From: Michael S. Lorrey (mike@lorrey.com)
Date: Sun Aug 01 1999 - 20:08:11 MDT
Arla Johnson wrote:
>
> There is much debate over the appropriate co2 content of the atmosphere.
>
> No one that I know of has ever questioned the impact of both human and
> natural activities on the world's OXYGEN supply. After all 6 billion or
> so can
> live in a primordial swamp with oodles of co2 but we haven't any
> personal
> oxygen generators handy if the Oxygen begins to drop off.
>
> I have occaisionally looked for comparisons of modern and ancient oxygen
>
> measurements but have come up empty.
>
> Anybody have an idea about where or who has good documentation of this?
>
The oxygen in the atmosphere has been relatively constant since the
Cambrian explosion. It is not a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse effects are
far more dependent on methane and propane levels in the atmosphere than
in the carbon dioxide level. This is why, despite there being a three to
four times higher level of CO2 today than at any other period we have
data on, we are not roasting like hot cakes. There has been a widespread
decrease in the population of ungulates in the world (i.e. cows, moose,
etc.) and natural fossil fuel seeps have all but dissapeared due to
industrial exploitation. Additionally, consider that the sun's flux
levels have been increasing over the last 20 years as part of a natural
cycle.
Mike Lorrey
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