Is there a relationship between rising CO2 levels and increased surface temperatures?

Question

HIX Tutor · Accepted Answer

undefined Yes, there is a relationship! Here is how it works step-by-step:

1. **CO2 is a Gas:** Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that we make when we burn fuels like gasoline and coal.

2. **Heat Trapping:** CO2 can trap heat from the sun in the Earth’s atmosphere. This is called the greenhouse effect.

3. **More CO2 Leads to More Heat:** As we add more CO2 to the air, it traps more heat, making the Earth warmer.

4. **Rising Temperatures:** Because of this extra heat, surface temperatures (like the ground and air) rise.

5. **Science Shows It:** Scientists study the weather and climate and see that as CO2 levels rise, temperatures also rise.

So, more CO2 in the air can lead to higher temperatures!

Olivia Akins · Answer

Yes, there is a relationship between rising #"CO"_2# levels and increased surface temperatures.

Carbon dioxide, or #"CO"_2#, is a greenhouse gas. This means that the longwave radiation emitted by Earth is partially absorbed by #"CO"_2# in our atmosphere, and a portion of that absorbed energy is re-emitted down to Earth. However, if you have any doubts, I highly recommend that you read peer-reviewed research on climate change published in reputable scientific journals like Science or Nature. You can find these papers easily by searching Google Scholar; make sure to look for publications that the article was published in and how many times it has been cited (higher the better). A "scientific paper" that has very few citations and is published in a poorly reputable scientific journal is not nearly as reliable as a highly cited scientific paper that appears in Nature.

Isaac Ayoub · Answer

undefined Yes, there is a well-established relationship between rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and increased surface temperatures. This relationship is a key component of the greenhouse effect, where certain gases, including CO2, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. As CO2 levels increase due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, more heat is retained in the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect on the Earth's surface. This phenomenon, known as global warming, has been extensively studied and is supported by a wealth of scientific evidence, including observations, computer models, and paleoclimate data.