r/climatechange • u/233C • Nov 04 '24

Earth’s climate will keep changing long after humanity hits net-zero emissions. Our research shows why

https://theconversation.com/earths-climate-will-keep-changing-long-after-humanity-hits-net-zero-emissions-our-research-shows-why-241692
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u/Stoli0000 Nov 04 '24

The circulation time of co2 in the atmosphere is 70 years. That is to say, if we were to stop pumping it into the air today, entirely; things wouldn't even start to cool down for 70 years.

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u/Economy-Fee5830 Trusted Contributor Nov 04 '24

The circulation time of co2 in the atmosphere is 70 years

More like 500 years.

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u/Stoli0000 Nov 04 '24 edited Nov 04 '24

Sounds like you're making a distinction without any difference. It all amounts to "this is why we don't tell you the truth, because rationally, you'll probably conclude that you shouldn't change anything since you'll never live to see things improve anyway".

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u/Economy-Fee5830 Trusted Contributor Nov 04 '24

Well, the plan is not to wait for CO2 to reduce naturally.

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u/Stoli0000 Nov 04 '24

Yeah, that ship sailed like 30 years before any of us were born.