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Carbon dioxide (CO2)

People breathe it out, plants breathe it in: a perfect balance, at least in theory. This colorless gas is produced during respiration, organic decomposition, and combustion. Plants absorb CO2 from the air in photosynthesis, and humans, too, have put it to good use: in refrigeration, carbonation of beverages, fire extinguishers, and dry ice (in its solid state). It's only at high levels that CO2 creates trouble: Carbon dioxide is one of two by-products of fossil fuel combustion (the other being water), and its levels in the atmosphere have increased more than 35 percent over the past century and a half, making it one of the most significant greenhouse gases and a major contributor to global warming.

 

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Word of the Day
   Bagasse

Here's a sweet find: This byproduct of sugarcane processing is a type of biomass, an organic, non-petroleum fuel source. Bagasse is the fibrous material left over after sugarcane stalks are pressed to release their juice. Rather than tossing this material away, workers can burn it, providing the fuel to run the mill itself, or creating energy to sell to a local utility company. It's a clean, efficient process, and entirely free of waste, since the ash left over after burning can then be used in the sugarcane fields to enrich the soil. Alternatively, bagasse fiber can be used as a sturdy, biodegradable substitute for cardboard or polystyrene-in food containers, for example. It's yet another reason to feel good about your sugar fix.
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   How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

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