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One theory about increasing CO2 levels was that crop production would increase. Plants thrive on CO2, so it was expected it would mean more food such as corn and soybeans. But, a new study indicates the increase might not be as much as expected.
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Piece Description
One theory about increasing CO2 levels was that crop production would increase. Plants thrive on CO2, so it was expected it would mean more food such as corn and soybeans. But, a new study indicates the increase might not be as much as expected.
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Transcript
O2 CROPS NOT TOPS
David Sommerstein
June 11, 2007
Carbon dioxide emissions from our cars and factories are the number one cause of global warming. Scientists have long theorized that more of the gas in the atmosphere could actually help farmers grow bigger plants. But new research from America's Breadbasket is challenging that assumption. David Sommerstein reports:
Lin Warfel's a fourth generation farmer in east-central Illinois. His fields are flat and endless, the soil chunky and black and just about the best in the world. An Interstate highway groans on one side of his cornfield:
"In my career, early on, there was no Interstate past my farm."
As traffic increased over the years, Warfel noticed a strange phenomenon. The crops closer to the Interstate grew bigger than those further away:
"They respond to the carbon dioxide. They can stay greener longer than plants out i...
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Timing and Cues
Host intro: Carbon dioxide emissions from our cars and factories are the number one cause of global warming. Scientists have long theorized that more of the gas in the atmosphere could actually help farmers grow bigger plants. But new research from America's Breadbasket is challenging that assumption. David Sommerstein reports.
Anchor tag (required) "This story is in cooperation with Field Notes Productions"
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