Magical Life Giving Molecules By William Lama, Ph.D
The story of life begins with carbon (C). Carbon atoms are democratic and faithful. They easily form chemical bonds with other elements, and the resulting molecules are exceedingly stable. In fact, carbon is the foundation of all life on Earth, including plants, animals, and humans. The code of life itself relies on the unique properties of carbon, in combination with hydrogen and oxygen. Every DNA molecule contains the two sugars shown in this figure.
Each sugar is structured around 5 carbon atoms plus hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms. Indeed, we are all carbon-based life forms. Best of Carbon-Based Lifeforms - YouTube
Of course, breathing oxygen molecules (O2) and drinking water molecules (H2O) are essential life processes. It is also essential that we exhale carbon dioxide (CO2). That magical molecule could be called the “key to the benefits package.” It is the essential plant food. Trees love the stuff, as seen in the greening of the Earth from the recent increase of (CO2).
It is disappointing that political arguments led the Environmental Protection Agency to classify CO2 as a pollutant, when it is just the opposite.
In fact, the benefits of carbon dioxide are vast, while the potential harms are minor or non-existent. Three distinguished directors of the CO2 Coalition, Dr. Patrick Michaels, Dr. William Happer and Dr. Bruce Everett, recently presented the case for increasing the level of CO2 at a Princeton seminar. Here is the video.
Why Climate Change is NOT an Emergency - CO2 Coalition
While the effect on the Earth’s temperature of increasing CO2 is minor, the world would be a better place for humans and all life if the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere were doubled. Among the benefits would be a 60-80% increase in fruits, carrots, and beans and a 35% increase in grains. Feeding the poor is a good thing.
The recent increase of CO2 has been great, but the long-term trend is anything but. The following figure shows the falling level of CO2 in the atmosphere over the last 140 million years. Note that the declining level approaches dangerously close to the survival threshold for vegetation. We need the increasing carbon dioxide to avoid a nasty future.
Unfortunately, in the public at large, a broad historical perspective is lacking. In a recent survey of all the rich countries about 60% of respondents said they believe that global warming will lead to the “end of mankind.” Governmental and mass media propaganda has given rise to mass hysteria. But we only need to look at the data to find a completely different picture.
For example, as the CO level has risen over the last century, everyday life has improved and climate related deaths have declined. In 1920 about 500,000 people died each year due to climate disasters. In 2022, that number dropped to about 11,000, a decline of 98%. At the same time the global population increased from 1.9B to 7.8B. Per capita the decrease is 99.5%. Technology makes us safer.
The benefits of carbon dioxide are discussed in the clearly written and beautifully illustrated book Inconvenient Facts by Gregory Wrightstone, executive director of the CO2 Coalition. Here is one contrary fact.
From 1998 to 2012, while the CO2 concentration increased 28 ppm, the temperature has been relatively constant. Clearly CO2 is not controlling the Earth temperature. In fact, declining Solar activity has had a cooling effect. More cooling is expected.
And here are some more inconvenient facts from Greg Wrightstone.
Ø The last interglacial period was 14F warmer than today. The polar bears survived. Greenland did not melt.
Ø We are living in one of the coldest periods in Earth’s history.
Ø Cold kills far more people every year than heat.
Ø The population of polar bears is growing.
Ø Hurricane frequency has been declining for 250 years.
Ø The frequency of tornadoes is decreasing.
Ø Severe droughts and burned areas have been decreasing worldwide.
Ø The oceans did not become acidic at 15 times the current CO2 levels.
Ø Sea level rise has been declinining, to roughly 1.5 mm/year today.
Read the book for the rest of the story.
William Lama has a PhD in theoretical physics from the University of Rochester. He was a college physics professor and a scientist at Xerox Research Labs. He spent his last decade at Xerox managing software and electronics R&D. After retiring he served as Palos Verdes Library trustee for eight years, three as president of the Board. He may be reached at wlama2605@gmail.com.
