The reason humans can't impact the CLIMATE with CO2 is because our release of CO2 is miniscule in comparison to the CO2 absorbed and released by for example the oceans due to changes in the sea temperature due to the Sun.
Complete Bullshit. That is the natural carbon circulation. Taking carbon out of the ground and transport it into the atmosphere and the ocean means to enrich the atmosphere and the ocean with additional carbon. Every child understands it.
Even a child can understand that Santa came down the chimney, ate the cookies, drank the milk, and dropped off a load of presents.
CO2 is a trace gas in our atmosphere. Currently around 400 ppmv or 0.04%.
Combustion of fossil fuels accounts for about 5% or so of the total release of CO2 into the atmosphere per year. Natural processes release and absorb many times that per year.
Here's a concept that 'even a child can understand.' If one is protecting oneself from a bullet by hiding behind an armor plate, adding another armor plate does not materially effect the outcome. This principle applies to CO2 as a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere in that the impacts of increasing concentrations of CO2 approach nill. Graphic:
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http://wattsupwiththat.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image002_thumb7.jpg?w=619&h=376 <-
In terms of 'greenhouse gasses' water vapor is the most crucial. The dispute is actually about whether there is a positive or negative feedback loop. Evidence is piling up that those who panic about a positive feedback loop are wrong. Unfortunately, politics has damaged science to the extent that it will be difficult to understand if there is a threat here which is worth the (devastating) sacrifices needed to address it. I lay the blame for this almost completely on the 'warmunista' side of the battle.
Bringing it home:
Coupled with the unavoidable bleak numbers coming out of even the most chicken-little science circles and realities about sizes of economies and such, the best most people can do in terms of justifying specific actions is the claim that such action will make them '
recognized as global leaders in the fight against climate change.' This is what my state of Oregon is claiming as the benefits of charging everyone a few more bucks every time they go to the gas station.
It's pretty nebulous where the money will end up which is most likely be design. Certainly some of it will end up in various green boondoggles as has already been the case. Ultimately what our 'actions' here in the state of Oregon will achieve is to may us '
recognized as world-class chumps.' Oh well. I can afford an extra $0.20/gal for gasoline but I feel for those who are more on-the-edge and cannot. My historically progressive concepts of 'social justice' and long held feelings about progressive/regressive taxation have not changed much so I am opposed to such scammery on multiple levels.
