A report published by the Australian CSIRO in 2013 has shown that the increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been very good for the planet. CO2 is plant food and the increased concentration is the atmosphere has meant a ‘greening’ of vegetation in all areas of the planet. This includes the arid Australian deserts.
Quoting the report:
In findings based on satellite observations, CSIRO, in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU), found that this CO2 fertilisation correlated with an 11 per cent increase in foliage cover from 1982-2010 across parts of the arid areas studied in Australia, North America, the Middle East and Africa, according to CSIRO research scientist, Dr Randall Donohue.
“In Australia, our native vegetation is superbly adapted to surviving in arid environments and it consequently uses water very efficiently,” Dr Donohue said. “Australian vegetation seems quite sensitive to CO2 fertilisation.
This, along with the vast extents of arid landscapes, means Australia featured prominently in our results.”
“While a CO2 effect on foliage response has long been speculated, until now it has been difficult to demonstrate,” according to Dr Donohue.
Thus I conclude that if this is the case then the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere provides a providential benefit to the planet. We live under common grace, meaning that God the Creator is the One who sends the rain, feeds the plants and grows the crops. He doesn’t differentiate where or for whom He does this. He provides for all, both good and bad.
