pstarr wrote:There is good science on the effects of CO2 enhancement on plant growth. I've linked to the study several times, experiments showing significant increased nutrient intake and plant grow at enhanced CO2 4X atmosphere. Plants were submitted to identical sunlight, soil, temperature, and water. The only variation was CO2, the experimental plants were bathed in 1,200 ppm while the control group remained at atmospheric levels.
So perhaps we won't see accelerated CO2 uptake and planetary plant growth until atmospheric levels are much greater? Why would the Jurassic period show such lush plant growth at 3,000+ ppm and not this upcoming period? Is it necessary to be pessimistic about the outcome? Peak oil and the end of civilization is enough gloom for one day? Do we have to burn the entire planet with our ruminations lol
This thinking does not seem very rigorous. Increasing CO2 in greenhouse situations is a technique to enhance plant growth in a controlled setting. There is no reason to believe it will translate to the environment at large. As you note, temperatures and moisture were controlled. Secondly, I really wonder how accurate a picture of the Jurassic period we have. No one has actually seen the Jurassic period, despite the very clever deductions that are made from the fossil record. I find theories about the geologic past to be fascinating, but if we are to be skeptical of climate science it seems that paleontology is not the best source for contrary evidence. Besides, I recall an article saying the lack of fossils from equatorial regions is because nothing could live there -- it was too hot and dry. So far the thread shows that plant growth is not increasing as much as might be expected from more CO2.