Let's NotTry to Control Carbon Dioxide Emissions

    In the May 28th issue of Chemical and Engineering News, Cheryl Hogue and Melody Bomgardner report on the G-8 Summit Meeting, attended by leaders of the eight worlds largest economic countries. The G-8 agreed to establish and share best practices for energy production, including hydraulic fracturing and deep water drilling, phase out of existing subsidies for fossil fuels, universal access to clean, safe and affordable energy, advanced energy efficiency of appliances and equipment, and improved food security and nutrition in developing countries. I agree completely with all of the above.
    Separately, three private companies announced plans to participate in the food security and nutrition program. Hopefully, this will be without government subsidy.
    The subject of climate change was also addressed. It was agreed to reduce emissions of short-lived pollutants that contribute to global warming. I'm not sure what, short-term pollutants are, but methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons were mentioned. I doubt that hydrofluorocarbons are short-term pollutants.
    The G-8 pledged to continue efforts to reduce emissions of all greenhouse gases and to support international negotiations for a new climate change treaty that will apply to both industrialized and developing countries. Carbon dioxide was not specifically mentioned as a greenhouse gas, but was implied. The leaders pledged to continue efforts to reduce emissions of all greenhouse gases and to support international negotiations for a new climate change treaty that will apply to both industrialized and developing countries. While carbon dioxide was not specifically named, it may be implied to be included within the international negotiations. If so, I strongly object, although I agree with the other three. There is no proof that carbon dioxide is a significant greenhouse gas above other gases naturally present in the atmosphere and its attempted control would cause a financial disruption of trillions of dollars.