Climate changes don't have to be looked at as negative: Let's not discount Mother Nature and her ability to heal the Earth

Sunday, July 21, 2013 by: Antonia
Tags: carbon footprint, algae growth, global warming

(NaturalNews) A study published by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the Nature Geoscience journal discusses the potential of the algae growth caused by melting glaciers in Greenland, is actually having a positive effect on the environment.

Sure, there are discussions of the algae providing new types of food to deep-water animals that are now seeing what appears to be abnormal growth, but the algae growth from what seems to stem from the "large amount of particulate iron runoff" may help to "absorb C02." CO2 is one of the major greenhouse gases that is making a contribution to global warming.

Not that we should stop taking measures to "reduce our carbon footprint," but it seems as though Mother Nature is "on it" as well. She sees the large efforts made by many individuals, like yourself, who care about our planet, and is paying us back in kind, or so I feel.

To recap, the idea is that iron runoff is consumed by the algae contributing to its growth, and the algae in turn would absorb larger amounts of the greenhouse gas because it lives longer. Eventually, as the algae dies and find its way to the ocean floor, it results in the isolation of the CO2.

Iron is only one nutrient; however, that lends to the life extension of the algae, permitting it to absorb more of the gases. The algae would benefit from "an increase in levels of phosphates and nitrates" as well, to stay alive longer, providing more value.

All of this is speculation, however. Further testing is needed to conclude that the iron is effectively helping the algae to flourish, but, flourishing it is.

Stated in the source article on inhabitat.com: "It is a comforting thought to know that the earth has ways of balancing itself in response to human activity." Agreed.

Reducing our carbon footprint

I will take this opportunity to point out a couple ways to continue to help Mother Nature. More suggestions are welcome.

Walking, or riding a bike (without a motor) has multiple personal advantages and helps to keep the air clean.

Supporting "green" companies, such as airlines that upgrade their fleet to reduce fuel consumption and off gases, is of help.

Plus, buying food locally, or growing at home, clearly has its advantages.

Sources for this article include:

http://inhabitat.com
http://phys.org/news/2013-03-iron-glacial-global.html
http://phys.org
http://www.whoi.edu/
http://inhabitat.com
http://inhabitat.com
http://inhabitat.com
http://www.huffingtonpost.com

About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia