Carbon dioxide

Discovery
Carbon dioxide was discovered by Joseph Black, a Scottish chemist and physician, in 1754.

Quick Facts

 * Name: Carbon Dioxide
 * Chemical Formula: CO2
 * Melting Point: 194.7 K (-78°C, -109 °F) (Sublimes)
 * Boiling Point: 216.6 K (-57°C, -70°F) (Sublimes)
 * Appearance: Colourless gas
 * Molar Mass: 44.010 g/mol

Discussion questions and essay ideas

 * What role does carbon dioxide play in climate change on Earth?
 * What is the evidence that points to carbon dioxide emissions playing a significant role in climate change on Earth?

Carbon dioxide and climate change
Increases in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other long-lived greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and ozone have strengthened their absorption and emission of infrared radiation, causing the rise in average global temperature since the mid-20th century. Carbon dioxide is of greatest concern because it exerts a larger overall warming influence than all of these other gases combined.

Wikipedia
As noted above, "Carbon dioxide is of greatest concern [of the various greenhouse gases] because it exerts a larger overall warming influence than all of these other gases combined."
 * List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions
 * Top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions
 * Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States
 * List of U.S. states and territories by carbon dioxide emissions
 * Greenhouse gas emissions by China
 * List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions
 * List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions per capita
 * List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions per person
 * Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of energy sources
 * Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere
 * List of U.S. states and territories by carbon dioxide emissions

External

 * Just 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions, study says
 * Sources of carbon dioxide emissions