Earth getting greener due to rising carbon dioxide levels, global snapshot shows. ABC.

Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have increased plant growth across the planet over the past three decades, a new study has found.

The most comprehensive modelling of remote sensing data so far shows the area on Earth covered by plants in this time has increased by 18 million square kilometres — about 2.5 times the size of the Australian continent — largely due to the fertilising effect of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Well color me surprised. Data showing this has been available for over two decades, and I’ve been publicly pointing it out in speeches and articles for over a decade. Makes a welcome if late change from the usual fact-free demonization of carbon dioxide by the ABC.