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Ask HN: Now that CO2 levels are down, can we see if CO2 causes global warming?
The Chinese virus caused an almost complete stop of all activities, at a level that would be impossible to achieve in a normal situation.
It's already been noticed that CO2 levels have decreased significantly.
Will we be able to observe temps and see if there is definitely a relation between CO2 and global warming, or will this not be possible?
I would think that this is a one-time opportunity.
- chewz 7y ago> It's already been noticed that CO2 levels have decreased significantly I think CO emissions decreased not CO levels.. So we wont see decreassing temperatures right away..
- nkkollaw 7y agoIs it known how long it takes for CO2 levels to decrease? For instance, if we're supposed to reduce by 50% before 2030, after how many months or years would we notice a difference?
- Someone 7y agoCO2 stays in the atmosphere for centuries (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38136820_Atmospheric_Lifetime_of_Fossil_Fuel_Carbon_Dioxide https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38136820_Atmospheri..., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_in_Earth%27s_atmosphere#Anthropogenic_CO2_emissions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_in_Earth%27s_at...), so a temporary decrease or even a temporary stop will not make much of a dent. I’m sure we will see papers on this, though, just as we saw them after 9/11. Also “if CO2 causes global warming”? I thought that has been established; even the starkest deniers only debate whether human contributions to CO2 emissions make much of an impact.