Utah State Rep Argues That Plants Need More CO2; Bill Would Block Any Regulation @ Less Than 500 ppm

[hatrack]

EDIT

Anderson’s bill would prevent the establishment of state standards for carbon dioxide below atmospheric concentrations of 500 parts per million. This is a level far above what is currently in the atmosphere, already padded with carbon thanks to two centuries of fossil-fuel burning.

"We are short of carbon dioxide for the needs of the plants," Anderson, a retired science teacher, told the committee overseeing environmental programs in the the state on Tuesday. "Concentrations reached 600 parts per million at the time of the dinosaurs and they did quite well. I think we could double the carbon dioxide and not have any adverse effects."

Such claims are at odds with credible climate science, according to Joe Andrade, a retired University of Utah engineering professor. Carbon levels at 500 ppm would warm the planet and acidify the oceans to a devastating degree, he said.

"We are on a path to double the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere since we started burning fossil fuels. We can all see the chaotic weather that it has already produced," Andrade said. "It’s not toxic to you and me below concentrations of 1,000 or 2,000 [parts per million], but it’s toxic to this planet. Setting an arbitrary upper limit, that is out of the bounds of anything related to planetary stability, is simply bad government."

EDIT

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/57562425-90/anderson-andrade-atmosphere-carbon.html.csp

[gtar100]

1. Geez, all he has to do is look out the window to see the fallacy of his argument.

Isn't it amazing how people who are bought off by money say such stupid things. Sadly these kind of people are the ones attracted to run for office.

[Nihil]

2. "a retired science teacher"

Sigh.

[stuntcat]

3. that's my species!!

And while ago I learned some more about what we do to each other in N Korea!!

I can't believe I have to watch 4 more fucking decades of this shit!!!!!!