Carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide (CO2), a gas that is essential to life on earth, is generated by the burning of fossil fuels such as wood, oil, and coal and by the decomposition of organic matter. Approximately 57 percent of greenhouse gases, of which CO2 is one, come from the burning of fossil fuels. Land clearing also contributes to CO2 in the atmosphere. A large amount of CO2 is found in deposits in the floors of the earth’s oceans. When this gas is released into the atmosphere, it remains and helps to trap Radiation solar Solar radiation solar radiation in a process that has been shown to contribute to climate change. Carbon dioxide Greenhouse gases carbon dioxide POLLUTANTS AND TOXINS Carbon dioxide ATMOSPHERE AND AIR POLLUTION Carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide Greenhouse gases carbon dioxide