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“How can speed bumps possibly have any effect on trees”, you’re probably wondering. Stay with me for a moment.
Step one: Engineering research has shown that speed bumps increase carbon dioxide emissions.
The traffic-calming measures double the carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption by forcing drivers to brake and accelerate repeatedly, according to a study commissioned by the AA. A car that achieves 58.15 miles per gallon travelling at a steady 30mph will deliver only 30.85mpg when going over humps.
Notice how Brits refer to speed bumps as a “traffic-calming” measure. A euphemism if I ever heard one. And, yes, in the UK, gasoline is still sold by the gallon—Imperial gallon, that is.
Step two: Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been found to stimulate growth of trees.
Results of a decade-long study on primarily aspen trees near Rhinelander, Wis., suggest that elevating carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere may prolong the growing season for northern forests.
. . .
“We’re seeing about a 30 to 40 percent enhancement in growth and that’s been maintained pretty much throughout the 10 years of the experiment,” Michigan Technological University Forestry Professor David Karnosky said.
There you have it: Speed bumps increase CO2 emissions, which in turn encourage tree growth.
Isn’t climate science fun!
h/t: Eye on Britain and Greenie Watch
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Actually in Britain petrol is sold by the litre, but fuel consumption still tends to be expressed in miles per gallon.
We use metric measures (because we are forced to by the government and big business) but we don’t really understand (or like) them.
Thanks, Welsh Jacobite. I should have remembered that. We, too, are forced by our government to use metric measures, else we’d still be using Imperial gallons.