Carbon dioxide (CO₂) plays a complex role in Earth's climate and ecosystem. As the foundation of photosynthesis, CO₂ is vital for plant growth, supporting food production and maintaining soil moisture through healthy vegetation. However, CO₂ is also a prominent greenhouse gas—its molecules trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet and making Earth habitable. Problems arise when CO₂ concentrations increase rapidly, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution. This surge has caused present-day levels to reach their highest values in millions of years, far above the pre-industrial era.
High CO₂ levels amplify the greenhouse effect, raising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and increasing sea levels. If atmospheric CO₂ were drastically reduced, Earth’s climate could cool excessively; history shows that past glacial periods coincided with lower CO₂. Yet, in today’s era, CO₂ is not at a minimum but at a significant peak, and further increases pose risks including more frequent extreme weather events. Therefore, while CO₂ is indispensable for life, its balance is crucial—too little can trigger glaciations, too much drives global warming. Managing CO₂ levels is key to ensuring both climate stability and ecological health