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| - Last Updated on September 11, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A Facebook post claims that more carbon dioxide leads to more plants, and eventually more oxygen. We did the fact check to term this as Mostly False.
The Claim
A post shared on Facebook suggests that more carbon dioxide (CO2) leads to more plant growth, and this results in more oxygen. The post caption reads: “The more carbon dioxide you have, the more plants you have. The more plants you have, the more oxygen you have.”
Fact Check
Does more CO2 increase plant growth?
Yes, carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis. It is the process where plants convert sunlight and CO2 into energy. Studies show that higher CO2 levels can boost plant growth, especially in short-term conditions. This is known as the CO2 fertilisation effect.
However, this effect is not as straightforward as the claim makes it sound.
A study published in Nature Climate Change in 2016 highlighted that some regions of the planet have seen increased greenery. But, the benefits of extra CO2 to plants are limited. Over time, plants adapt to higher CO2 levels, and other factors like nutrient availability, especially nitrogen, limit their growth.
In India, where agriculture plays a huge role in the economy, increased CO2 might initially seem beneficial for crops. However, crops need more than just CO2. Water, soil quality, and temperatures also play a vital role. If temperatures rise too much or rainfall patterns change due to climate change, the negative effects on plants could outweigh the benefits of higher CO2 levels. Unfortunately, there aren’t strong climate change control measures in place, especially in India. Some people link faith with climate change, suggesting that Ganga Aarti is a solution to climate change. But, it’s misleading, similar to this claim.
Can more CO2 increase oxygen levels?
This part of the claim is false. The claim that more CO2 leads to more oxygen is misleading because it oversimplifies how oxygen is produced and used on Earth.
When fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are burned, carbon atoms bond with oxygen atoms to form carbon dioxide (CO2). This actually reduces the amount of free oxygen in the atmosphere. Scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography have measured small declines in global oxygen levels over recent decades. This is mainly because of the increased burning of fossil fuels.
Plants do release oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis. However, the extra CO2 in the atmosphere is not creating an oxygen surplus. In fact, oxygen levels are decreasing slightly. The decline is not enough to affect humans directly, but it shows that rising CO2 levels do not increase atmospheric oxygen, as the claim suggests.
Does more CO2 always benefit plants?
Not necessarily. Although CO2 can increase plant growth initially, it has long-term negative impacts. Higher CO2 can disrupt the balance of ecosystems, leading to problems such as:
- Imbalance between plants: In tropical forests, for example, fast-growing vines like lianas benefit from extra CO2 and outcompete trees. This reduces overall forest productivity and carbon storage.
- Impact on nutrition: Research shows that higher CO2 can reduce the ability of plants to absorb nutrients like nitrogen. This makes their health weaker and reduces their nutritional value. In a country like India, where millions depend on agriculture for food and livelihood, any reduction in crop quality can have serious consequences.
- Climate change effects: Rising CO2 levels are also driving climate change. As temperatures rise, certain plant species may struggle to survive. Extreme heat, changes in rainfall, and more frequent droughts can damage crops and forests.
For instance, research from 2022 warned that plants in colder regions are approaching a ‘temperature tipping point.’ Beyond this point, any further increase in temperature would damage their ability to photosynthesise, reversing the benefits of CO2 fertilisation. Despite this, some people still claim that climate change is not happening, even though its catastrophic effects are clearly visible.
Are there downsides to more CO2 for plants?
Yes, there are several limitations to the positive effects of increased CO2 on plant life. CO2 can enhance photosynthesis, but other factors like rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns play an important role in plant growth.
Satellite data shows that plants in the northern hemisphere absorbed more CO2 during early summer (spring) between 1985 and 2002, but after 1994, they stopped absorbing more CO2 in late summer. This is likely because hotter, drier summers reduced how much CO2 plants could take in. This shows that warmer weather doesn’t always help plants grow better, even in colder regions, as heat and drought can cancel out the benefits of extra CO2.
What about the role of oceans in oxygen levels?
Oceans also play a vital role in regulating oxygen levels on Earth. They absorb CO2 and produce oxygen through marine life. But, rising CO2 levels are warming the oceans, which reduces their capacity to hold dissolved oxygen. This is leading to deoxygenation of the oceans.
In India, where coastal regions are home to rich marine biodiversity and fisheries, ocean warming and deoxygenation can harm livelihoods and food security. The loss of oxygen in the ocean makes it harder for fish to survive and thrive. Some people also claim that NASA suggests man-made climate change is fake. But, this isn’t true.
Is the claim that more CO2 means more plants scientifically sound?
No, the claim oversimplifies the relationship between carbon dioxide, plants, and oxygen. It is true that CO2 is vital for plant growth, but excessive CO2 can harm plant health and ecosystem balance. The idea that more CO2 will always lead to more oxygen is misleading. In reality, oxygen levels are decreasing due to fossil fuel burning and ocean warming.
Even though some people in climate-sceptic groups may argue that more CO2 is good for plants, this only tells half the story. Scientists continue to show that the current rate of CO2 increase has damaging effects on both plant growth and oxygen levels.
THIP Media Take
The claim that more carbon dioxide directly leads to more plants and more oxygen is misleading and largely false. CO2 does enhance photosynthesis and plant growth, but there are significant limitations. Over time, the effects of CO2 fertilisation decline, and rising CO2 levels can harm plant ecosystems and reduce oxygen in the atmosphere.
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