Carbon Dioxide

​

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that is a major contributor to the climate change crisis. Greenhouse gases keep heat in the atmosphere, warming the globe.
   

• Carbon dioxide is created and released into the atmosphere primarily by burning fossil fuels, solid waste, deforestation, and chemical reactions caused by manufacturing processes.
   

• Natural processes such as respiration and volcanic eruptions also contribute to carbon dioxide production.
   

• Fossil fuels are oil, natural gas, and coal.
   

• Carbon dioxide levels have been steadily increasing since the start of the Industrial Revolution, thanks to the rise in manufacturing due to technology and population increase.
   

• In September 2016, carbon dioxide levels rose to 400 ppm (parts per million), which is the highest they have ever been in our lifetime. USA Today explains that this level has not been seen in millions of years.
  
  
  
   

Rice, D. (2016) Carbon dioxide levels cross 400 ppm threshold, likely highest in millions of years. Available at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/sciencefair/2016/09/29/carbon-dioxide-levels-400-ppm-scripps-mauna-loa-global-warming/91279952/ (Accessed: 6 December 2016).