Did you know that when Mount St. Helen's had blown its top in 1980, that it had spewed more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than that of all the world's automobiles from day one?
Utter
St Helens contributed 0.1Gt in 1980. In 1980 the US alone contributed 4.7Gt total CO2 from burning fossil fuel and making cement.
20.8t per capita x 226.5million = 4.7Gt CO2
Volcanic Gases and Climate Change Overview
CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita) | Data | Table
http://www2.census.gov/prod2/statcom...ts/1981-02.pdf
Can't find figures for 1980, but for 1990 the US emitted 0.97Gt CO2 from "motor gasoline".
Ten times the amount emitted by St Helens.
Table 10:
EIA - Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the U.S. 2008-Carbon Dioxide Emissions
To be sure, the planet doesn't need us to "save itself."
Absolutely. Just that your descendants likely won't enjoy the pleasant climate you do. The planet doesn't give a toss and can do very well without us.
The sad thing is that even though I've clearly demonstrated he is so very, very wrong he'll keep quoting such bull**** without questioning. That, my friends, is
faith without reason.