CO2

CO₂, also called carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide, is an odorless and colorless gas present in the atmosphere formed by two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom.

CO₂ finds its main application in various vital and industrial processes:
‍

1. Carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce oxygen and glucose. The plants absorb the CO₂ through small pores called stomata, present on their surface and combine it with the water absorbed by the roots. Chlorophyll, a pigment found in plants, uses solar energy to catalyze this reaction, producing glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O₂), both essential for life on Earth;
   ‍

2. At an industrial level, CO₂ is used to produce carbonated beverages and, in solid form (dry ice), for refrigeration and freezing. In greenhouses, it can be added to accelerate plant growth by improving the photosynthesis process. In addition, it is used in the production of some fertilizers and as a protective gas in welding processes, preventing the oxidation of molten metal.
   ‍

While useful in these processes, theexcess carbon dioxide due to human activities it represents a serious threat to climate balance and the health of our planet. The problem lies in the fact that, since CO₂ is a greenhouse gas, it traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere. This process, known as Greenhouse effect, is natural and necessary to keep our planet warm enough to support the life of living beings. However, an excess of carbon dioxide intensifies this effect, causing the Global Warming and climate change significant.

In addition to carbon dioxide, there are other gases that contribute to climate change increasing theGreenhouse effect. Every gas has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) specific, which measures its ability to trap heat with respect to CO₂, conventionally set at a base value of 1. Some of these gases have a much higher GWP than CO₂, for example that of methane is about 28 GWP. Despite this, carbon dioxide remains the main gas responsible for the greenhouse effect and when referring to the quantification of emissions and reduction objectives, the CO₂ equivalent.