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Nasa Happily Reports the Earth Is Greener

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Re: Nasa Happily Reports the Earth Is Greener

#12

Serious question from a non-climate scientist: would an increase in global temperatures due to climate change ultimately cause more greenery, due to new growth in previously too-cold areas?

Well, I don't know about temperature, but we do know that plants grow faster in the presence of excessive CO2. But that's a double-edged sword, because their nutritional value per unit mass goes down, in terms of trace nutrients - with abundant CO2, they can use more air to build more empty carbs, but that means the critical nutrients they pull from the soil are present in lower concentrations.

Re: Nasa Happily Reports the Earth Is Greener

#13
post #7

I don't see how this addresses the issue of deforestation in places like the Amazon. The effect that this "practice" has had on the environment is irreversible at this point. But to each his own. Any positive news regarding the environment are always welcome.

Especially with Brazil's fascist[1] new president, Jair Bolsonaro, making moves to destroy the amazon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/brazils-bo... [1] Not an exaggeration. https://www.thenation.com/article/a-genuine-fascist-is-on-th...

I don’t think being a fascist has anything to do with deforestation. There’s a history of fascists wanting to preserve the “motherland”. Even views such as ecofascism as portrayed in Linkola’s Can Life Prevail?

I only care about ecologically minded governments and I don’t care about left or right. It’s the only important issue at this point.

Re: Nasa Happily Reports the Earth Is Greener

#14

Serious question from a non-climate scientist: would an increase in global temperatures due to climate change ultimately cause more greenery, due to new growth in previously too-cold areas?

Most climate models take that into account, from what I've heard. It's not enough to mitigate the rising temperatures, though.

Re: Nasa Happily Reports the Earth Is Greener

#17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Especially with Brazil's fascist[1] new president, Jair Bolsonaro, making moves to destroy the amazon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/brazils-bo... [1] Not an exaggeration. https://www.thenation.com/article/a-genuine-fascist-is-on-th...

I don’t think being a fascist has anything to do with deforestation. There’s a history of fascists wanting to preserve the “motherland”. Even views such as ecofascism as portrayed in Linkola’s Can Life Prevail? I only care about ecologically minded governments and I don’t care about left or right. It’s the only important issue at this point.

>I only care about ecology minded governments and I don’t care about left or right. It’s the only important issue at this point.

This is a rather strong statement given that it comes right after a recognition that fascist governments have historically had some ecologically friendly ideals. Are we talking about accepting literal genocide? Like, if we don't take care of the environment then everybody dies, so a fascist dictator who systematically wipes out an ethnic minority but also drastically cuts carbon emissions and restores a rainforest is a net-win? I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, I'm genuinely curious if that's what you're talking about, or if I'm parsing unintended meaning in your comment. I could see it either way.

Re: Nasa Happily Reports the Earth Is Greener

#18
From what I understand, the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide will have a massive greening effect on the Earth (plants love CO2). But it seems this fact is usually omitted so as not to complicate the intended message. I always found it ironic that the "eco" mode button in many cars is a leaf icon.

Re: Nasa Happily Reports the Earth Is Greener

#19
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Especially with Brazil's fascist[1] new president, Jair Bolsonaro, making moves to destroy the amazon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/brazils-bo... [1] Not an exaggeration. https://www.thenation.com/article/a-genuine-fascist-is-on-th...

technically, we have no stand to blame them on developing their economy...

Here's a fun thought: they could hold the rainforest hostage. Hey world that relies on our land to absorb carbon, we're gonna start deforesting and developing x acres per year unless you pay us y dollars not to. Nice biosphere you've got here, it'd be a shame if somebody threw a brick through the equilibrium...

Re: Nasa Happily Reports the Earth Is Greener

#20

From what I understand, the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide will have a massive greening effect on the Earth (plants love CO2). But it seems this fact is usually omitted so as not to complicate the intended message. I always found it ironic that the "eco" mode button in many cars is a leaf icon.

It's not a slam dunk that more CO2 == good for plants.

As per https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2017/09/13/food-nutrie...

> As best scientists can tell, this is what happens: Rising CO2 revs up photosynthesis, the process that helps plants transform sunlight to food. This makes plants grow, but it also leads them to pack in more carbohydrates like glucose at the expense of other nutrients that we depend on, like protein, iron and zinc.

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