You may take a look at this title and see three horrendous things staring back at you. However, to the plant world, and partially our world, they might not actually be the worst things on the planet. As it turns out, global warming increases the length of the growth season of hardwood forests by about 10 or 11 days. The moderate increase in temperature caused by global warming affects not only the growth season of hardwood forests, but also that of many temperate forest plants in general. The study showed that these trees grow faster at higher temperatures. And if trees grow faster, I suppose the Christmas tree industry will boom when it finds out about this; global warming might just save our economy!

Acid rain is a phenomenon caused by our pollution. Although we know acid rain to be extremely detrimental to our belongings and the outdoor world, it also helps the plant kingdom just a bit. For a while now, we humans have been polluting our atmosphere with a plethora of things, all which slowly contribute to acid rain. However, the acid rain caused by pollution contains something for plants that they actually appreciate: nitrogen. Provided there is enough moisture, plants with more nitrogen are able to store a lot more carbon, which results in increased productivity.

However, all of this should be considered with the old adage “nothing is bad in moderation.” Obviously, when global warming reaches such an extent that ice caps melt and flood our world, killing the trees that are benefitting from this increased temperature, the whole “lengthened growth season” thing is somewhat negated. And when we all start falling over because our lungs can’t handle the disgusting air we breathe due to pollution, we won’t have the health to appreciate a very fruitful and productive season (yet another bad pun). So what am I saying? Well, global warming and pollution might actually help us for now, but let us not experiment with this, thinking that there will be no negative repercussions on increased temperatures and more pollution. The study of how global warming affects plant life is ongoing, thanks to a recent National Science Foundation grant to Andrew Burton and colleagues.

News article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021214850.htm

Link to older scientific study by Andrew Burton and colleagues: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120702178/abstract

Question for Discussion: Do you think more measures should be taken to prevent global warming and pollution right now, or should we enjoy the benefits now and let our successors take care of it?