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By Vivek Saini
Claim 1: We’re essentially in a carbon dioxide drought by historical standards. Plants start to die at 250 ppm CO2.
Fact 1: Ice core data shows pre-industrial CO2 levels were around 280 ppm. Plants have adapted to a wide range of CO2 concentrations, and while deficient levels can be limiting, there’s no evidence to support Peterson’s claim that plants start dying at 250 ppm.
Claim 2: The planet is 20% greener due to rising CO2.
Fact 2: While some studies show a greening effect from CO2 fertilisation, the estimate of 20% is uncertain. It’s crucial to understand that the overall impact of rising CO2 is more complex than Peterson suggests. It’s a complex issue that disrupts ecosystems, harms some plants, and contributes to global warming.
Claim 3: Crop yields have gone up 13% due to CO2.
Fact 3: Increased CO2 may play a role in some crop yield increases, but it’s not the only factor. Improved agricultural practices and other advancements also contribute. The adverse effects of climate change, like extreme weather events and water scarcity, threaten future crop yields.
Claim 4: Deserts are shrinking because plants can breathe better with more CO2.
Fact 4: Desertification is a complex issue with many contributing factors, including climate change, overgrazing, and deforestation. While increased CO2 may play a role in some plant growth, it’s not the primary driver of desertification.
Claim 5: Only 1% of scientists believe in the climate crisis. 97% consensus on climate change is a fabrication. IPCC doesn’t even consider it an emergency. The environmental movement is driven by anti-humanism and nature worship.
Fact 5: The IPCC has issued strong warnings about the urgency of taking action on climate change, highlighting the potential for severe consequences if we don’t act. It’s important to note that these warnings are based on scientific evidence, not on anti-humanism or nature worship, as Peterson suggests.
Claim Post:
Youtube Podcast:
What does the post say
Wide Awake Media, a known misinformation spreader on social media, posted a clip of the Canadian author and clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson on May 28, 2024. In this clip, Peterson can be seen making several statements about climate change. For instance, he claimed that climate science is an “Appallent scam,” that CO2 levels are dangerously low, and that a greener planet with increased crop yields is the opposite of a catastrophe. Peterson also made specific claims about climate change, such as the assertion that increased CO2 has made the planet 20% greener and that crop yields have risen 13% due to CO2.
What we found
Peterson’s claims ranged from questioning the validity of climate science to downplaying potential environmental consequences. These statements cast doubt on the legitimacy of climate science, minimized potential dangers, and even suggested some positive ecological impacts. Fact-checking these claims revealed a significant gap between Peterson’s assertions and established scientific evidence. Here, we’ll take a closer look at each claim, using reliable sources to shed light on the complexities of climate change and the crucial role scientific evidence plays in understanding this critical issue. Here’s a breakdown:
Are we facing a CO2 drought?
Jordan Peterson’s claim that we’re facing a CO2 “drought” and plants are on the brink of death at 250 ppm CO2 levels clashes with established scientific evidence. Instead of a historical low, data from ice cores – a reliable source of past atmospheric information – reveals pre-industrial CO2 levels were around 280 ppm, according to research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Through countless years of adaptation, plants have developed the ability to survive within a wide range of CO2 concentrations. While very low CO2 levels can restrict plant growth, research suggests they can thrive even at levels significantly lower than Peterson’s critical threshold of 250 ppm. It’s crucial to remember that CO2 is just one-factor influencing plant life. Other essential elements for growth include access to water, nutrients, and sunlight. While increased CO2 may stimulate plant growth in controlled environments, understanding the impact on complex ecosystems requires a more comprehensive approach.
Is the Planet 20% Greener?
Peterson paints a rosy picture, suggesting rising CO2 levels have made the planet a whopping 20% greener. While CO2 fertilisation holds some truth, dissecting the science behind this claim is crucial. Studies conducted by NASA have shown that increased CO2 can act as a fertilizer for specific plants in controlled environments where factors like water and nutrients are not limiting, leading to some level of greening. However, this effect is far from uniform across the vast tapestry of Earth’s ecosystems.
The reality is more concerning. Some plants, particularly those adapted to lower CO2 environments, may be negatively impacted by rising levels. Furthermore, the potential short-term benefits of CO2 fertilisation are likely overshadowed by the long-term consequences of climate change. Increased heat stress, drought, and changes in precipitation patterns, all fueled by a warming planet, threaten to harm ecosystems and agricultural productivity in the long run. Focusing solely on a potential greening effect ignores the bigger picture – a rapidly warming planet with cascading negative consequences for the natural world and human societies.
CO2 and Crop Yields?
Peterson also suggests that rising CO2 levels are a boon for agriculture, leading to a 13% increase in crop yields. While there’s some truth to CO2’s fertilizing effect, the reality for farmers could be more complex. Studies conducted by institutions like the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have shown that increased CO2 can act as a weak fertiliser for some plants under controlled conditions, where limitations like water and nutrients are minimized. However, this effect is only sometimes universal. Many crops, particularly those with a complex metabolic pathway like corn and sugarcane (C4 plants), see minimal to no benefit from increased CO2.
The more significant threat to future harvests lies not in a CO2 shortage but in the long arm of climate change. Rising temperatures, increased heat stress, droughts, and unpredictable precipitation patterns, all fueled by a warming planet, pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity. Extreme weather events like floods and storms can devastate crops in a single season, jeopardising food security for millions. Focusing solely on CO2 manipulation as a solution overlooks these harsh realities. Sustainable practices and advancements in breeding techniques and irrigation systems offer far greater potential for long-term food security in a changing climate.
Deserts and CO2
Peterson suggests a surprising benefit of rising CO2 levels: shrinking deserts. The logic cited here is that with more CO2, plants can breathe easier and thrive in arid regions, leading to overall desert greening. While there’s a sliver of truth to the CO2 fertilization effect, desertification is far more complex. The expansion of deserts, a worrying environmental trend, is driven by many factors. With rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, climate change plays a significant role. Overgrazing by livestock, deforestation, and unsustainable land management practices further exacerbate the problem. While CO2 levels might influence plant growth patterns in some regions, they’re not the primary driver pushing deserts to expand.
Increased CO2 might stimulate plant growth in specific arid areas under controlled conditions. However, in the grand scheme of desertification, its impact likely pales compared to the devastation caused by overgrazing and unsustainable land use. Combating desertification requires a holistic approach. Implementing sustainable land management practices, promoting responsible grazing techniques, and mitigating the long-term effects of climate change are crucial steps towards a more sustainable future for these fragile ecosystems.
Scientific Consensus and Environmentalism
Peterson’s portrayal of climate science as a field rife with dissent and the environmental movement as driven by non-scientific agendas doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Decades of research, backed by 90% of actively publishing climate scientists, agree that human activity is the primary culprit behind global warming. Far from fringe activism, environmentalism is firmly rooted in scientific evidence. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a body of thousands of leading climate scientists, meticulously assesses climate change impacts and solutions.
The environmental movement is driven by a genuine concern for our planet’s real challenges – rising sea levels, increasingly extreme weather events, and a worrying decline in biodiversity. These issues have significant consequences for human societies and future generations. Focusing on perceived controversies detracts from the urgency of addressing climate change. Recognising overwhelming scientific evidence and supporting efforts guided by science are crucial steps towards building a more sustainable future for all.
References:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo-search/study/2453
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03560-w
https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/climate-change
https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/chapter/chapter-3
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