Climate change: IPCC report is 'code red for humanity'

Re:Climate change: IPCC report is 'code red for humanity' by wongarsu on Monday August 09, 2021 @09:05AM (#28116256)

To offset our entire current greenhouse gas emissions with trees alone, we would have to increase earth's total plant biomass by 10% each year.

Given how slow most types of trees grow that seems completely unfeasible unless we give up most meat (taking space that we now use for growing animal feed).

(Yes, we have a lot of space in the desert, but studies show limited effect on global warming from planting anything there once you account for how well sand reflects heat back into space).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Climate change: IPCC report is 'code red for humanity' by emacsen on Monday August 09, 2021 @01:46PM (#28119896)

> taking space that we now use for growing animal feed

There was a recent Youtube video that explained how this isn't quite accurate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGG-A80Tl5g

I'll save you the time (though you should watch it).

1. Much of the animal feed comes from agricultural byproducts. As an example, we eat corn on the cob, but much of the corn stalk is inedible to humans, but can be made into products for animals.

2. Much of the land used for animals is not suitable for growing crops. Some is, but it's not a 1:1 swapability factor.

[ Parent | on HN ]