What is Carbon Dioxide (CO2)?
CO2 is a byproduct of the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. It also occurs naturally, and plays an important role in regulating the Earth’s temperature. A layer of water vapor, CO2, and other compounds covers the Earth’s atmosphere. Similar to the glass of a greenhouse, this layer helps regulate the Earth’s climate by balancing the planet’s absorption of heat from the sun and its capacity to re-radiate heat back into space. However, too much CO2 causes excess heat to be trapped in the atmosphere, forcing global temperatures upward, the phenomenon known as “global warming.
Carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas attributed to human activities. The major source of CO2 emissions is fossil fuel combustion. CO2 emissions are also a product of forest clearing, biomass burning, and non–energy production processes such as cement production. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere increased 35% from approximately 280 parts per million (ppm) in pre–industrial times to 379 ppm in 2005 according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2005 State of the Climate Report. Present CO2 concentrations are higher than at any time in at least the last 420,000 years.
Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound, CO2, which is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. Carbon dioxide occurs in nature during respiration, combustion, and organic decomposition. It is a part of the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is also a product of the combustion of carbonaceous fuels (e.g., coal, coke, fuel oil, gasoline, and cooking gas). Carbon dioxide, mostly from burning coal, gasoline and other fossil fuels, traps heat that otherwise would radiate into space. Global temperatures increased by about 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.6 degrees Celsius) during the 20th century, and international panels of scientists sponsored by world governments have concluded that most of the warming probably was due to greenhouse gases which contribute to the Greenhouse Effect. – Answers.com What are Greenhouse Gasses? The concentrations of several greenhouse gases have increased over time. Human activity raises levels of greenhouse gases primarily by releasing carbon dioxide. Some of the main sources
CO2 is a byproduct of the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. It also occurs naturally, and plays an important role in regulating the Earths temperature. A layer of water vapor, CO2, and other compounds covers the Earths atmosphere. Similar to the glass of a greenhouse, this layer helps regulate the Earths climate by balancing the planets absorption of heat from the sun and its capacity to re-radiate heat back into space.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas generated from fossil fuel combustion. Scientists believe that CO2 is a leading contributor to climate change. By reducing the amount of CO2 generated by your heating system, you can greatly reduce the amount of CO2 your home adds to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is colorless. At low concentrations, the gas is odorless. At higher concentrations it has a sharp, acidic odor. It will act as an asphyxiant and an irritant. When inhaled at concentrations much higher than usual atmospheric levels, it can produce a sour taste in the mouth and a stinging sensation in the nose and throat.
