Carbon dioxide is the most radiative force in the environment, it has a stronger positive force than all other radiative forces. A radiative force is a change in Earthβs incoming minus outgoing radiative energy flux.
When carbon dioxide is released into the air it can stay in the atmosphere for thousands of years. I found it fascinating to learn that the carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere can last much longer than our lifetime. We may not even see the effect of our own personal pollution, but it will affect generations after us.
There are many contributions to radiative force and positive feedback including deforestation, solar luminosity and ice-albedo. Deforestation and solar luminosity increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which in turn increases the temperature of the Earth.