Earth ID: 12222

Rising CO2 Levels Greening Earth

Released on April 25, 2016

This image shows the change in leaf area across the globe from 1982-2015.

Image credit: Boston University/R. Myneni

From a quarter to half of Earth’s vegetated lands has shown significant greening over the last 35 years largely due to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change on April 25. The greening represents an increase in leaves on plants and trees equivalent in area to two times the continental United States.

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Credits

Ranga Myneni (Boston University): Scientist
Kayvon Sharghi (USRA): Producer
Sophia Roberts (USRA): Producer
Sophia Roberts (USRA): Editor
Samson K. Reiny (Wyle Information Systems): Writer
Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Technical Support

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center