Some interesting new research suggests the climate carbon cycle models aren't quite right.
It appears plants take in more carbon than previously understood by existing models, as much as 30% more, but they also release more of that carbon than expected, the mechanism is not yet clear. It doesn't change much, as the increased uptake is almost balanced by the increased release, but it probably means there will be significant revisions to many climate models, as there are extra steps in the cycle affecting rates of change and duration.
It also suggests some of the modern R&D into GM crops could turn out to be a very valuable avenue to meeting net zero carbon, and yield increases in grass and grain crops are basically a direct measure of the percentage of carbon being converted. On average apparently as little as only 2% of carbon taken is converted to seed or biomass. If you can increase the size or quantity of seeds or fruits you are directly increasing the amount of carbon capture / conversion, if you go from 2% to 3% that's a 50% increase. Some countries living at the tough end of existence are already onto this, but it seems the self-righteous Europe / Western nations are still anti-GM at any cost. The numbers are staggering, very small changes can equate to billions of tonnes.
On a downer, there is also a study that discusses the over-farming of the oceans, which is causing the oceans to diminish as a carbon sink, we are removing too many fish and as a result the carbon isn't being absorbed for permanent or intermittent sequestration.
Such is humanity, give with one hand, take with the other! :o
It appears plants take in more carbon than previously understood by existing models, as much as 30% more, but they also release more of that carbon than expected, the mechanism is not yet clear. It doesn't change much, as the increased uptake is almost balanced by the increased release, but it probably means there will be significant revisions to many climate models, as there are extra steps in the cycle affecting rates of change and duration.
It also suggests some of the modern R&D into GM crops could turn out to be a very valuable avenue to meeting net zero carbon, and yield increases in grass and grain crops are basically a direct measure of the percentage of carbon being converted. On average apparently as little as only 2% of carbon taken is converted to seed or biomass. If you can increase the size or quantity of seeds or fruits you are directly increasing the amount of carbon capture / conversion, if you go from 2% to 3% that's a 50% increase. Some countries living at the tough end of existence are already onto this, but it seems the self-righteous Europe / Western nations are still anti-GM at any cost. The numbers are staggering, very small changes can equate to billions of tonnes.
On a downer, there is also a study that discusses the over-farming of the oceans, which is causing the oceans to diminish as a carbon sink, we are removing too many fish and as a result the carbon isn't being absorbed for permanent or intermittent sequestration.
Such is humanity, give with one hand, take with the other! :o
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"