Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) is being mercilessly mocked on Twitter after he literally used the scientific process of photosynthesis to deny that climate change is being caused by overproduction of carbon dioxide by humans.
Seriously. Gosar made the remarks during a press conference in which he attacked the Green New Deal after a young person asked him what he is doing to address climate change.
“Unfortunately you haven’t been taught about photosynthesis,” Gosar lectured. “Photosynthesis is where plants take carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. That’s a problem in today’s world. We haven’t taught kids exactly what’s going on in America and in science.”
The problem is that there’s so much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because of human activity that all the plants and trees on Earth cannot clear it out, creating an imbalance that is harming the planet.
According to Axios science editor Andrew Freedman:
The issue isn’t photosynthesis. We’re putting more carbon dioxide into the air each year than plants, trees and oceans can suck out. That is what’s causing rising global temperatures. CO2 levels are the highest they’ve been in at least 800,000 years, and the driving reason is human activity.
So, photosynthesis is not a valid argument in this case, which is why climate activist Brad Johnson mocked Gosar, a trained dentist, on Twitter.
can’t wait to have @DrPaulGosar (the “dr” is for being a dentist) explain how refined sugar can’t cause cavities because Krebs cycle https://t.co/oDo9a9Sq96
— Brad Johnson (@climatebrad) February 28, 2019
You can read more about the Krebs cycle here.
Of course, Gosar saw Johnson’s tweet and attacked him.
Great example here of a complete falsehood. At no point did I say the climate wasn’t changing. Pure lie. And for you or anyone to assert photosynthesis is not a part of the CO2 cycle reflects true ignorance.
— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) February 28, 2019
But that’s not what Johnson said at all, nor did he accuse Gosar of claiming climate change isn’t real. Clearly, the Republican congressman needs to sharpen his reading comprehension skills.
Anyway, Gosar continued ranting about “climate hoax believers” and accused them of “belittling” photosynthesis.
Climate hoax believers lie about my statements and belittle photosynthesis https://t.co/75yd3VG6oy
— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) February 28, 2019
Gosar’s lack of scientific understanding drew further mockery on Twitter, including from Johnson, who returned fire by challenging the Arizona Republican to explain how refined sugar causes cavities.
Do you accept that refined sugar causes cavities?
If so, can you explain how?
— Brad Johnson (@climatebrad) February 28, 2019
yes it’s pretty overwhelming how rising CO2 is making food crops less nutritious https://t.co/9tSoIkrKuy
— Brad Johnson (@climatebrad) February 28, 2019
Your comment is utter ignorance. It’s like saying “there is a glass, so therefore water can’t overflow.”
If you READ a science journal, u’d know the issue is CO2 growth is too much for photosynthesis to handle, which is why forestation is part of the response strategy.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) February 28, 2019
Paul Gosar makes a good case for why nearly all of his siblings supported his opponent
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) February 27, 2019
“Humans require H2O to survive, therefore waterboarding is healthy.”
– @DrPaulGosar— Juneau the Wolfdog (@Juneau_the_Wolf) February 28, 2019
Saying photosynthesis is going to offset climate change is like saying evaporation is going to offset flooding or water is going to offset forest fires
— csallen1204 (@csallen1204) February 28, 2019
We need lipids for normal body functions but too much lipids cause obesity and cardiovascular disease. Are you suggesting that we should eat as much fat as we can? Don’t they teach some biochemistry in dental college?
— J Kannur (@Fighthypocrisy) February 28, 2019
This country really needs more scientists in Congress.
Featured Image: Wikimedia
