5 ms·

What is the right amount of CO2 to have in the atmosphere scientifically speaking?

• smokeybear 8y ago
  between 250-300 ppm is assumed to be an average normal concentration, this is a reference range compared against the observed concentration of a subject plant tissue. This is a scientifically mandated condition with respect to phytophysiological experimentation. These datum are detected with a simple benchtop infrared spectrum gas analyzer. [IRGA] An investigation of extreme rigor, or extreme contention must use instruments of higher accuraccy and selectivity, at great expense of course, and exacting grant proposals as a result.
• turndown 8y ago
  An amount similar to levels before human impact.
  • averros 8y ago
    Non sequitur.
  • m0zg 8y ago
    There have been times "before human impact" when atmospheric CO2 was _way_ higher than it is now, though. You'll have to be more specific.
• averros 8y ago
  Depends on what your utility function is. If it's "as close to the nature right before apes became humans", it's easy to answer (though hard to justify on any grounds other than quasi-religous belief in Gaia or something). If it's "planet with more plants and animals" it could be quite different, and any honest scientist would answer it "we don't really know, but here are some considerations..."