From a quarter to half of Earth’s vegetated lands has shown significant greening over the last 35 years largely due to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change on April 25. The greening represents an increase in leaves on plants and trees equivalent in area to two times the continental United States.

Rising CO2 means rising crops yield too. This is called photosynthesis.

And a warmer world means more water vapor in the atmosphere, so more rain.