Carbon dioxide constitutes about 421 ppm(0.04% )of Earth’s atmosphere. While it is a minor component, it plays a crucial role in the Earth’s climate system and the greenhouse effect, influencing the planet’s temperature and climate patterns.
Before the mid-18th century, CO2 concentrations remained relatively steady at 280 ppm for 10,000 years. However, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, human activities, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels, have resulted in a dramatic spike in CO2 levels, approximately a 50% increase.