that is why greenhouse operators buy it in pressureized tanks and release it into said greenhouses to make their plants grow at rates up to 125 time faster than normal (for our times) outside crops. maybe if we are lucky it will increase a whole bunch then we can feed the starving people in the 3rd world countrys.

spoon13

]]> CO 2

considering that CO 2 is only 0.035% of our atmosphere some people surely give it more than its due. if i remember right from school many years ago CO 2 is a very good thing. the more you have the better things grow. that is why greenhouse operators buy it in pressureized tanks and release it into said greenhouses to make their plants grow at rates up to 125 time faster than normal (for our times) outside crops. maybe if we are lucky it will increase a whole bunch then we can feed the starving people in the 3rd world countrys.

spoon13

]]> Comment #9 by Tasermons Partner http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:59:15 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/9 Uh, no...

...spoon13, increases in CO2 will only benefit plant growth until the decomposition rate catches up with the new production.  Any increase in plant growth, if any, would be short term.

Add to that much of the increase in CO2 is actually due to deforestation and desertification...in other words, a loss of plant biomass.

And in case ya didn't know, CO2 is an acidic substance.  That means that increases in CO2 will result in increasing acidification of water sources and soil...which is also bad for plants.

Also, the fact that much arable farmland may be lost due to changes in climate and sea-level rise.

You're more likely to get a reduction in crop size/quality value as a whole rather than an increase.

considering that CO 2 is only 0.035% of our atmosphere some people surely give it more than its due.

Little amounts of certain substances can do big things.  One wouldn't think that just .03 alcohol level would be much...but it can really ruin your body if you're not careful.

By the way, where did ya get the idea that America is a carbon sink?

]]> Uh, no...

...spoon13, increases in CO2 will only benefit plant growth until the decomposition rate catches up with the new production.  Any increase in plant growth, if any, would be short term.

Add to that much of the increase in CO2 is actually due to deforestation and desertification...in other words, a loss of plant biomass.

And in case ya didn't know, CO2 is an acidic substance.  That means that increases in CO2 will result in increasing acidification of water sources and soil...which is also bad for plants.

Also, the fact that much arable farmland may be lost due to changes in climate and sea-level rise.

You're more likely to get a reduction in crop size/quality value as a whole rather than an increase.

considering that CO 2 is only 0.035% of our atmosphere some people surely give it more than its due.

Little amounts of certain substances can do big things.  One wouldn't think that just .03 alcohol level would be much...but it can really ruin your body if you're not careful.

By the way, where did ya get the idea that America is a carbon sink?

]]> Comment #10 by In the belly http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/ Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:04:05 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/the-us-is-a-net-carbon-sink/10 125 times faster?

Like, seed to seed in one day?

]]> 125 times faster?

Like, seed to seed in one day?

]]>