Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere primarily contribute to climate change, and the most significant harmful effect is that CO2 traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. When CO2 and other greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, they allow sunlight to enter, but they prevent some of the heat that the Earth emits from escaping back into space. This leads to an increase in global temperatures, which can have a wide range of negative impacts on the environment and human health.
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Climate Change: Higher CO2 levels are linked to global warming, leading to more extreme weather, rising sea levels, and other climate-related issues.
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Health Risks: While CO2 itself isn't directly harmful to human health at typical atmospheric concentrations, increased temperatures and climate change can exacerbate air quality problems (like smog) and increase allergens, potentially worsening conditions such as asthma.
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Impact on Ecosystems: Climate change can disrupt ecosystems, affecting plant and animal life. Some plants may benefit from increased CO2, but the overall effect on biodiversity can be negative.
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Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 is also absorbed by oceans, leading to ocean acidification, which harms marine life, especially organisms like corals and shellfish.
In summary, while CO2 contributes to asthma indirectly through its role in climate change and air quality, the primary concern of rising CO2 levels is their effect on global temperatures and climate systems.