The Wonders of Science in Modern Life
Volume IX The Reason Why in Science
By Henry Smith Williams
Copyright 1912
pg. 45
Volume IX The Reason Why in Science
By Henry Smith Williams
Copyright 1912
pg. 45
"In a volume published by the U.S. Geological Survey, C. R. Van Hise, President of the University of Wisconsin, predicts an increase of temperature in future all over the world. The prophecy is based on the enormous discharge of carbonic acid into the air, due to the burning of coal. This idea was earlier exprest by Prof. Arrhenius and possibly by others, but it is elaborated by Prof. Van Hise with some interesting statistics.
It is stated that the coal mined and burned in the year 1899 amounted to 723,287,454 metric tons. Ten years earlier the annual production was only 511,518,358 metric tons. This shows how rapid the increase in the use of coal has been, and seems to justify the estimate that the average annual combustion of coal for the ensuing centruy will not be less than 1,000,000,000 tons. On this assumption it is estimated that the total amount of carbon in the atmosphere would be doubled in the course of the ensuing 800 years.
The atmosphere is in effect a blanket about the earth, retarding the radiation of heat. The moon has no atmosphere, and its surface is supposed to maintain practically the zero temperature of empty space. the earth is protected by its gaseous atmospher, and the degree of protection is greatly enhanced by the presence of water-vapor and carbonic acid gas. Arrhenius has calculated that if the carboid dioxid is increased 2.5 to 3 times it's present value, the temperature in the arctic regions must rise on the average 14 degrees to 15 degrees Fahr., producing a climate mild as that of the geological period known as the Eocene. Such a change would resultin a more luxuriant growth of vegetation everywhere, and the quickening of many chemical reactions. It, therefore, appears probable, says Prof. Van Hise, that the burning of coal will result in profound geological changes.
The Scientific American points out that in the few years that have elapsed since Prof. Van Hise's prophecy was made, the world's annual consumption of coal has about doubled, "so that six thousand million tons of carbonic oxid are now being discharged annually into the atmosphere." The inference that the climate has by this means been measurably changed within recent years would probably not bear the test of too close an inspection of accurate wather-records; but that appreciable effects must accrue in the course of time would seems to be inevitable. Even now it is possible that such centers as New York City, which consumes twenty million tons of coal annually, may secure some local advantages of modified climate, tho at the expense of purity of the air-supply."
It is stated that the coal mined and burned in the year 1899 amounted to 723,287,454 metric tons. Ten years earlier the annual production was only 511,518,358 metric tons. This shows how rapid the increase in the use of coal has been, and seems to justify the estimate that the average annual combustion of coal for the ensuing centruy will not be less than 1,000,000,000 tons. On this assumption it is estimated that the total amount of carbon in the atmosphere would be doubled in the course of the ensuing 800 years.
The atmosphere is in effect a blanket about the earth, retarding the radiation of heat. The moon has no atmosphere, and its surface is supposed to maintain practically the zero temperature of empty space. the earth is protected by its gaseous atmospher, and the degree of protection is greatly enhanced by the presence of water-vapor and carbonic acid gas. Arrhenius has calculated that if the carboid dioxid is increased 2.5 to 3 times it's present value, the temperature in the arctic regions must rise on the average 14 degrees to 15 degrees Fahr., producing a climate mild as that of the geological period known as the Eocene. Such a change would resultin a more luxuriant growth of vegetation everywhere, and the quickening of many chemical reactions. It, therefore, appears probable, says Prof. Van Hise, that the burning of coal will result in profound geological changes.
The Scientific American points out that in the few years that have elapsed since Prof. Van Hise's prophecy was made, the world's annual consumption of coal has about doubled, "so that six thousand million tons of carbonic oxid are now being discharged annually into the atmosphere." The inference that the climate has by this means been measurably changed within recent years would probably not bear the test of too close an inspection of accurate wather-records; but that appreciable effects must accrue in the course of time would seems to be inevitable. Even now it is possible that such centers as New York City, which consumes twenty million tons of coal annually, may secure some local advantages of modified climate, tho at the expense of purity of the air-supply."
Current Carbon and Climate Change information can be found at the US Energy Information Administration and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
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