Explain the reasons why the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased dramatically in the past 150 years.
Discussion question:
he climate of the earth is influenced by the amount of solar energy the earth receives and the composition of earth’s atmosphere. The earth has more carbon dioxide in its atmosphere now than it ever has during the existence of humans.
Watch the Click and Learn Video on the HHMI Biointeractive website entitled Paleoclimate: A history of Change at the link https://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/paleoclimate-history-change.
Explain the reasons why the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased dramatically in the past 150 years.
The rise of carbon dioxide effects global temperatures and causes climate change. Climate for the most part has changed throughout the history of the earth, gradually over thousands of years, explain two consequences of rapid climate change to life on earth
Discussion Post 1 reply Uridisee:
Carbon dioxide levels risen over the past 150 years because of excessive released of fossil fuel into the atmosphere. This change occurred during introduction of Industrial Revolution, where the economy transition from hunting to farming techniques. During this period, machine tools were created to assist with gathering more food products while decreasing the usage of human and animal labor. Industrial changes continued as technology advanced in automobiles, railways, metals, and steam power. Production rate of crops improved in quality, quantity, and accessibility by transport services outside local area. Human activities further influenced the amount of carbon dioxide gas released through the usage of oil, gas, and cement. Of the three resources mentioned, the most used CO2 emitter was cement, holding an 8% industrial footprint for the building structure in the environment. Cement production became a global need which increased both population infrastructural and the release of harmful gases. Excessive amount of Carbon dioxide causes the Earth’s temperature to rise which can contribute to floods and soil and water erosions.
Reference:
Nielson, M. (Director). (2018). Paleoclimate: A History of Change.
Rodgers, L. (2018). Climate Change: The massive CO2 emitter you may not know about. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46455844
Discussion post reply Alarice:
The reason why the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has changed so dramatically in the past 150 years is attributed to natural patterns of the Earth’s climate fluctuations and the human desire to control nature to be more efficient, effective, and predictable through the advancement innovative methods and technology. The Industrial Revolution was the start of high levels of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. The industrial burning of fossil fuels contributes to disproportionate amounts of carbon in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time adding to the greenhouse effects that amplify the Earth’s temperatures, promoting drastic changes in climates (Water, Food, and Climate: Local and Global Issues, 2020).
Solar variability and atmospheric composition are the consequences of rapid climate change to our life on the Earth because they both affect the Earth’s temperature through high concentrations of greenhouse gases. The amount of solar radiation that hits the planet has impact on the climate and the composition of the atmosphere (Nielson, 2018). Small changes to the Earth’s orbiting around the sun interfere with the amount of solar energy distributed to the planet. Significant climate change is controlled by the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases increase the Earth’s orbit around the sun, causing the devastation of climate change.
Resources
Nielson, M. (Director). (2018). Paleoclimate: A History of Change.
Water, Food, and Climate: Local and Global Issues. (2020, October 01). Retrieved from Saint Leo University: https://saintleo.brightspace.com/d2l/le/content/106075/Home
