The Solar Lab in Your Backyard

As we know, animals consume oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide. The air we breathe contains about 20% oxygen and only 0.03% carbon dioxide..  

Given this situation, and since the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere is limited, one might assume that oxygen could eventually run out, leading all animals to perish. Indeed, this is what some scientists believed — that it was all random chance. However, those who understood that there is a higher power, Hashem, who governs creation, maintained calm in the full trust that since Hashem desires the world’s existence, the issue was surely 'arranged'.'.

And indeed, as scientific research progressed, the secret was uncovered: The plant world requires vast amounts of carbon to grow its trunks, stems, branches, leaves, and fruits. Logic would suggest that it must utilize carbon materials for this purpose..

Yet, surprisingly, it was discovered that Hashem endowed plants with a special mechanism that participates in an amazing natural cycle. The plant world uses carbon from the air, released by the animal world, to sustain themselves, and the animal world uses the oxygen from the air, released by the plants!

Extensive research has revealed that green plants contain an exceptional laboratory that even the brightest human minds haven't been able to replicate. By utilizing air, sunlight, and carbon dioxide, green plants create sugars(!) necessary for their survival, and in this process, they release oxygen into the air! Thanks to this reciprocal cycle, the oxygen so vital to our survival never runs out.

However, that is not all. Without constant observation, control, and regulation, it’s clear that naturally, there is no way to maintain a consistent level of oxygen in the air. After all, an unchecked natural or artificial increase in plant life compared to animal life would increase the percentage of oxygen in the air.

Conversely, a boom in animal populations relative to plant life would increase the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air. We might overlook this if it didn’t have dire consequences. As is known, a burning fire consumes oxygen, and the higher the percentage of oxygen in the air, the more rapidly and violently the fire will spread. The amount of oxygen in the air we breathe is about 20%. This is the required amount for our bodies, which need oxygen to function well and comfortably..

If the amount of oxygen in the air were to increase significantly, any lightning strike or even a burning matchstick could cause a global conflagration(!) consuming all plant and animal life. On the other hand, if the amount of oxygen in the air were to decrease dramatically, breathing would become extremely difficult, and life would become a nightmare. Who has been maintaining this precise balance for thousands of years?