The story of Earth's climate can be found locked away in tiny shells scattered throughout ancient rocks. These seemingly modest remains have just helped scientists unravel one of the most significant climate mysteries in our planet's history. Researchers from the University of St Andrews have made remarkable discoveries about the fundamental role of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) in shaping the Earth's climate.

Study provides new insight into how CO ₂ regulated the warming and cooling of the Earth for hundreds of millions of years.

WHAT ₂ : the climate architect of the Earth

WHAT ₂ is the most influential greenhouse gas on Earth. It traps heat from the Sun by absorbing it and radiating some of it back to the planet's surface.

This natural process keeps the Earth warm enough to support life. However, when CO levels ₂ in the atmosphere will increase, the planet will warm, leading to significant climate change. (Sanjana Gajbhiye, more at earth.com)