Why does the level of carbon dioxide affect the global temperature?

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide (and other gases) creates a "blanket" around the earth trapping heat in the atmosphere. If these "greenhouse" gases were not there some of the heat would escape from the earth's atmosphere

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carbon dioxide is transparent to visible light but opaque to infrared light (i.e. heat).

When sunlight passes through the atmosphere and heats the surface of the earth the earth radiates infrared light. At low levels of carbon dioxide most of this infrared escapes to space, cooling the earth; but at high levels of carbon dioxide most of this infrared is reflected back down to the surface of the earth, keeping it hot.

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas, that is, it is able to absorb infra-red heat rising from the surface of the earth. So if CO2 levels in the atmosphere are higher, then more warmth is absorbed and the atmosphere becomes hotter.

This is what is happening now. Through deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, CO2 levels are rising in the atmosphere, causing global warming.

Answer 3

yes