nature bites back

posts about #naturebitesback more →
The Deep-Water Disaster That May Kill Us All

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

jordan.w.s
10/31/08

In reply to The Deep-Water Disaster That May Kill Us All
"Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have reached almost eight times the current level on more than one occasion in Earth's history..."

Excuse me, but what the hell? Does no one else find this interesting?

So let me get this straight. In the past, CO2 levels have been 8 times what they are currently. By 'in the past', I imagine this is referring to 'before the internal combustion engine'.

If levels were eight times in the past what they are now, without the help of humans, why are scientists saying that because the CO2 level has risen by .04 ppm or something like that in the past fifty years, that we're killing the planet?

If the level has been eight times what it is now, and the planet is still here, doesn't that mean that it didn't kill the planet, or even everything on the planet? and that the planet corrected itself?

We humans are so arrogant.
Reply

jordan.w.s was starred jordan.w.s was unstarred

ceilingFANBOY
11/02/08

@jordan.w.s: @HollywoodBob: People don't believe that we are causing global warming. Ok, some people do, but not scientists. They believe that we are affecting global warming. While the CO2 levels have been higher in the past, the difference is the rate at which the CO2 levels have increased. With human impact, amounts of CO2 change that took hundreds of thousands of years happen in hundreds of years. This takes away the ability of the life on the planet to adapt to the changes. It's not the amount of change in the atmosphere that is worrying scientists, it's the rate of change in the atmosphere that is worrying them. This is a problem because we can throw off the balance. It's the reason why Gaia's Principle was revised to say that the Earth self regulates but humans could cause irreversible damage. It is easy to understand why you can consider humans an outside force on Earth despite the fact that we live on the planet because our technology and how it enables us to manipulate our surroundings. Because of our ability to manipulate our surroundings, we have the potential to destroy the natural counterbalances and create an environment that can not repair itself. One of the things that has to be put into consideration when looking at our increase in CO2 emissions is that unless something drastic happens, we are going to continue to take up more and more space on this planet and in the process decrease space for other forms of life.
Reply

ceilingFANBOY was starred ceilingFANBOY was unstarred

Garrison Dean: R.O.A.C.H.
10/31/08

In reply to The Deep-Water Disaster That May Kill Us All
Maybe a strong burst of CO2 will be enough to blow the Planet Killer Meteor off course.
Reply

zenpoet
10/31/08

In reply to The Deep-Water Disaster That May Kill Us All
At least its not a Lylmic explosion, because if that damn Antoning Unifex really wanted to cause us some trouble, it wouldn't be to difficult for him.

On point: that is just a bit too freaky. I am glad that I only have to worry about tornadoes, blizzards, ice storms, floods, and prairie fires here, and not volcanoes or SBD lakes.
Reply

zenpoet was starred zenpoet was unstarred

B1663R
10/31/08

In reply to The Deep-Water Disaster That May Kill Us All
great, just great. if it isn't the terrorists it's these environmental fear-mongering douchebags.

can't i just live out my life in peace?
Reply

B1663R was starred B1663R was unstarred

Annalee Newitz
10/31/08

@B1663R: Everything is peaceful after you breathe carbon dioxide . . .
Reply

Annalee Newitz was starred Annalee Newitz was unstarred

phoenix
10/31/08

@Annalee Newitz: epic win. :D
Reply

phoenix was starred phoenix was unstarred

alchemisto
10/31/08

In reply to The Deep-Water Disaster That May Kill Us All
Ummm... if there's no air, a gas mask isn't going to help you. Unless you have a respirator and a breathing tank lying around...
Reply

alchemisto was starred alchemisto was unstarred

Annalee Newitz
10/31/08

@alchemisto: Maybe an oxygen tank is in order. I am changing it!
Reply

Annalee Newitz was starred Annalee Newitz was unstarred

Gann
10/31/08

@Annalee Newitz: Or an oxygen generator like my grandmother has:

After this mass extinction, the lawn will finally be free of damn kids.
Reply

Gann was starred Gann was unstarred

FREEBS72..The Flying Sumo
10/31/08

In reply to The Deep-Water Disaster That May Kill Us All
wet, silent, and deadly
Reply

Belabras ate my dingo!
10/31/08

@FREEBS72:

I see what you did there.
Reply

FREEBS72..The Flying Sumo
10/31/08

@Belabras:
I swear it wasn't me
Reply

Gann
10/31/08

@FREEBS72: It was the dog.
Reply

Gann was starred Gann was unstarred

Earlier discussions Other discussions Show all discussions Show featured discussions only Start a new discussion

#naturebitesback

io9

SUBSCRIBE TO io9

The Deep-Water Disaster That May Kill Us All

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment