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Scientific consensus

Tue., Feb. 18, 2020

Yes, CO2, like H2O, is essential for life on Earth.

However, Philip Thayer’s assertion (“CO2 is beneficial,” of Feb. 7) that “CO2 is desirable, and we should encourage increasing concentrations” is as misguided as yelling to a drowning child “water is necessary for life.” Anyone with doubts about the adverse consequences flowing from how humans are changing the Earth’s climate should read the synthesis of consensus estimates that can be found online (John Cook et al., 2016 Environ. Res. Lett. 11 048002) and watch Dr. Kirk Johnson’s PBS Nova special titled “Polar Extremes.”

Fred Corbit

Spokane

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