CO2 promotes plant growth

With the recent week of action on climate change some of the older arguments against the negative aspects of climate change have had the dust brushed off and made presentable. Many of these refreshed arguments rely on misunderstanding science, erroneous studies and blatant lies. The very first of these applies to the theory that rising global CO2 is good for nature.

This is a perfect example of a great story having a grain of truth to make it more palatable. It is a well known fact that plants require CO2 to grow. CO2, water and light make plants grow. More CO2 should lead to more growth according to a logical extension of this of this observable fact.

The problem is that the world, nature and the secret life of plants is far more complicated. So complicated that even trying to isolate and understand the effect CO2 has on growth is hard. Mostly because you can not isolate it and apply your findings to the real world.

Fortunately people with too much time on their hands, 20+ years, have been diligently doing the hard work. They have not only found what makes plants grow better when exposed to CO2 but how long it has an effect. The results are disturbing. After 10 years some plants that previously thrived on CO2 begin to slow down.

There are 2 areas of concern. Agriculture which is responsible for your food. Generally covering farms and grazing regions. The other is wild land such as forests, jungles and the ocean. One is supplemented and fertilized. The other is not. This creates a very stark contrast on what happens to the world as plant growth continues exponentially… or at least until the growth is stopped.

Relevant links:

Ask the Experts: Does Rising CO2 Benefit Plants?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ask-the-experts-does-rising-co2-benefit-plants1/

CO2 is making Earth greener—for now
https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2436/co2-is-making-earth-greenerfor-now/

Will rising carbon dioxide levels really boost plant growth?
https://theconversation..