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Polltuion-fed vines take hold -- Infestations blamed on Carbon Dioxide, Global Warming
San Jose Mercury News (WaPo) ^ | 7/16/06 | Elizabeth Williamson

Posted on 07/16/2006 8:59:04 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom

Vines like poison ivy and kudzu snake through the back yard, girdling trees and strangling shrubs -- thriving, scientists say, on the same pollution they blame for global warming.

From backyard gardens to the Amazon rain forest, vines are growing faster, stronger and, in the case of poison ivy, more poisonous on the heavy doses of carbon dioxide that come from burning fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal.

Complaints about vine infestation have increased tenfold in a decade, said Carole Bergmann, forest ecologist for the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, which serves Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland. Vines have choked gardens, ruined brickwork, disrupted bird habitats, and clogged paths, ponds and air conditioning and electronic equipment.

"This work suggests that atmospheric carbon dioxide is at least partially responsible."

[snip]

Drake said his research suggests that most plants grow faster on higher levels of carbon dioxide -- including plants already used as alternative fuels, such as switch grass. If burned instead of fossil fuels, these plants, the theory goes, could form a defense against climate change.

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: blah; climatechange; co2; environment; globalwarming
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Yes, everybody agrees that CO2 "pollution" is a serious problem. But then, why do these scientists always couch their findings with with such shaky qualifiers such as "suggests," "at least," and "partially"? It's a real hoot to find all three in one colossal waffle -- "...suggests that CO2 is at least partially..."
1 posted on 07/16/2006 8:59:05 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
Cee Oh Two isn't a pollutant. It is an essential plant nutrient!
2 posted on 07/16/2006 9:00:52 AM PDT by null and void (It's a crazy world. Someone ought to sell tickets.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Near as I can tell -- -- we're DOOMED!!!!


3 posted on 07/16/2006 9:01:14 AM PDT by BenLurkin ("The entire remedy is with the people." - W. H. Harrison)
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To: BenLurkin

GAME OVER!


4 posted on 07/16/2006 9:02:40 AM PDT by Dallas59
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Funny thing, global warming is only valid in mr. gore's mind.....


5 posted on 07/16/2006 9:03:19 AM PDT by HarleyLady27 (My ? to libs: "Do they ever shut up on your planet?" "Grow your own DOPE: Plant a LIB!")
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

"Complaints about vine infestation have increased tenfold in a decade..."



All that proves is that people have grown to expect the government to solve all of their problems.


6 posted on 07/16/2006 9:05:11 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
these scientists always couch their findings with with such shaky qualifiers such as "suggests,"....

It’s all supposition, they have no evidence to support their theory and are not ready to completely though caution to the wind and give up at least the appearance of being a real scientist.

7 posted on 07/16/2006 9:06:03 AM PDT by Pontiac (All are worthy of freedom, none are incapable.)
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To: HarleyLady27

the rise in atmospheric co2 is measurable and real

is this good or bad or partially man made or responsible for global warming is open for debate.

the level of c02 is not open to debate.


8 posted on 07/16/2006 9:06:16 AM PDT by staytrue
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To: null and void

I would ask these people why is it that vines are doing this and not other plants, seeing as plants of all stripes depend on CO2 for survival, in other words we should be ran over with flowers, grass,weeds,trees etc. and not just vines.


9 posted on 07/16/2006 9:07:38 AM PDT by aft_lizard (born conservative...I chose to be a republican)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
``Fifteen years ago, kudzu'' -- known as the vine that ate the South -- ``would not survive in the D.C. area,'' Bergmann said, because the climate was too cold. ``Now it survives even up in New York.''

A perfect example of urban heat island. I am 75 miles west of DC and kudzu won't grow here.

10 posted on 07/16/2006 9:07:46 AM PDT by palmer (Money problems do not come from a lack of money, but from living an excessive, unrealistic lifestyle)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Guess views has changed a bit--eh liberals. I remember Jimmah Carter touting Kudzu and his personal role in brining it to Georgia. In fact you might say Carter slid into the White house down a vine of Kudzu--pollution loving things that it is.


11 posted on 07/16/2006 9:09:06 AM PDT by rod1
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To: aft_lizard

You haven't seen my back yard...


12 posted on 07/16/2006 9:09:14 AM PDT by null and void (It's a crazy world. Someone ought to sell tickets.)
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To: aft_lizard

That is a mean to say, in areas where vine infestation that is nill we should see an increased amount of vegetation growing at increased and possibly uncontrollable rates.

But I digress this is just nature doing what nature does best, taking care of itself.


13 posted on 07/16/2006 9:10:37 AM PDT by aft_lizard (born conservative...I chose to be a republican)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Wasn't there a thread lately based on a "finding" that increased CO2 may not/does not stimulate plant growth? Maybe it only stimulates "bad" plants! No mater what, we're doomed.


14 posted on 07/16/2006 9:10:44 AM PDT by FairWitness
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To: staytrue

like I said....."Funny thing, global warming in only in mr. gore's head....".....


15 posted on 07/16/2006 9:10:56 AM PDT by HarleyLady27 (My ? to libs: "Do they ever shut up on your planet?" "Grow your own DOPE: Plant a LIB!")
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To: palmer

I get this stuff down at my local Southern States store it puts the hurt on Poison Ivy, Cow's Itch and any other green plant I spray it opn. . As long as Southern States has the answer I have something for Poison ivy. fact is the birds eat the berry's from the poison Ivy plant anbd crap them everywhere.


16 posted on 07/16/2006 9:12:18 AM PDT by sgtbono2002 (The fourth estate is a fifth column.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
Hmmmmmm....lemme get this right: CO2 is bad, but plants are soaking up the excess CO2 and releasing oxygen, which is bad? What am I missing here?

I'll believe that Global Warming® is real when liberals start selling their beach-front property.

17 posted on 07/16/2006 9:14:07 AM PDT by randog (What the...?!)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Can kudzu be turned into gasoline?


18 posted on 07/16/2006 9:17:23 AM PDT by Steely Tom
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Where's that "Not that sh* again" picture?


19 posted on 07/16/2006 9:20:37 AM PDT by expatpat
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To: null and void

You are right of course, but the e-wackos hve a suit against the EPA at the Supreme Court asserting that it is.


20 posted on 07/16/2006 9:21:52 AM PDT by expatpat
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