I'm pretty sure
there is an anthropogenic component to the current global warming cycle. I don't know how much. But I do think that there's no way the whole world can reduce its CO₂ output far enough to make much difference.

So we'd best start planning for how we'll deal with the consequences.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 9 Jun 2009, 9:38, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

well planting trees and foliage helps to at least equalise your CO2 output,
Which is actually a potentially viable solution. I plant trees every year on "plant a tree day" with mum and we usually end up putting about 200 seedlings in. It's natural and it doesn't take much effort.
(Poppet some assembly required., Tue 9 Jun 2009, 9:43, Reply)

Planting trees takes some carbon dioxide
out of the atmosphere. But then those trees die and it all gets released again.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 9 Jun 2009, 9:50, Reply)

Depends where you are.
In the northern boreal forests of North America, 80% of the forests' carbon is stored in the soil. When trees degrade, they degrade slowly and incompletely with a lot of the carbon being kept in sol instead of being released into the atmosphere. Also, the rate the trees grow and sequester carbon may be quicker than the rate which fallen organic matter degrades and releases carbon. (In the tropics things degrae so quickly that this doesn’t work, plus more carbon is released hence the crappy soils in the tropics compared to temperate climates).

That said, planting trees is not the only answer. Instead of wasting money on oil exploration, “clean” coal (a crock), wars, etc, we should be putting it to work looking for real energy alternatives. Either that or buy everyone Honda Accords and let us all battle it out.
(MichaelS wasn't picked again, Tue 9 Jun 2009, 12:54, Reply)