In a recent letter to the editor in the Everett Herald, the author claims that because plants need carbon to function it is insane to be attempting to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. They detail the delicate balance between plants that take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen and animals that take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. So far, so good. But then they say that reducing carbon will reduce the plant population since photosynthesis will be restricted - this is where I have to disagree.
In order for plants to grow, they need 17 nutrients that come from the soil and 3 that come from the atmosphere. As for the ones that come from the ground, if any of them are in too short of supply, then the plant growth will be impacted. This is exactly why we add fertilizers to the soil. But in the case of atmospheric nutrients (i.e., carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen), none of these have ever been low enough to retard plant growth, even in pre-industrial times when carbon levels were significantly lower than they are today.
It would seem that the higher the carbon dioxide concentration is in the atmosphere, the faster photosynthesis would occur and consequently the faster plants would grow. In fact, sometimes in commercial greenhouses growers will pump in additional carbon dioxide to increase growth rates, but for the most part existing levels seem to be adequate to support plant growth. In other words, even if we were able to reduce carbon dioxide levels to pre-industrial times, we would not have any negative impacts on plant growth.
The current problem with carbon dioxide is that we are returning far more to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (which by the way is not a “natural process” like volcanic activity) than plants can remove through the process of photosynthesis. Consequently, concentrations are increasing which, because of the ability of carbon dioxide to absorb and radiate heat, is causing the atmosphere to heat up. Reducing carbon dioxide has nothing to do with limiting photosynthesis and everything to do with managing global temperatures. As the temperatures rise, we will continue to see more and more extreme weather events - the results of which will reduce plant growth far more than any reduction of carbon dioxide.
According to an article titled “Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide” by Rebecca Lindsey, May 12, 2023, “Carbon dioxide levels today are higher than at any point in human history. In fact, the last time atmospheric carbon dioxide amounts were this high was more than 3 million years ago, during the Mid-Pliocene Warm Period, when global surface temperature was 4.5–7.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5–4 degrees Celsius) warmer than during the pre-industrial era. Sea level was at least 16 feet higher than it was in 1900 and possibly as much as 82 feet higher.” We are already seeing significant rises in sea levels. It is only going to get worse.
Carbon is indeed an essential element that is needed for plants to grow and is also critical in keeping our beautiful little planet from turning back into an ice cube. But there can be “too much of a good thing” and that is exactly where we seem to be currently. It’s time, actually it is past time, that we all took this global warming thing to heart, and take steps to help reduce our carbon output, no matter how it might affect our lifestyles. We can also help the cause by planting more shrubs, trees, and flowers, that through the miraculous process of photosynthesis, will help absorb excess carbon dioxide. Every little bit helps!
