Carbon Dioxide Boosts Crop Production By $140 Billion Per Year

Carbon dioxide is “hugely beneficial” for humankind, boosting global crop production to the tune of $140bn (£91.4bn) per year, according to a radical new report out today.

The Global Warming Policy Foundation, which analyses the financial implications of responses to climate change, is calling for a reasses­sment of carbon dioxide, which he believes has been given too much bad press – its new report says.

Its author Indur Goklany said: “Carbon dioxide fertilises plants, and emissions from fossil fuels have already had a hugely benef­icial effect on crops, increasing yields by at least 10-15 per cent. This has not only been good for humankind but for the natural world too, because an acre of land that is not used for crops is an acre of land that is left for nature.”

Dr Goklany added: “Unlike the claims of future global warming disasters these benefits are firmly established and are being felt now. Yet despite this the media overlook means that the good news and the public remain in the dark”.

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