Ruth Orji
Claim: CO2 is a dangerous pollutant.
A couple of years ago, @TheFraiserInstitute, a YouTube page, made a post stating that CO2 is not a pollutant. He proceeded to expound the positive sides of CO2.
This post has since gathered 6,167 views; 125 likes; 49 comments; 23 shares.
NatureNews, Africa’s foremost newspaper on climate change, which is dedicated to providing accurate insights to stop the spread of fake news particularly among users of social media, subjected the claim to fact checking.
Findings: Using the Google search tool in conducting this research, NatureFact, the fact checking unit of NatureNews, accessed a few papers and studies.
A thorough fact-checking investigation has revealed that this claim is true.
@RightVoiceRefined stated that CO2 isn’t a pollutant but it can cause pollution when condensed in a place.
@DismantleTheMatrix stated that C02 grows trees and are used for sealing. But it can lead to environmental degradation if a large quantity of it is released in places where it shouldn’t be.
@GlobalWeirding stated the same thing.
@PatriotReportDaily stated that the CO2 we breathe out is not a pollutant.
https://youtube.com/shorts/9kISA8zSiGQ?si=CR0bHX0tn2tQRIcp
@ClimateAdam states that CO2 in it’s natural form is harmless but when changed can be disastrous.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is indeed a greenhouse gas. While it’s a naturally occurring gas, human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and land-use changes have significantly increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.
Excess CO2 contributes to:
1. Global warming: Traps heat, leading to rising temperatures.
2. Climate change: Alters weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems.
3. Ocean acidification: Increases acidity, harming marine life.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and international organizations like the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognize CO2 as a pollutant if it condenses at a place.
Verdict: True. CO2 is not a pollutant in it’s natural form.
