key term - CO2

Definition

CO2, or carbon dioxide, is a colorless gas produced by the respiration of living organisms and the combustion of fossil fuels. It plays a crucial role in Earth's energy balance by trapping heat in the atmosphere, making it a significant greenhouse gas that influences climate and weather patterns.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CO2 is naturally present in the atmosphere at about 0.04% by volume, but human activities have significantly increased its concentration since the Industrial Revolution.
2. Carbon dioxide has a long atmospheric lifetime, ranging from hundreds to thousands of years, meaning it can have long-term effects on climate.
3. It is a key driver of global warming, as increased levels of CO2 enhance the greenhouse effect, leading to rising temperatures and changing climate patterns.
4. Ocean acidification occurs when CO2 is absorbed by seawater, leading to harmful impacts on marine ecosystems and organisms such as coral reefs.
5. Efforts to mitigate CO2 emissions include transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting reforestation to absorb more CO2.

Review Questions

• How does CO2 contribute to Earth's energy balance and what impact does this have on climate?
  • CO2 contributes to Earth's energy balance by acting as a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. This process helps maintain a temperature suitable for life but also leads to global warming when CO2 levels rise excessively due to human activities. The resulting increase in average temperatures can cause shifts in climate patterns, affecting weather events and overall ecosystem health.
• Evaluate the role of fossil fuels in increasing CO2 levels and the implications for climate change.
  • Fossil fuels are significant sources of CO2 emissions when burned for energy. This combustion releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect. The reliance on fossil fuels for electricity, transportation, and heating has led to rising CO2 levels, driving climate change and necessitating urgent actions toward cleaner energy alternatives.
• Analyze the potential consequences of increased atmospheric CO2 on marine ecosystems and global climate.
  • Increased atmospheric CO2 leads to higher levels of carbon dioxide being absorbed by oceans, resulting in ocean acidification. This process adversely affects marine life, particularly organisms like coral reefs that rely on calcium carbonate for their structure. The impacts on marine ecosystems can disrupt food chains and biodiversity, while the broader climatic changes associated with higher CO2 levels can lead to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and altered habitats worldwide.

Related terms

Greenhouse Effect: The process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping back into space and thereby warming the planet.

Fossil Fuels: Natural substances such as coal, oil, and natural gas formed from the remains of ancient organisms, which release CO2 when burned for energy.

Photosynthesis:

The process by which green plants and some other organisms convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into glucose and oxygen, acting as a crucial counterbalance to CO2 levels in the atmosphere.