Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring gas that is essential for life on Earth. It is produced by the respiration of living organisms and is also a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and deforestation. While CO2 is commonly referred to as pollution, this classification is not entirely accurate.
CO2 is not toxic to humans or other living organisms, and it does not cause direct harm to the environment in the same way that other pollutants, such as lead or sulfur dioxide, do.
It’s important to note that CO2 is not “bad” or “polluting.” In fact, plants need CO2 to grow, and higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere can actually increase crop yields.
NASA has reported that there has been a significant increase in green vegetation on Earth in recent decades. This is largely due to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), which is acting as a fertilizer for plants. When CO2 levels rise, plants are able to absorb and use more of this gas to photosynthesize and produce more growth. This results in an increase in green vegetation on the planet, as seen from satellite data.
NASA has been monitoring the greening of the Earth using satellite data and other remote sensing technologies. The data show that over the past two decades, the amount of green vegetation has increased significantly, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as the Sahel in Africa and the Asian steppes. These areas have experienced significant increases in rainfall and vegetation growth, which has improved the lives of millions of people.