Are there hidden benefits to climate change that people don’t talk about? More specifically, what’s the actual science behind the common suggestion by some that CO2 is plant food, and therefore more of it is good, not bad? Let’s discuss.

The Mallen Baker Show is aimed at all people who see themselves as change makers, with commentary on issues and change movements with a particular focus on climate change and environment, social issues, free speech and corporate social responsibility.

UPDATE 25th Feb 2020.

@SwiftlyTiltingPlanet drew my attention to the fact that NASA released an updated analysis of the 'planet greening' story, which concluded that large scale tree planting and agriculture in China and India, are responsible for one-third of the extra greening identified by satellite imagery. See the paper referenced here: [ Ссылка ] and an article in Forbes talking about it here: [ Ссылка ]. The remainder of the effect is still believed to have been driven by CO2 fertilisation / climate change as discussed in the video.

UPDATE 14th May 2020

A new paper came out recently which suggested the quantity of greening has been slightly more than previously thought. This article (with a link to the original paper) gives an overview. [ Ссылка ]


References and Links

NASA story about the greening of the Earth from CO2, inc. quote from Philippe Ciais
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New York Times piece on greening
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CO2 enhanced trials using FACE method
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‘CO2 enhancement of forest productivity constrained by limited nitrogen availability’, Norby et al 2010
[ Ссылка ]

Scientific American article, including quote from Samuel Myers
[ Ссылка ]

Samuel Myers paper on zinc deficiency
[ Ссылка ]00093-5/fulltext

Photosynthesis response of C4 plants significantly less than C3, possible minor benefit in water retention
[ Ссылка ]

Optimum temperatures for different types of crops
[ Ссылка ]

Source for projected crop yields under 1.5 and 2.0 scenarios.
[ Ссылка ]

Shoot the dog trick video
[ Ссылка ]

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