Portland State study compares climate crisis to ‘mega-colossal’ volcano eruption
Published 2:03 pm Thursday, November 21, 2024
- Climate crisis protesters in Portland.
A new study from a team of researchers at Portland State University compares human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to past catastrophic events on Earth.
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From 1851 to 2021, human activity has produced 3.6 trillion tons of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s similar to asteroid collisions and major volcanic eruptions that were responsible for the last three mass extinction events, according to the study published in the journal Anthropocene Review.
“The genesis of the project was really trying to get a better handle on human activity,” lead researcher and PSU Associate Professor Dr. Hal Nelson told KOIN 6 News. “I think for humans, in general, it’s hard for us to realize as individuals how impactful we are as a species.”
During the study, researchers compared the mass of greenhouse gas emissions to the mass of material kicked up into the atmosphere during planetary events. Among their findings, the researchers said that if produced by a volcano, the total of human-produced greenhouse gas emissions would rank as an eight, or “mega-colossal,” on the 0-8 Volcanic Explosivity Index. That’s equivalent to 73 Krakatoa eruptions, according to the researchers.
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KOIN 6 News is a news partner of the Portland Tribune. Their full story can be found at koin.com.