Climate Change Denial Myth #7: Is Increased CO2 a Good Thing?

There are many, many misconceptions and myths climate change denialist use to deny the reality of climate change and increasing global temperatures. Some denialists are in out right denial it is happening. Others twist the truth to push an agenda, and others try to come across as knowledgeable by trying to use science in their arguments. Today's myth fits into the latter category. Denialists using this myth acknowledge climate change is occurring and acknowledge greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide are increasing in the atmosphere. And it is definitely true greenhouse gasses are increasing.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carbon_Dioxide_400kyr.png

The data is very clear, as shown above, that CO2 levels are increasing in the atmosphere and increasing fast. Unfortunately the denialists who accept increasing CO2 will often argue it away by saying that CO2 is good for the planet. They will point to studies showing increased CO2 increases plant growth activity which is an overall good for the planet. Yes, there are studies showing increased plant growth activity in localized regions, but across the globe, increased CO2 is a big net negative. The increased global temperatures are creating larger regions of drought across the world. Although plants need CO2, they need other things too, such as nutrients, and um...water!

This is one of those myths that contains a bit of science, but doesn't look at the full picture. The full, global picture is a warming planet with increased regions of drought affecting millions of people.