Estimates from NASA’s satellite data has shown that the planet has been greening with more plant mass. This has occurred over the last few decades, expanding green areas by the equivalent of half the landmass of Australia. When more carbon dioxide is available, more plants grow on the land and more phytoplankton grows in the oceans, since carbon dioxide is needed for plants to survive and thrive.
We have seen that in cold times of Earth’s history, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are reduced, glaciers have covered the land, and there were unfavourable conditions for life. In warmer times, plant mass increased and the Earth was significantly greener. Greening of the Earth will also contribute to a cooler planet as increasing biomass uses more sunlight for photosynthesis, reducing the heat absorbed by the land.
These factors are in a dynamic balance, for when there is more carbon dioxide, there is also more carbon dioxide consumption by plants. The oceans are crucial in maintaining this balance: warmer w