GOP Congressman: Cut Down Rainforests to Eliminate Greenhouse Gases?

[Osiris]

Uhm, yeah. I think even Cal can agree this Republican from CA is insane. A quote:

 

"Is there some thought being given to subsidizing the clearing of rainforests in order for some countries to eliminate that production of greenhouse gases? Or would people be supportive of cutting down older trees in order to plant younger trees as a means to prevent this disaster from happening?"

 

-http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/05/31/dana-rohrabacher-r-ca-on-climate-change-makes-wrong-even-wronger/#.U1kLlHy9KSN

 

So here he tacitly admits that greenhouse gases are a problem. His solution? Cut down the rain forests that we all agree here ought to be saved!

[Monoseptic]

Without trying to start a global warming fact/fiction response Its completly obvious that this congressman has no idea what the hell he is talking about. All he needs to do is study the carbon cycle and discover that these rainforests help negate the effect of these greenhouse gases. You would think he would try to "brush" up a little on a topic before commenting on one. This typically helps to prevent you from looking like a jackass.

 

I really hope he was attempting to be funny here.

 

And scary to think that this guy is an elected offical......

[The Cysko Kid]

Yeah that sounds like a good idea.

[Westside Steve]

well there is a point to be made about clearing old-growth so that new growth can take it over but...

 

I am guessing they aren't talking about clearing the rainforest and replacing it with black top.

WSS

[gftChris]

The leaves falling and decomposing are a very important part of the nutrient cycle in forests. If you (somehow) got a team to go in there and sweep the leaves every day/week then you'd be removing vital nutrients from the soil and subsequently affecting the future growth.

 

The dead, fallen trees are spawning grounds for organisms that help decompose the fallen matter and help expedite the process of turning dead plants in to food for living plants.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrient_cycle

[Osiris]

The leaves falling and decomposing are a very important part of the nutrient cycle in forests. If you (somehow) got a team to go in there and sweep the leaves every day/week then you'd be removing vital nutrients from the soil and subsequently affecting the future growth.

And while I don't know for sure, I really doubt the CO2 caused be decomposition outstrips the absorption capacity of the surrounding trees.

[calfoxwc]

I don't give him any benefit of the doubt. He's just blowing hot air about a subject

he has reversed in his simpleton mind.

[MLD Woody]

How exactly would his plan work?

[calfoxwc]

"what is air"

 

"show me a study where earth exists"

 

"everybody is a moron because they make me the butt of the board"

 

woodypeckerhead.

[MLD Woody]

Do you understand how quotations work?

[calfoxwc]

Can you spell "quotation" woodypeckerhead?

[gftChris]

"The planet is FINE, The people are fucked" - George Carlin

There's a lot of truth to this. Assuming that there is some apocalyptic event that wipes out mankind and other life, the planet will go on, and basically reboot. There's life-forms that would survive, for starters those that rely on sulphur as an ultimate energy source rather than the sun, and the planet will continue.

 

But we probably would vote against that, given the chance.