What does c02 have to do with climate change?

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide traps heat. It also lingers in the atmosphere for centuries. So the amount of CO2 humans released between 1800 and 2000 will continue impacting our environment for hundreds of years into the future. Yet we continue pumping up the level.

Think of CO2 as a blanket. Blankets do not generate heat (except electric blankets). When you first crawl into a cold bed, it takes your body time to warm up. If you have only one thin blanket on a cold night, it may radiate heat almost as fast as your body generates it. By adding more blankets, you trap that heat and can stay warm. CO2 behaves in much the same way. If you have too many blankets, you may get too hot and need to peel some of them off. Earth has too much CO2, currently. Levels have not been this high in millions of years. The environmental consequences of this excess CO2 may prove catastrophic for global economies dependent on cheap ocean freight.

Answer 2

Yes. Since the Industrial Revolution man has been burning fossil fuels in industry, transport and in the generation of electricity. This releases extra carbon that has been out of circulation for millions of years. This extra carbon dioxide is contributing to the accelerated greenhouse effect which is causing global warming.

Answer 3

Co2 (Carbon dioxide) apparently contributes to the thickening of the atmosphere. The atmosphere thickening means that it retains more heat that can't exit through the atmosphere and therefore heats up the Earth. But don't worry about it too much- climate change is natural.