THE GREEN PLANET BLOG - Our World and Environment...

All about conservation, ecology, the environment, climate change, global warming, earth- watch, and new technologies etc.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Flora growing at an increased rate because of carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere...



Scientists claim trees and plants are growing bigger and faster in response to the billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere in recent decades.

This increased growth was found in a variety of flora, ranging from tropical rain forests to British sugar beet crops. It means they are soaking up at least some of CO2, that would otherwise be accelerating the rate of climate change, and suggests the potential for higher crop yields in the future.

Some researchers believe this phenomenon could be buying humanity some extra time in which it can try and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions. Few doubt it will be more than just a temporary reprieve for humanity.

Professor Martin Parry, head of plant science at Rothamstead Research, Britain's leading crop research institute, reportedly said "there is no doubt that the enrichment of the air with CO2, is increasing plant growth in many areas".

But plants won't be able to keep up with the increase in time, only just a fraction of it. Then our problems will really begin, unless...

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