Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Carbon dioxide is a colorless gas that is naturally present in the Earth's atmosphere. It plays a crucial role in regulating temperature through the greenhouse effect but excessive amounts contribute to global warming.
Related terms
Greenhouse Effect: Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming.
Climate Change: Excessive carbon dioxide emissions from human activities are driving climate change by altering natural weather patterns and causing long-term shifts in temperature.
Emissions: Carbon dioxide emissions refer to the release of this gas into the atmosphere from various sources like burning fossil fuels or deforestation.