Global CO Emissions, 2002-2005

This article features a video that shows worldwide production, transport, and distribution of carbon monoxide (CO) in the atmosphere. CO is a poisonous gas that prevents the atmosphere from filtering other pollutants. CO also helps form ozone gas, which is harmful to life when it appears in the lowest reaches of the troposphere where we get the air we breathe. About two-thirds of the world's CO comes from human activity. CO gas is produced by the burning of fossil fuels in automobiles and industry and by the burning of vegetation for agriculture and land clearing. It is also a product of natural forest and grassland fires. An instrument on NASA's Terra satellite called Measurement Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) is providing the first global measurements of invisible carbon monoxide gas in the lower atmosphere, or troposphere. There are links to five sites for more in-depth information and a link that leads to educational activities. Educational levels: High school, Middle school