Comment "Scientists" say Carbon emissions are up (Score 1) 399
Since they cannot measure emissions, they know not of what they speak. They can measure atmospheric carbon levels, and estimate some emissions, for instance fossil fuel consumption. But a large source of emissions is concrete curing, and China is doing enormous infrastructure increases. Another is forest burning, and Amazon, California, etc are doing their part on that. Atmospheric carbon levels are emissions minus consumption. Forests consume carbon, so Amazon clear-cut / slash and burn with no replanting is a big problem, a double whammy. The ocean is the biggest consumer of carbon from the atmosphere, and it is filling up with carbon. Oceanic out-gassing of carbon has started near Antarctica. That is the biggest threat. The only way to actively combat atmospheric carbon levels is to plant fast-growing crops, like hemp or fast trees. But that is not technological and very lacking in profits for the many friends of people in office, so that will not happen. No serious kickbacks so not happening. Anything technological has carbon-polluting costs as well as carbon-consuming abilities, and what usually happens is that the (unconsidered) polluting of making the materials and equipment, and using them outweighs the supposed benefits. Methanol, for example.