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Science Hypothesis says we have extra 1.3 billion years on Earth
Science Hypothesis says we have extra 1.3 billion years on Earth | Hypothesis says we have extra 1.3 billion years on Earth |
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| by William Atkins | |
| Monday, 15 June 2009 | |
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Science DiscussionsThe paper “Atmospheric pressure as a natural climate regulator for a terrestrial planet with a biosphere” was published June 1, 2009, in the early online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Its authors are King-Fai Li, Kaveh Pahlevan, Joseph L. Kirschvink, and Yuk L. Yung, all from the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. The abstract to their paper states, “Lovelock and Whitfield suggested in 1982 that, as the luminosity of the Sun increases over its life cycle [the Sun gets bigger], biologically enhanced silicate weathering is able to reduce the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) so that the Earth's surface temperature is maintained within an inhabitable range. [more sunlight but less carbon dioxide means we still have good living conditions]" "As this process continues, however, between 100 and 900 million years (Ma) from now the CO2 concentration will reach levels too low for C3 and C4 photosynthesis, signaling the end of the solar-powered biosphere. [eventually, we got problems]” In other words, about one billion years from now, as the Sun continues to get larger (putting out more solar energy), more solar radiation will be received on Earth. It will eventually make Earth inhospitable as oceans dry up, carbon dioxide disappears, and it becomes too hot for species to live. However, the CalTech scientists state that, even though this scenario will occur, they predict it will occur 2.3 billions years from now, not 1 billion as with current scientific contentions. Page two continues. |
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