![Vac-High PC-Std. 10kV x900 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-euclayptus2.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
As the climate talks opens in Paris, more than 40,000 delegates from 195 countries are gathering to address—and eventually reverse—the rising concentration of carbon in the atmosphere, which is leading to worldwide climate disruption.
That’s the problem on the macro scale. On the micro scale, at least some of this comes down to “stomata,” the tiny structures found on the outer layer of leaves that absorb carbon dioxide and send oxygen into the atmosphere. The stomata consist of a small pore surrounding by two guard cells. For billions of years these microscopic exhaust valves have helped keep oxygen and CO2 levels balanced in the atmosphere.
But since the dawn of the Industrial Age, we’ve been making their work much harder. As the plants struggle to adapt, the micrographs of photographer Robert Dash reveal the stomata for the elegant—and fragile—things they are.
See more of Robert Dash’s work on his website http://www.robertdashphotography.com/
![Vac-High PC-Std. 10kV x90 (45mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-westernredcedar.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x1100 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-stripedmaple2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x1000 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-canadianyew.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x2000 (45mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-aspendetail.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x700 (45mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-aspen.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x200 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-eucalyptus0.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 10kV x800 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-camasanther3j.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x300 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-douglasfirneedle.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 10kV x150 (45mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-garryoak.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 10kV x270 (45mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-redmaple.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x800 (45mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-paperbirch2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 10kV x900 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-euclayptus2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x440 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-poplar.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x240 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-oregongrape.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Vac-High PC-Std. 15kV x300 (46mm) Robert Dash Show Me the Carbon](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-dash-show-me-the-carbon-horsetail.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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