Climate change: let’s not be too extreme

THE amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere is the subject of much debate.

What is not in question is that without it the earth would be a much colder and maybe an unhabitable place. Humans, plants, animals and the oceans all emit or absorb carbon dioxide as part of the life cycle.

The levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere must have fluctuated previously as we have had a number of ice ages, including a mini-ice age 300 years ago. If we were artificially to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at the same time as an imminent natural downturn, we could be in difficulty.

The oceans and weathering of our rocky land masses tend to absorb carbon dioxide — the latter can be a more significant factor given the right geological inputs. Efforts to sort out global warming must take into account the unwanted side-effects on the planet. Without some ‘greenhouse’ effect we cannot exist and it would be ironic if we damaged our future with geo-engineering.

John Jordan

1 Cathedral Walk

Cloyne

Co Cork