Is CO2 a pollutant?

[Chris F]

As raised on the Red Diesel thread. Some saying it is, some saying it isn’t.

Farmers probably have an interesting view on this. As without it, we are all out of business (oh and we all die).

 

[bovrill]

Considering that a couple of centuries ago we were nearly down to a level of CO2 in the air that would have meant that life as we know it couldn't have survived another ice age, because the vast majority of it has been removed from the atmosphere and locked up in calcium carbonate over time, I'd say it's the complete opposite of a pollutant.

 

[Farmer1001]

As raised on the Red Diesel thread. Some saying it is, some saying it isn’t.

Farmers probably have an interesting view on this. As without it, we are all out of business (oh and we all die).

Oh god not another two answer option to solve a complex and serious subject. I’m out...

 

[Goweresque]

Of course its not a pollutant, its a fundamental part of the Carbon Cycle, the basic system of life on planet Earth. We and every living thing on the planet are carbon based lifeforms, without carbon no life exists.

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

It depends on the definition of a pollutant. Anything can kill either in excess or shortage, only the dose rate makes it safe.

 

[Dry Rot]

Of course its not a pollutant, its a fundamental part of the Carbon Cycle, the basic system of life on planet Earth. We and every living thing on the planet are carbon based lifeforms, without carbon no life exists.

Wot? Not even vegans?

 

[Gong Farmer]

It depends on the definition of a pollutant. Anything can kill either in excess or shortage, only the dose rate makes it safe.

This. Everything in moderation. It's just plant food, though.

 

[Clive]

before answering this is anyone who says it’s not saying that the NFU nett zero ambition is a ............. scam ?

ohhh ! that would be big news

 

[Clive]

Edited for you Clive so as to make sense - Before answering this, is anyone who says its not, actually then saying the NFU nett zero ambition is a scam?

thanks, better english than mine but asks the same question


my point being if farmers REALLY believe CO2 is not a pollutant or contributing to climate change then why are they allowing their leaders to. commit then to what will be drastic, production shifting changes in attempt to reduce it ?

 

[Campani]

I love CO2. Cant get enough of it. Put a diesel generator in the living room so I can breath in those sweet sweet fumes. ?

 

[renewablejohn]

I love CO2. Cant get enough of it. Put a diesel generator in the living room so I can breath in those sweet sweet fumes. ?

But put it in my polytunnel and the plants love it.

 

[Campani]

But put it in my polytunnel and the plants love it.

Plants also love nitrogen doesnt mean it's not a pollutant.

 

[deleted user 837354]

before answering this is anyone who says it’s not saying that the NFU nett zero ambition is a ............. scam ?

ohhh ! that would be big news

If the NFU believe the UK industry can be carbon neutral any time soon they are high.

 

[Chris F]

Oh god not another two answer option to solve a complex and serious subject. I’m out...

There are only two answers to this. You either think it is or it isn't.

Quite agree its a massive subject after that. However, surely, your answer to the first question dictates how you will see the rest of the discussion.

 

[Chris F]

If the NFU believe the UK industry can be carbon neutral any time soon they are high.

Actually, from all the talks I have heard, its quite straightforward for livestock. 2025 would be quite easy.

However, I've yet to hear a speaker say anything like this for arable.

 

[Muddyroads]

My wife is an IT manager for the council. Their office CO2 levels are far above the recommended levels, so in that case it’s a pollutant.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Actually, from all the talks I have heard, its quite straightforward for livestock. 2025 would be quite easy.

However, I've yet to hear a speaker say anything like this for arable.

The equation in a lot more complex than that and it is disingenuous to claim otherwise.

I'm not even sure the CO2 is the biggest issue facing mankind/the industry as it stands. Currently we have a vast appetite for thinks like Palm Kernel, plastics and other materials which are causing untold environmental damage and these problems could be solved instantly if the will existed...

 

[Two Tone]

The Earth was formed 4,5 billion years ago as a ball of Gasses

As it cooled, many of the gasses condensed into liquids and the liquid rocks turned into solids
By about 3.8 billion yeas ago it had cooled enough for the water vapour (The ultimate/worst GHG there is!) to have turned from a gas into a liquid and formed the oceans.

About 4.5 billion yeas ago, early plant life developed that photosynthesised by using Sunlight, water and CO2 to create Plant Carbohydrate and Oxygen.

Photosynthesis has since then helped reduce the CO2 in our Atmosphere to 400ppm, being 0.04 %. (Oxygen is now 20%)
All life needs Oxygen to live, yet it is Oxygen that will eventually kill us as we oxidise (decay/rot).
Breathing pure Oxygen accelerates this.
We can live/breath with CO2 levels of up to about 10% before it becomes toxic to us.


I put this on another post, but it’s worth mentioning again:
The way many people talk, you’d think CO2 is a major proportion of our Atmosphere.
It is only 400ppm, which is 0.04%.
There have not been a million days since Jesus was born. In fact, less than 3/4 of a million, it being 737,873 days as of today 8/3/2020.
If we express that concentration of CO2 in all the days/weeks/months/years of the 2020 years since Jesus was born, today it is just 295 days!

That in date form is 22nd October in the Year 0001!
(there being no year 0000, as we jumped from 1BC to 1AD).

In other words TINY!


It amazes me that our plants are efficient enough to extract this tiny amount of CO2 from our atmosphere to create ALL the food we eat!

Far from being a pollutant, CO2 is essential to all life on this planet.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

It depends on the definition of a pollutant. Anything can kill either in excess or shortage, only the dose rate makes it safe.

This.
Majority of things we wouldn't argue are pollutants are found in the natural environment.
It's the concentration and/ or the distribution/ location that makes something a pollutant.

 

[Fish]

The Earth was formed 800 million years ago as a ball of Gas

As it cooled, many of the gasses condensed into liquids and the liquid rocks turned into solids
By about 250 million yeas ago it had cooled enough for the water vapour (The ultimate/worst GHG there is!) to have turned from a gas into a liquid and formed the oceans.
The atmosphere at that time was 78%Nitrogen, 21% CO2 and 1% other gasses
About 200 Million yeas ago, early plant life developed that photosynthesised by using Sunlight and CO2 to create Plant Carbohydrate and Oxygen.

Photosynthesis has since then helped reduce the CO2 in our Atmosphere to 400ppm, being 0.04 %. (Oxygen is now 20%)
Animal life needs Oxygen to live, yet it is Oxygen that will eventually kill us as we oxidise (decay/rot).
Breathing pure Oxygen accelerates this.
We can live/breath with CO2 levels of up to about 10% before it becomes toxic to us.


I put this on another post, but it’s worth mentioning again:
The way many people talk, you’d think CO2 is a major proportion of our Atmosphere.
It is only 400ppm, which is 0.04%.
There have not been a million days since Jesus was born. In fact, less than 3/4 of a million, it being 737,873 days as of today 8/3/2020.
If we express that concentration of CO2 in all the days/weeks/months/years of the 2020 years since Jesus was born, today it is just 295 days!

That in date form is 22nd October in the Year 0001!
(there being no year 0000, as we jumped from 1BC to 1AD).

In other words TINY!


It amazes me that our plants are efficient enough to extract this tiny amount of CO2 from our atmosphere to create ALL the food we eat!

Far from being a pollutant, CO2 is essential to all life on this planet.

I think you may find the earth is around 4.5 billion years old.