New study finds that CO2 is increasing the rate by which the globe is greening, even under drought

A new study finds that human-caused carbon dioxide emissions are driving increased plant growth that’s greening the Earth, even in areas experiencing drought.

The peer-reviewed study, which was published in the scientific journal Global Ecology and Conservation, finds that the phenomenon known as “global greening” is an indisputable fact. The rate of global greening has increased slightly, and drought has only slowed, but not stopped, the process.

The study, which was done by Chinese and Australian researchers, attributes the greening to carbon dioxide fertilization as well as land management, such as irrigation. The opposite of greening is referred to as browning. The study found that greening acceleration occurred in 55.15% of the globe, while browning occurred in only 7.28%.