Earlier observations of plant growth spurred by warming temperatures are now staring in the face of a warmer world, which researchers say is hampering plant growth. The study, published in the journal Science, shows an overall decline in plant growth from 2000-2009 because of warming-induced droughts.
As temperatures continue to climb, researchers are raising concern about food security and development of plant-based biofuels. “This is a pretty serious warning that warmer temperatures are not going to endlessly improve plant growth,” said the study’s co-author Steven W. Running of the University of Montana.
As drought caused by warming reduces the land’s ability to take up carbon, the result could be more carbon dioxide left in the atmosphere and thus more warming, explained co-author Maosheng Zhao of the University of Montana.
Their study, based on data collected by satellites, found that while northerly areas experienced some increased plant growth from warmer temperatures, this was more than offset by warming-associated drought in the Southern Hemisphere.
“We see this as a bit of a surprise, and potentially significant on a policy level because previous interpretations suggested global warming might actually help plant growth around the world,” Running said.
A new and interesting development in the field of potential global warming solutions has arisen: a molecule that eats carbon dioxide has been found. A University of Maryland scientist doing research unrelated to global warming made the discovery as he noted that a newly created bowl-shaped molecule was collecting carbon dioxide that was present in the room.
The implications of this discovery are potentially huge. This carbon ‘scrubbing’ molecule may be used in industrial processes to remove CO2 from smoke stacks, or it could potentially be used to simply remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
One interesting implication of this discovery is that it demonstrates the power of science and innovation. A big reason that Carbonfund.org is a big supporter of global warming solutions is because that encourages innovation.
Global warming is potentially the greatest crisis that has ever faced mankind, but with great crisis comes great opportunity. Who knows what will happen when we raise fuel standards — maybe we will accidentally discover a way to make cars go significantly farther on a gallon of gas or discover an algae based biofuel that is cheap and clean. Or maybe there will be a break through in solar technology that enables us to turn every roof into a power generating machine.
In short, who knows? If a scientist in Maryland can accidently discover a molecule that eats CO2, anything can happen. Although it’s too early to determine the future outcomes of this. Let’s continue to provide the motivation and impetus to act and innovate.
