Carbon dioxide is the foundation for life on Earth—and photosynthesis powers primary productivity across all global ecosystems. No other substance comes close to being so critically important, and targeting CO₂ as a pollutant overlooks its fundamental role in sustaining the biosphere. Policy should focus on adaptation, resilience, and energy abundance, rather than energy restriction. But it doesn't. At a fundamental level, plants, algae, and cyanobacteria use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into simple sugars, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. This biochemical engine supplies the base energy and oxygen for virtually every food web on Earth. Commercial greenhouse operators routinely elevate CO₂ concentrations to 1,000–1,500 ppm, boosting crop yields by 20–70% through enhanced photosynthetic rates and improved water-use efficiency under controlled conditions. Atmospheric CO₂ currently sits at around 427 ppm, and this fertilisation effect is already visible globally. Satellite records (1982–present) show that rising CO₂ has driven an expansion of global green leaf area across 25% to 50% of Earth’s vegetated lands. Global agricultural yields have increased substantially since 1960—a trend driven by agricultural innovation operating alongside elevated atmospheric carbon. Deep-time climate history also offers useful context. During the Miocene epoch (23 to 5.3 million years ago), early hominids evolved in a warm, biodiverse world with CO₂ levels around 400–500 ppm. When modern Homo sapiens emerged during the Pleistocene, roughly 300,000 years ago, CO₂ cycled between 180 and 300 ppm. Today’s return to >400 ppm levels is stimulating terrestrial biomass, expanding green canopy cover across India, China and semi-arid regions. Meta-analyses of experimental studies indicate that a 100 ppm increase in CO₂ typically yields a 25–50% boost in plant biomass under favorable conditions. Debate around atmospheric carbon must recognise these biological realities. These decisions must prioritise ecological productivity and energy abundance over any policies designed to curtail carbon.