Human exhalations are contributing to the ongoing increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels that are driving climate change, according to a new study released today from the University of Northwest Florida (UNWF).
The four-year-long study by atmospheric scientist Lawrence Meany concluded that human respiration and conversation could be responsible for up to 12 percent of the greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere every year. And, Meany discovered, that percentage appears to be growing.
“At current global population growth levels — about 77 million people per year — the contribution of human exhalations to carbon dioxide concentrations could reach 15 percent by 2025,” Meany said. “Such rising impacts from basic human physical activity suggest the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) might have vastly underestimated future projections of greenhouse gas levels.”
Ironically, Meany further noted, the IPCC’s continued efforts to negotiate a global successor to the Kyoto Protocol are actually themselve contributing to rising amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
“It’s always been a cliche that politicians, and sometimes scientists too, are full of hot air,” Meany said. “Unfortunately, my findings indicate this is, in fact, literally true.”
Oh, and by the way … April Fool’s!
Hey thanks for the great blog, I love this stuff. I don’t usually do much for Earth Day but with everyone going green these days, I thought I’d try to do my part.
I am trying to find easy, simple things I can do to help stop global warming (I don’t plan on buying a hybrid). Has anyone seen that http://www.EarthLab.com is promoting their Earth Day (month) challenge, with the goal to get 1 million people to take their carbon footprint test in April?… I took the test, it was easy and only took me about 2 minutes and I am planning on lowering my score with some of their tips.
I am looking for more easy fun stuff to do. If you know of any other sites worth my time let me know.
Heh! Very funny, and you almost had me convinced 😉 Of course, as the Human population increases, one would expect an increase in exhaled CO2. But there is certainly no argument that some of us exhale more than others }:-)