Transcript the carbon cycle and global warming

THE CARBON CYCLE
AND
GLOBAL WARMING
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CARBON CYCLE

Movement of carbon
between the atmosphere,
oceans, biosphere, and
geosphere
2
BIOLOGICAL CARBON CYCLE

The movement of carbon through the processes of photosynthesis
and cellular respiration

Also, the consumption of living matter by other organisms

The amount of carbon cycled through annually is a 1,000 times
greater than the geological carbon cycle component
3
RELEASE OF CARBON DIOXIDE

CO2 is also
released into
the atmosphere
by:
1. Decaying dead matter
2. Forest fires
3. Volcanoes
4. Burning of fossil fuels
(coal, oil, gas)
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5
HUMAN IMPACT


Since the onset of the industrial
revolution, burning of fossil fuels and
deforestation have lead to increase of
atmospheric CO2
There is strong evidence that supports the
idea that these activities increase the
atmosphere’s ability to hold in heat
(greenhouse effect) and is resulting in
climate change (global warming)
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GREENHOUSE EFFECT



Greenhouse effect: process
by which carbon dioxide and
other gases in the
atmosphere absorb infrared
radiation from the sun,
forming a “heat blanket”
around the Earth
Some sunlight is reflected and
other is trapped as heat to
warm the Earth
Enhanced greenhouse effect:
caused from an increase of
carbon dioxide, methane, and
nitrous oxides from human
activities into the air which
traps more heat and raises
the temperatures of the
Earth’s surface
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CLIMATE CHANGE


Global Warming: an
average increase in the
Earth's temperature, which in
turn causes changes in
climate. (Different than
weather)
A warmer Earth may lead to
changes in
1.
2.
3.

rainfall patterns
A rise in sea level
A wide range of impacts on
plants, wildlife, and humans
When most scientists talk
about the issue of climate
change, their concern is
about global warming caused
by human activities.
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