Author
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IDSO, SHERWOOD |
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Submitted to: European Science and Environment Forum
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 9/21/1995 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: There is great concern about the environmental impact of the steadily rising CO2 content of earth's atmosphere. This paper reviews what we know about the direct biological consequences of atmospheric CO2 enrichment for a generally well-educated, but not necessarily scientific, audience. It demonstrates that more CO2 in the air will likely result in more vigorous vegetation and more of it, even in the face of less-than optimal levels of light, water and nutrients. This information is essential to developing informed and rational responses to what is perceived to be one of the major environmental problems of our day. Technical Abstract: There is great concern about the environmental impact of the steadily rising CO2 content of earth's atmosphere. This paper reviews what we know about the direct biological consequences of atmospheric CO2 enrichment for a generally well-educated, but not necessarily scientific, audience. It demonstrates that more CO2 in the air will likely result in more vigorous vegetation and more of it, even in the face of less-than optimal levels of light, water and nutrients. This information is essential to developing informed and rational responses to what is perceived to be one of the major environmental problems of our day. |
