When people by carbon offsets, they are usually told that it involves planting a tree. At least, that is what all these carbon offsets providers proclaim. And Warmists are constantly screeching about planting more trees, especially at the ‘climate change’ rallies they drive to in their fossil fueled vehicles. But, um, see…
More trees, less global warming? Not exactly
Trees are considered as one of our biggest natural allies in the war against global warming, but in a new twist, scientists have found that the army of green is spewing out methane.
The University of Delaware study is one of the first in the world to show that tree trunks in upland forests actually emit methane rather than store it, representing a new, previously unaccounted source of this powerful greenhouse gas.
Methane is about 25 times stronger than carbon dioxide, with some estimates as high as 33 times stronger due to its effects when it is in the atmosphere. (snip)
Overall, the tree trunks acted as a source of carbon dioxide and as a small source of methane, but the magnitude of gases emitted varied with the species.
It’s actually not new that plants release methane: there’s a story way back in my archive about a study about food crops taking CO2 out of the air while releasing methane. But, get this: it’s all part of the natural process of life on earth. If we were all doomed, Warmists might actually practice what they preach instead of demanding taxes and fees on Other People while calling for bigger and more controlling centralized government.
Never doubt the Gipper:
“Yes, just as president Ronald Reagan said in 1981. “Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do,” he opined. A little later, environmental scientists ruefully confirmed he was partially right. In hot weather, trees release volatile organic hydrocarbons including terpenes and isoprenes – two molecules linked to photochemical smog. In very hot weather, the production of these begins to accelerate.”