If there was no carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere, the temperature of the earth would be

Key Points

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a significant greenhouse gas that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere.
• If there were no carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect would be significantly reduced.
• This reduction in the greenhouse effect would lead to lower temperatures on Earth compared to the present.
• The presence of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases is crucial for maintaining the Earth's temperature at a level that can support life.

Additional Information

• The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space, and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.
• Without the greenhouse effect, the average temperature of the Earth would be about -18°C (0°F), rather than the current average of around 15°C (59°F).
• Human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased concentrations of greenhouse gases, leading to global warming and climate change.