To the editor:
I would like to have the chance to defend myself over the remarks made by Elizabeth Thomas (Times, letters, Nov. 23) regarding my letter debating the science of carbon dioxide and global warming.
Elizabeth stated that any high schooler knows that plants emit oxygen during photosynthesis. She then stated that my science was all wrong because I stated that all plants emit carbon dioxide.
For the good of all who must learn the true science behind global warming, I must correct Elizabeth and prove myself right that science has proven that all plant life emits carbon dioxide during the respiration phase while they make sugars for food to survive.
When all plant life dies, rots on the forest floor, or is burned in a fireplace, they also emit carbon dioxide. That's not to mention the obvious fact that all coal and oil is rotted plant life.
Did you also know that levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere change with the seasons and that billions more tons of carbon dioxide are being emitted as we speak by all the dead plant life decaying on all the forest and jungle floors around the world?
It's too bad that Elizabeth Thomas stated that no one should listen to my political views. That sounds like censorship to me, but at least they should know the facts proven by science — and that's why I'm glad for the freedom of the press in our country.
dean burgess
Bass Avenue, Gloucester
