What is co2?

05.02.25 | Jakob Tresch

CO2 (or carbon dioxide) is an invisible gas that is naturally present in the air. CO2 plays a key role in agriculture because it is essential for plant life. Plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis and release oxygen in return. However, CO2 is also one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) and deforestation, have led to an increase in CO2 levels, intensifying the Earth’s natural greenhouse effect. This contributes to global warming, making CO2 emissions a major environmental concern.

CO2 AND CLIMATE CHANGE

CO2 is a greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have drastically increased CO2 levels, making the planet warmer. This man-made (or anthropogenic) greenhouse effect is driving climate change, leading to rising global temperatures, melting glaciers and ice caps, more extreme weather (storms, droughts, wildfires), changes in ocean acidity, harming marine life and habitat loss for animals and plants

THE CARBON CYCLE

CO2 is constantly moving through nature in a process called the carbon cycle. It is produced naturally when living organisms breathe, when plants and animals decay, and through volcanic eruptions. Human activities, such as industrial production, transportation, and energy generation, release additional CO2 into the atmosphere, disrupting this balance.

In nature, CO2 is absorbed by forests and oceans, which act as carbon “sinks” by storing it. Trees absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, while oceans dissolve and store large amounts of it. However, when we cut down forests or pollute the ocean, these natural carbon sinks become less effective, leading to higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

CO2 and the Food System

The way we produce, transport, and consume food has a significant impact on CO2 emissions. Agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gases, as growing crops, raising livestock, and processing food all require energy and resources. For example, meat and dairy production generate high levels of CO2 and methane (another greenhouse gas), especially from animal feed production and digestion in livestock. Deforestation for farmland also reduces the Earth’s ability to absorb CO2. Additionally, food transportation (especially by air or long-distance trucking) and food waste contribute to unnecessary emissions. Therefore food systems have a huge impact on the total CO2 that is released in to our atmosphere.