Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
CO2, or carbon dioxide, is a greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere through human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. It contributes to global warming by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.