Wood burning stoves: Carbon footprint fallacy

Many home owners have rushed to install wood burning stoves in the belief that they are lowering their carbon footprint and helping to save the planet. This idea was originally proposed by Caroline Lucas and the Green Party. They believe that burning wood was preferable to burning coal, which is a fossil fuel that releases carbon when burnt. 


Unfortunately this is a case of not being able to see the wood for the trees. Many trees are now being cut down to provide wood for these fashionable stoves. This is clearly an ecological nightmare. Trees are the lungs of the Earth and keep the air clean and oxigenated. By cutting down trees the Earth's climate will not be improved in the slightest. The people that devised these theories were politicians not scientists. 


It is true we should not be too reliant on burning coal. However, burning wood is not a viable alternative. The wood smoke is extremely injurious and carcenogenic to health. It is very unpleasant for neighbours as well who are forced to enhale the noxious smoke. 


Finally regarding the issue of the climate: cutting down trees will eventually precipitate another ice age. This is because from space trees appear dark and therefore absorb radiation and heat. On the other hand, ice reflects heat back into space via the albido effect. By cutting down trees the world will become rapidly cooler and we are certainly due another ice age soon. Billions of people will die if another ice age arrives. Throughout history we have regularly dipped into ice ages and this is the norm. Remember, pollution has been proven to cool temperatures. We are currently polluting the atmosphere with aircraft and woodstoves, car emissions and so on. If a major volcanic eruption occurs temperatures will become even cooler. 


The Green Party popularised the idea of global warming as a means to gain votes. The carbon myth has proved to be very lucrative for politicians and businessmen. Eminent scientists such as Professor Hal Lewis have spoken out against this myth. We should prepare for another ice age soon and be turning our attention to clean technology such as nuclear fusion.