NOTES 36 – The Carbon Cycle, The Greenhouse Effect, and Global Warming
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Respiration in the mitochondria of plant and animal cells produces CO2 waste, which is released into the atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Photosynthesis in plants (land) and algae (water) remove CO2 from the atmosphere to make glucose during photosynthesis
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Photosynthesis in plants (land) and algae (water) remove CO2 from the atmosphere to make glucose during photosynthesis
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Photosynthesis in plants (land) and algae (water) remove CO2 from the atmosphere to make glucose during photosynthesis
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Photosynthesis in plants (land) and algae (water) remove CO2 from the atmosphere to make glucose during photosynthesis
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Photosynthesis in plants (land) and algae (water) remove CO2 from the atmosphere to make glucose during photosynthesis
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Combustion (burning) of wood, coal, oil, and natural gas add extra CO2 to the atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Combustion (burning) of wood, coal, oil, and natural gas add extra CO2 to the atmosphere
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the Earth’s atmosphere Combustion (burning) of wood, coal, oil, and natural gas add extra CO2 to the atmosphere
Natural CO2 Cycle Disrupted On a global scale, the amount of CO2 put into the atmosphere by respiration is equal to the amount of CO2 removed by photosynthesis. Humans have changed the carbon cycle. The burning of wood and fossil fuels like coal and oil adds more CO2 to the atmosphere. As a result, the CO2 level in the atmosphere is increasing.
Average Monthly CO2 1955-2005
Is CO2 in the atmosphere good or bad? It depends on the amount Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface This makes the Earth warmer
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface which makes it warmer
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface which makes it warmer
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface which makes it warmer
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface which makes it warmer
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface which makes it warmer Solar radiation (heat) arrives from the sun and enters the Earth’s atmosphere
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface which makes it warmer The solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface where some is absorbed and some is reflected
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface which makes it warmer The reflected solar radiation goes back into the atmosphere. Some escapes into space and some is trapped by greenhouse gasses like CO2.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it traps heat close to the Earth’s surface which makes it warmer The trapped solar radiation warms the Earth. Normally, this is good. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be too cold to support life.
Too much of a good thing? More CO2 in the atmosphere means more heat is trapped which means the average temperature of the Earth increases. I like warm days so why should I be concerned about an increase in average global temperatures?
Consequences of Global Warming Sea-level rise (coastal flooding) Drought and Wildfire increase Deadly heat waves Spread of disease (mosquito range expanded) More powerful hurricanes Ecosystem disruption/species die-offs
Is Global Warming a fact? Yes The Earth is definitely getting warmer, and is expected to continue to do so in the future The real debate is whether or not humans are contributing to global warming, and if so, what should be done about it
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Conclusion The IPCC concludes that most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century was very likely caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases which they believe result from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation. Greater than 90% likelihood that most warming over the last 50 years has occurred because of human-caused emissions
But some skeptic scientists believe… …that the temperature increase has not been caused by an increase in greenhouse gases OR… …that the increase in greenhouse gases has not been caused by human activity Could it all be part of a larger natural warming cycle?
What should humans do? Carry on as usual and hope for the best? Stop burning fossil fuels? Figure out ways to adapt to higher average global temperatures?
Concerned? Use less stuff and convince others to do the same – “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”