Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Trending News

Promoted
amancalledchuda
Lv 4
amancalledchuda asked in Science & MathematicsEarth Sciences & Geology · 1 decade ago

*Please*, only answer this question if you *don't* know the answer (part 2)?

Ok, further to my last question, here's the next one...

How much has the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere increased over the last 100 years?

I would like to get a feel for what the average person (who doesn't already know the true figures) thinks the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere is.

Let us assume for simplicity that there were 100 "units" of CO2 100 years ago. How many are there today? So if you think it's still the same, you would say 100. If you think it's increased by 1% you'd say 101. 10% = 110, if you think it's inceased 10 times, you'd say 1000, etc.

So, what do you think?

Please, please, please, if you know the answer, or have looked it up, don't post the true figure here.

Update:

ASHLEIGH H, and anybody else who is tempted to just say "I DONT HAVE A FRIGGING CLUELOL" - That's the point! It's *you* that I want to give an answer. You watch TV. You've heard people going on about how CO2 levels are rising and how we're facing a catastrophe. So, given what you'd heard, how much would you *guess* CO2 levels have risen?

22 Answers

Relevance
  • spongeworthy_us
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    You make no sense. If someone happens upon your question and does not know the answer, you want them to post it but if they do know the answer, you don't want them to post it, is that right?

    I do know the answer but since you don't want me to post it, I'll just post a random number: 42%

    Thanks for 2.

  • Paul D
    1 decade ago

    Well, I don't know, but here's a way of looking at it...

    CO2 makes up such a small proportion of the atmosphere, significantly less than 1%. Less than 1% is a small percentage, but less than 1% of a very big thing (the atmosphere), is still big.

    Mind you, we punp out quite a lot of CO2...

    So, therefore, to calculate the amount we pump out against background CO2 levels by percent we have the equation: (quite a lot * big)/100.

    Less flippantly (and how much less flippant can we get than the potential of man-made global warming) I suspect that the answer is not a lot. Small changes in CO2 levels would make big differences in the energy retention capabilities of the atmosphere. If significantly less than 1% can stop us from becoming a ball of ice, then a little bit more must make a big difference. So, I guess, and guess is the operative word here, it would be about 102 or so.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    1 or 2 percent is enough to make a fairly big difference in my opinion so I'll go for 102. Given the huge volume of the atmosphere even a massive increase in human CO2 output would probably only add a few percent if that to the total.

    Source(s): common sense *fails earth science exam*
  • lucantropeea
    1 decade ago

    i guess it would be around ...600 units, but i don't really know...the air's composition is in continuous change, plants turn CO2 into O2, but the ozone lair is getting thinner so everything is under the effect of the sun more than it was 100 years ago (because of pollution and endless space launches). You've made me curious, so now I have to find out :). Don't worry, the End won't come as rapidly as some think, not even because of pollution, but our lives may get shorter because of it...

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • andrew w
    1 decade ago

    110

    Source(s): Slightly educated guess
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Personally, i think that the co2 raise will raise dramatically in 3 or 4 generations. I cant give you any sorts of data because i have none.

  • Old Man of Coniston!.
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    I would go for 102. Because any rise will be offset by a decrease sooner rather than later. Something has to give. Tree and plants would multiply with any increase, I think?.

  • rob_forrest_9
    1 decade ago

    200

  • peter_lobell
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    I'd say the level has doubled or tripled in the past 100 years. Now I'm gonna check!

  • AzzGoodAzzItGetz
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    175

  • Show more answers (12)
Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.