Eric Jacobsen <[email protected]> wrote:
(snip)

> In the earth's past history, long before industrialization, atmospheric
> CO2 levels were far higher than they are now. From that standpoint
> we've a long, long way to go until there is an "excess" of CO2.

> When human-caused CO2 emission rates get comparable to historical
> emission rates of natural sources like volcanoes, fires, animals, etc.,
> I might start to get worried. Until then I'll worry about NOx
> emissions, which appear to be far more harmful and can more readily be
> blamed on human activity. Why CO2 is being used as a distraction is a
> question that has been on my mind for a long time.

CO2 has a long life in the atmosphere. Many other gases have a higher
greenhouse effect, but stay up for a shorter time. The more reactive
they are, the faster they turn into something else. NOx are fairly
reactive and many are water soluble, cause for acid rain. So, short
term NOx is important, which is why California worries about it.

The CO2 time constant for equilibrium between atmosphere and ocean
is about 1000 years. It is a dynamic equilibrium, with much going
in and much coming out every year, which complicates the calculation
of the rate of increase in the atmosphere.

It is easy to think that a little CO2 won't do much, but about four
tanks of gas in your car produces a ton of CO2. Tons per person
per year. Billions of cars, billions of tons. Then add power
plants, billions of tons more.

-- glen