[Space] What is the 'Gaia' type of garden worlds like? ('Habitability 9').

whswhs · 02-09-2017, 01:55 PM

Raise the carbon dioxide level. On one hand, photosynthesis is more efficient with more carbon dioxide; in fact our current level is a bit lower than optimal, and some plants have apparently evolved a new photosynthetic pathway to adapt to this. On the other hand, you'll get warmer temperatures, and I've read that cold is more lethal than heat. Certainly this amounts to a recommendation for global warming, but some of the issues with global warming appear to relate more to the rate at which it takes place and the difficulty in adapting to changing climate and sea level in a hurry than to the absolute levels. Of course you wouldn't want the classic SF Venus, but something like Earth in the Eocene might have its advantages.

02-09-2017, 01:55 PM	#5
whswhs Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS	Re: [Space] What is the 'Gaia' type of garden worlds like? ('Habitability 9'). Raise the carbon dioxide level. On one hand, photosynthesis is more efficient with more carbon dioxide; in fact our current level is a bit lower than optimal, and some plants have apparently evolved a new photosynthetic pathway to adapt to this. On the other hand, you'll get warmer temperatures, and I've read that cold is more lethal than heat. Certainly this amounts to a recommendation for global warming, but some of the issues with global warming appear to relate more to the rate at which it takes place and the difficulty in adapting to changing climate and sea level in a hurry than to the absolute levels. Of course you wouldn't want the classic SF Venus, but something like Earth in the Eocene might have its advantages. __________________ Bill Stoddard I don't think we're in Oz any more.