Drilled ice samples have shown that CO2 levels have been higher in the past, but those levels predate humanity.MechAg94 wrote:I believe the ice core samples and other methods have shown that CO2 levels in the past have been much higher than current levels with no ill effects. There is a point where it is bad, but that point is a lot higher than we are sitting now or are likely be.apvonkanel wrote: While these are accurate statements, there are countless chemicals that are safe at minute levels in the human body yet even at sub-percent increases become fatal. We're looking at trace chemical that has increased by more than 1/3 of it's original recorded level. For comparison's sake, we're looking roughly at the equivalent of an ounce of a substance in a 150 lb body.
The biggest issue isn't the current levels, however, it's the constant increase. CO2 in the atmosphere can be looked at similar to lead in the human body with one major exception (more on that in a second). The current levels are not immediately problematic (although many climate scientists disagree), but the rate of increase will bring them to a problematic level. The cumulative effect can EVENTUALLY lead to all the catastrophic issues predicted, but those events are still a long way off. It's reaching the threshold itself that is more immanent, not the effects of reaching that threshold.
The big difference is the fact that we have plant life. Our bodies aren't equipped with "lead scrubbers", but the planet is equipped with CO2 scrubbers. In my belief, it's part of the beauty of God's creation.
I also think the thought process leading to a "climate change hoax" mentality to be shortsighted and dangerously foolish. My grandparents knew their heavy smoking habit and diet was unhealthy. Medical science had not yet progressed to the point that it could nail down the effects of their smoking and eating, and that became a point of contention between the two of them. As a result, my granddad continued a tobacco and eating habits pretty much his whole life, and my grandma stopped decades ago. He died nearly thirty years ago from cardio-pulmonary issues and she's still alive. Now we know exactly what lead to Paw-paw's multiple heart attacks and other issues, but it's too late to do any good. He's passed the point to where he can be convinced. Mimi has continued to make adjustments while still enjoying her bacon, eggs, fried chicken, and ice cream. She just enjoys them in moderation. This example seems to be a very fitting analogy to climate issues. There's obviously change. There are a lot of correlating factors, and some of them the direct cause has been seen. Some of it hasn't. Ignoring it is just plain silly. Then again, ignorance that refuses to change ceases to be only ignorance. At that point it becomes a different problem entirely.