Letter: Food from the global greenhouse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The articles in part three of "Our scorched earth" (2 April) take a very one-sided view of the role of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. There is no mention that carbon dioxide is, with water, the main food of green plants, and that increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air increases the rate of growth of plants.
There is no mention also of the fact that raising temperature in general increases rate of growth. So, although a rise of sea level, if it takes place, would take land out of cultivation, the productivity of the remainder should be increased.
Instead of regarding carbon dioxide as a poison it would be more sensible to try to ascertain what is its optimum concentration in the air. Have we any reason to think that the present level is ideal? Is it not possible that an equilibrium could be struck at a higher level with more production of carbon dioxide being balanced by higher extraction by the quicker-growing plants, producing more food?
Dr Roger James
Southsea, Hampshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments