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

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the comparison of greenhouse gas emissions from volcanic eruptions versus those produced by human activities since the industrial revolution. Participants explore the implications of these emissions on the global warming debate, examining both the scale of volcanic emissions and the arguments surrounding them.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a single volcanic eruption releases more greenhouse gases than all human emissions since the industrial revolution, suggesting this could challenge global warming advocates.
  • Another participant asserts that volcanic emissions are not greater than anthropogenic emissions, stating that volcanic CO2 emissions are approximately 1% of those from human activities.
  • A participant provides a reference to a study estimating annual volcanic emissions, noting that estimates can vary significantly.
  • Some participants argue that while individual eruptions may not exceed human emissions, combined volcanic activity could surpass human contributions over time.
  • There is mention of volcanic sulfate aerosols potentially cooling the Earth, which adds complexity to the discussion about their overall impact on climate.
  • One participant claims that the argument regarding volcanic emissions is a common talking point among climate change skeptics and has been debunked.
  • Another participant reflects on the historical context of volcanic emissions, suggesting that while volcanoes may have emitted more CO2 over geological timescales, their current contributions are not significant compared to human emissions.
  • Concerns are raised about the manipulation of data by both sides of the debate, with calls for careful examination of the arguments presented by skeptics and advocates alike.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of volcanic emissions compared to human emissions, with no consensus reached on the validity of claims made by either side. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these emissions for the global warming debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various studies and claims without reaching a definitive conclusion about the accuracy of the data or the arguments presented. The discussion highlights the complexity and contentious nature of the topic, with participants acknowledging the potential for misinformation on both sides.

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
29K
  • · Replies 59 ·
2
Replies
59
Views
12K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 89 ·
3
Replies
89
Views
38K