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> since higher CO2 means plants can keep their stomata closed more [e.g. 5] And that apparent silver lining's actually got a downside, too. Plants working hard
by skosch 8y ago
> since higher CO2 means plants can keep their stomata closed more [e.g. 5]
And that apparent silver lining's actually got a downside, too. Plants working hard to draw up water is a Good Thing, because that water is the only source of nitrogen and other elements needed to make proteins and vitamins.
CO2 just gets turned into carbs; it makes plants grow big and tall but less nutritious. This won't be a problem for us overfed gluttons in the West, but it is going to exacerbate malnutrition issues in poorer regions of the world.
See e.g.:
https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/effects-of-rising-atmospheric-concentrations-of-carbon-13254108 https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/effects-of...
http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/5/eaaq1012 http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/5/eaaq1012
- cbkeller 8y agoWoah, I learned something today! Nice references.