Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Global Warming

Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere primarily through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products. Carbon dioxide is also removed from the atmosphere when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle. Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide emissions, occur naturally in the atmosphere in small amounts. With the depletion of the ozone layer, the excess amounts of greenhouse gases are "trapped" in the atmosphere, heating the Earth at an alarming rate.

The growing amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere is contributing to global warming. Many daily human activities, such as driving a car or using electricity spur the emission of carbon dioxide into the air. With our ever-growing population and reliance on the burning of fossil fuels, there has been an increase of use in recent years. This is due in part to everyday human activities and our reliance on burning coal, oil, natural gas and wood for energy. Carbon dioxide emissions are also mixing in with the air we breathe each day, threatening the health of the entire population now and for the future.

Click here to learn more about how to reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions.