This is post is proposed as a simple test of so-called AGW "skeptics" to see if they are entitled to their claim to skepticism. It just asks three simple questions. Any so-called AGW "skeptic" who wishes to self test their skepticism can do so by answering the questions. If all three answers are correct, you are entitled to a claim of skepticism about this aspect of climate science. You may still be unskeptical about others. Answers and follows up questions will be given in a following post if there is sufficient interest.
The questions:
In his well known book, "Heaven and Earth", Ian Plimer has claimed, "[M]assive volcanic erruptions (e.g. Mount Pinatubo) emit the equivalent of a year's human CO2 emissions in a few days." (Heaven and Earth, p. 472).
1) Is this claim true or false?
2) How do you know?
3) Explain a simple test which would establish almost certainly whether the claim is true or false, and carry it out?
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comment got lost, redoing:
ReplyDelete1. false
2. physics: assume 50 meter radius of vent, 50 m/sec gas velocity, 3 days of venting. That's 100 km3 of gas. Assume it's all CO2 at 40 moles per m3. That's 0.049 pg or 0.049 Gt of carbon. Human sources are 8GtC from reliable economic measurements of fossil fuels. Land use estimates may be less reliable but not too relevant.
3. Measure released gas volume by tracking the released dust particles and measuring their volume. Measure fraction of CO2 within dust cloud.