HN Explorer

Ask HN: Now that CO2 levels are down, can we see if CO2 causes global warming?

6 points by nkkollaw ↗ HN
The Chinese virus caused an almost complete stop of all activities, at a level that would be impossible to achieve in a normal situation.

It's already been noticed that CO2 levels have decreased significantly.

Will we be able to observe temps and see if there is definitely a relation between CO2 and global warming, or will this not be possible?

I would think that this is a one-time opportunity.

3 comments

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chewz
> It's already been noticed that CO2 levels have decreased significantly

I think CO emissions decreased not CO levels.. So we wont see decreassing temperatures right away..

nkkollaw
Is it known how long it takes for CO2 levels to decrease?

For instance, if we're supposed to reduce by 50% before 2030, after how many months or years would we notice a difference?

Someone
CO2 stays in the atmosphere for centuries (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38136820_Atmospheri..., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_in_Earth%27s_at...), so a temporary decrease or even a temporary stop will not make much of a dent.

I’m sure we will see papers on this, though, just as we saw them after 9/11.

Also “if CO2 causes global warming”? I thought that has been established; even the starkest deniers only debate whether human contributions to CO2 emissions make much of an impact.