Fact sheet: CO2 what is it?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas that is a natural component of the Earth's atmosphere. It is
also a greenhouse gas, which means that it helps to trap heat in the atmosphere and keep the planet warm.
However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have
significantly increased the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate
change.
Sources of CO2 Emissions
The following are some of the main sources of CO2 emissions:
Fossil fuel combustion: Burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy and transportation releases large
amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Deforestation: Trees absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, so when forests are cut down, this stored
CO2 is released into the atmosphere.
Industrial processes: Various industrial processes, such as cement production, also release enormous
amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Effects of Increased CO2 Concentration
The following are some of the effects of increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere:
Global warming: CO2 is a greenhouse gas, which means that it helps trap heat in the atmosphere.
Increased CO2 concentrations have led to a rise in global temperatures.
Climate change: Global warming caused by increased CO2 concentrations is causing changes in
weather patterns, sea level rise, and other climate-related effects.
Ocean acidification: When CO2 is absorbed by the ocean, it reacts with seawater to form
carbonic acid, which makes the ocean more acidic. This can have significant impacts on ocean
ecosystems.
Ways to Reduce CO2 Emissions
Use renewable energy: Switching to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, can
reduce the amount of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels.
Energy efficiency: Improving energy efficiency in buildings and transportation can reduce the
amount of energy needed, and therefore the amount of CO2 emissions.
Carbon capture and storage: This technology involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial
processes and storing them underground, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.
Reforestation: Planting more trees and preserving existing forests can help absorb and store CO2
from the atmosphere.
Some important fact
CO2 is a greenhouse gas that helps to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the
greenhouse effect and global warming.
CO2 levels in the Earth's atmosphere have increased by more than 40% since the pre-industrial era,
largely due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, is the largest source of CO2 emissions,
accounting for about 75% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
Other human activities that contribute to CO2 emissions include transportation, industrial processes,
and agriculture.
The effects of increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere include rising global temperatures, melting
glaciers and ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent and severe weather events such as
hurricanes, droughts, and floods.
To combat the effects of CO2 emissions, many countries have pledged to reduce their greenhouse
gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are also being developed to capture CO2 emissions
from power plants and industrial processes and store them underground to prevent them from
entering the atmosphere.
Individuals can also take action to reduce their carbon footprint and lessen their impact on the
environment by using energy-efficient appliances, driving less, eating a plant-based diet, and
supporting policies and businesses that prioritize sustainability.
: It consists of two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring gas in the Earth's atmosphere, and it plays a crucial role in
regulating the Earth's temperature by trapping heat and keeping the planet warm enough to sustain life.
However, in recent years, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has been increasing due to human
activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, and deforestation. This has led to an
increase in the Earth's surface temperature, a phenomenon known as global warming 1.
According to observations by the NOAA Global Monitoring Lab, in 2021 carbon dioxide alone was
responsible for about two-thirds of the total heating influence of all human-produced greenhouse gases 2.
Another reason carbon dioxide is important in the Earth system is that it dissolves into the ocean like the fizz
in a can of soda. This process is known as ocean acidification and can lead to harmful effects on marine life,
such as the inability of some organisms to build their shells or skeletons 3.
While CO2 is essential for life on Earth, too much of it can be dangerous. Increased levels of CO2 in the
atmosphere have been linked to respiratory diseases from smog and air pollution, extreme weather events,
food supply disruptions, and increased wildfires 1.
In conclusion, while carbon dioxide is necessary for life on Earth, the increased concentration of CO2 due to
human activities such as burning fossil fuels has led to global warming, ocean acidification, and other
dangerous consequences. It is important that we take steps to reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate the
effects of climate change.
Sources : https://www.american.edu/sis/centers/carbon-removal/fact-sheet-carbon-capture-and-use.cfm
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/greenhouse-gases
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-
carbon-dioxide
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ocean-acidification/
