Air temperature plays a crucial role in regulating ecosystem functions, particularly the release of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) that drive biosphere–atmosphere interactions. Among these, sesquiterpenes (SQTs) are especially important due to their dual role as ecologically significant compounds and highly reactive atmospheric constituents. Although the relationship between temperature and biogenic emissions is complex, global emission estimates often rely on oversimplified models that assume a uniform exponential response across ecosystems and conditions. To address this, we synthesize two decades (1997–2019) of SQT emission studies, revealing substantial variability in both temperature responses and basal emission rates, largely influenced by plant functional types (PFTs) and environmental cofactors. Incorporating PFT-dependent parameterizations into emission-chemistry simulations demonstrates sensitive feedbacks on atmospheric processes, including ground-level ozone (O₃) production and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. Notably, we find a statistically significant decline in SQT temperature responses over time, suggesting that environmental changes are reshaping the fundamental link between temperature and SQT emissions. This meta-analysis identifies the temperature sensitivity of sesquiterpenes (βSQT) as a critical parameter at the interface of the biosphere, environmental change, and atmospheric processes, with far-reaching effects on air quality and climate. Ultimately, our findings highlight the potential of βSQT to serve as a “volatile stressometer” for ecosystem–atmosphere interactions, where environmental stresses modulate emission responses with cascading consequences for atmospheric chemistry and climate-vegetation feedbacks.