10 Myths About CO2 and Global Warming

H. Leighton Steward has some information in his new book about CO2 levels, global warming, and the myths associated with both (from US News):

From Steward's book and our interview, here are Steward's top 10 global warming "myths."

Steward's Myth 1: The planet Earth will be healthier with lower CO2 levels.
He says: More CO2 is needed to bolster plant life, which turns the gas into oxygen while also providing food.

Steward's Myth 2: Rising CO2 levels cause temperatures to rise.
He says: Temperatures over time have fluctuated while CO2 levels have remained steady. What's more, temperature increases have historically led increases in CO2 levels.

Steward's Myth 3: Sea levels will rise 20 feet by the end of the century.
He says: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts only a 17-inch rise, and "most climatologists predict a rise of only 7 or 8 inches."

Steward's Myth 4: Scientists unanimously say that CO2 caused by humans is the dominant cause of global warming.
He says: Not so. "Many, many reputable scientists believe that natural factors overpower the current influence of CO2 on global warming."

Steward's Myth 5: The United States is the largest contributor of human-caused CO2.
He says: China, which has no CO2 restrictions, has recently exceeded the United States. Plus, it is "opening a new coal-fired power plant every week, and its production of automobiles is growing at a much more rapid rate."

Steward's Myth 6: Storms are more frequent and intense because of global warming.
He says: "According to the National Hurricane Center, storms are no more intense or frequent worldwide than they have been since 1850. Temperatures were high in the 1920s and 1930s when there was much less CO2 in the atmosphere. Constant 24-7 media coverage of every significant storm worldwide just makes it seem that way. Insist on the facts, not just what some individuals or reporters say to support their cause."

Steward's Myth 7: Polar bears will go extinct if this warm period continues through the 21st century.
He says: "A jawbone of a polar bear has been found that is 120,000 years old, a time during the previous interglacial when temperatures were 5 degrees Celsius warmer and sea level 19 feet higher than today. They adapted then; why not now?"

Steward's Myth 8: CO2 is a pollutant.
He says: "CO2 is a great airborne fertilizer, which, as its concentrations rise, causes additional plant growth and causes plants to need less water."

Steward's Myth 9: As Earth warms, the climate will become much drier and windier.
He says: Ice cores prove the opposite. The colder times were both windier and drier.

Steward's Myth 10: Higher levels of CO2 than the current 385 parts per million in the atmosphere are harmful to humans.
He says: The warning level of CO2 in submarines isn't reached until the atmosphere has 8,000 parts per million of CO2.

There's more here.