Are Volcanic Emissions Really Greater Than Man-Made Greenhouse Gases?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Volcanic emissions of greenhouse gases, specifically CO2, are approximately 1% of anthropogenic emissions, debunking the claim that volcanic eruptions release more greenhouse gases than human activities since the Industrial Revolution. While volcanoes have been active for millions of years, their contribution to current atmospheric CO2 levels is negligible compared to human emissions. The discussion highlights the misuse of volcanic emissions data by climate change skeptics, emphasizing that the scientific consensus supports the significant impact of human-induced greenhouse gases on global warming.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of greenhouse gas emissions and their sources
  • Familiarity with the concept of anthropogenic climate change
  • Knowledge of volcanic activity and its environmental impact
  • Awareness of common climate change arguments and counterarguments
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of volcanic emissions in climate science, focusing on the report from the British Geological Survey
  • Study the mechanisms of greenhouse gas effects, particularly the positive feedback loops in climate models
  • Examine the historical context of CO2 emissions from both natural and anthropogenic sources
  • Explore resources that debunk common climate change skepticism arguments, such as those found on Gristmill
USEFUL FOR

Climate scientists, environmental policy makers, educators, and anyone seeking to understand the comparative impacts of natural versus human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

OSalcido
Messages
66
Reaction score
0
is it true that there are more greenhouse gasses released from a single Volcanic eruption than all of the gasses produced by man since the industrial revolution?

If so, shouldn't that silence the global-warming advocates?
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
No, hence, no.
 
Any references would be appreciated
 
Probably not from a single eruption, but combined volcanoes do pump out more greenhouse gases than people. Umm, i can't really talk about global warming and atmosphere stuff cos it's not really my thing. But I believe that volcanoes pump out sulphate aerosoles, these things cool the Earth down - I guess they increase the planet's albedo.
 
OSalcido said:
Any references would be appreciated

Volcanic emissions of CO2 are approximately 1% that of anthropogenic emissions.

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/programmes/landres/segs/downloads/VolcanicContributions.pdf

That is another common denialist talking point that has been thoroughy debunked years ago.
 
Skyhunter said:
Volcanic emissions of CO2 are approximately 1% that of anthropogenic emissions.

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/programmes/landres/segs/downloads/VolcanicContributions.pdf

That is another common denialist talking point that has been thoroughy debunked years ago.

And that's a strawman. There is no serious debate about the origine of the CO2. The volcangenetic CO2 is completely irrelevant. The essential problem with a strong GHG effect is the triple falsification of the positive feedback idea which is the key mechanism to catastrophic global warming.
 
The recent "Global Warming Swindle" documentary for example made the claim that volcanoes emit more CO2 than man, and I have had plenty of arguments with people claiming that there is debate about the origin of the co2. Clearly it's not a strawman to say that it's a common argument used by skeptics.
 
true lies and half truth

over total history I think the volcano's win
as they have been around a lot longer then man
but billions or even millions of years ago old CO2
is long gone and plays no part in the current events

but over a given year no
maybe higher at peak in a real intence event
for a short period of time?
data sure is being SPUN
by both sides
 
  • #10
ray b said:
true lies and half truth

over total history I think the volcano's win
as they have been around a lot longer then man
but billions or even millions of years ago old CO2
is long gone and plays no part in the current events

but over a given year no
maybe higher at peak in a real intence event
for a short period of time?
data sure is being SPUN
by both sides

Of course there will be false arguments from some individuals on both sides, but the wholesale falsification of data is overwhelmingly on one side. Answers to most "skeptic" arguments are well known and can be found here, among many other places.
http://gristmill.grist.org/skeptics

There's a much more wordy description of skeptic arguments here; it's a year old but doubt about AGW has only decreased since it was written. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/23/AR2006052301305_pf.html
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
9K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
7K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
28K
  • · Replies 59 ·
2
Replies
59
Views
12K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 89 ·
3
Replies
89
Views
38K