Browsing: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas that plays a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate. It is naturally present in the atmosphere as part of the carbon cycle, where it is exchanged between the air, oceans, plants, and animals. However, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly increased CO₂ concentrations since the Industrial Revolution. Elevated levels of atmospheric CO₂ contribute to global warming and climate change by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Monitoring and reducing CO₂ emissions is a central focus in efforts to mitigate climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and human societies.