The greenhouse effect and human population [editorial]

Commentary is provided on the contribution of human respiration to the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which may increase the mean temperature of the temperature of the atmosphere and consequently the planet. It is possible that photosynthetic plants or organisms such as plankton will absorb excess carbon dioxide but to wait and see does not seem prudent. Combustion of coal oil gas and from oil-flaring and cement manufacture added an estimated 5.65 x 10 to the 19th power tons of carbon dioxide in 1987. This figure is close to the 1977 figures and is a large increase from 1950 emissions (1.64 x 10 to the 9th power tons). Human emissions CO2 assuming the tidal volume of .5 liters a respiration rate of 12/minute and 4% emissions of CO2 would be .5 x 12 x 60 x 24 x 365 x .04 = 130000 liters/year/person. The mass would be 260000 gm/year/person with 22.4 liters of carbon dioxide yielding 44 gm (molar mass). The total human production of CO2 would be a multiplier of 6 x 10 to the 9th power and equivalent to 1.56 x 10 to the 9th power tons. The true figure could be almost twice as high. When consideration is given to population doubling or even increasing to 8 x 10 to the 9th power alarms ring. Population predictions show stabilization or slight rises for the US and Europe but increases for other countries. Africa alone may triple population in the next 100 years. Limits must be placed on both industrial production of CO2 and population growth. Contraceptive education is necessary in countries with large population increases. Incentives however unpopular must be directed toward the use of family planning. Catastrophe will be the result if change does not take place.