What is a significant adverse effect of carbon dioxide?

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that plays a crucial role in the Earth's atmosphere. Its significant adverse effect is that it contributes to global warming and climate change. This process occurs because carbon dioxide absorbs infrared radiation emitted by the Earth, preventing it from escaping into space and thereby trapping heat in the atmosphere. As the concentration of carbon dioxide increases due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, it enhances the greenhouse effect, leading to rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and shifting weather patterns.

While respiratory problems and toxicity are relevant to other gases, and acid rain results mainly from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the critical impact of carbon dioxide lies in its contribution to climate change. This is a pressing global issue, with widespread consequences for ecosystems, sea levels, and weather systems, making it a vital concern in environmental science and policy.