While the global warming debate rages on, it has become apparent that the theory is now widely accepted as fact: while a less technologically-advanced age would have seen humanity's wider impact upon the globe as pure poppycock, more recent studies have shown rather alarming results insofar as CO2 emissions, the gradual disappearance of ice caps in polar areas, shifting climate conditions and its effect on wildlife species worldwide. Plant Research has shown that most of the CO2 to oxygen conversion is provided by algae, and not large bodies of woodland as we were taught in school.

So then, in a more enlightened age but one still ruled by the advancement of industry for capitalistic ends, what solutions are there? Plant Conservation is an important part of the solution, with 2002 seeing the Global Convention on Biological Diversity adopting a global strategy for plant conservation, particularly aiming to see through 2 of its many targets; specifically to protect 50% of the most important areas for plant diversity, and improving plant diversity sustainability via resources, indigenous and local knowledge as well as practicable innovations.Another important part of the conservation is plant education: teaching the youth of today the importance of plants and highlighting the possible reliance humanity may one day place upon them.

With so much research and related plant science in action, our chances of reducing the global effects of the greenhouse effect are improving, but it has long been known that it will require a colossal collective effort on the part of the human race to find a happy medium between environmentalism and economics.

About the Author

Roy Hannant provides Plant research with interesting articles. Please visit www.kew.org for more information.