The inclusion of carbon dioxide as a “pollutant” was made after advanced engineering in motor vehicles virtually eliminated carbon monoxide as an exhaust pipe effluent gas. The introduction of catalytic convertors and exhaust gas recycling systems (for NOX emissions) reduced the level of carbon monoxide and various nitrogen oxides to nearly undetectable levels.
When these two constituents were reduced, the result was a greater amount of carbon dioxide produced. Because “carbon dioxide” sounds a lot like “carbon monoxide”, the two gases were conflated to mean the same thing, but their chemical characteristics are much different.
The propagandists use this to their great advantage when speaking to low-information individuals in general, and those low-information individuals who also vote in particular.
Dumbing-down the educational system works to restore the hierarchical type of organization of society, every time it is applied.
The inclusion of carbon dioxide as a pollutant was made by SCOTUS.