Previous Next
Pathway sections
1
Introduction
2
Climate vs. Weather
3
The Carbon Cycle
4
A Changing Carbon Cycle
5
Our Changing Climate
6
What’s Next For Our Climate

Section 4 of 6

The carbon cycle is what has kept the climate in our planet relatively in safe balance.

But the carbon cycle has been changing. Let’s see what those changes are and how these changes are related to a changing climate.

Scroll to discover

Think about your daily life, the locations you visit, and the activities you do.

Do you know what parts of your life use carbon?

The carbon cycle changes the more humans add to it.

carbon cycle graphic part 2

Over the past two centuries, human activities have pushed the carbon cycle out of balance, trapping far more heat in the atmosphere than the planet can safely absorb.

Let's see if you can identify human sources of carbon and human activities that reduce carbon sinks.

Sinks vs Sources 2
View in Library

Pretty great work. How have humans changed the balance of the carbon cycle?

Can you think of specific things that you see every day that contribute to changing the carbon cycle?

Human activity has added extra carbon to the atmosphere faster than natural systems can absorb it, shifting the cycle in ways that affect climate, ecosystems, and daily life.

As more greenhouse gases lead to hotter temperatures, what do you think the impacts might be?

Next

Our Changing Climate

Explore Next Section