Have Humans Changed the Carbon Cycle?

Previously in Sci-ber Text you learned how carbon compounds can cycle between living organisms and the environment. Remember that there is a wide variety of compounds which are made of carbon. This Web page allows you to look at evidence and determine if humans are influencing the carbon cycle.

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has noted that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been increasing since 1850. Think about the changes that have happened with humans since 1850. What do you think may contribute to this increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? You may have considered the use of fossil fuel-driven engines because many more of these exist now than previously. Perhaps you realized that a greater number of humans on the planet could result in the burning of more fuels for heating and cooking. There is probably not just a single correct answer to this question.

List as many activities as you can in which humans may influence the carbon cycle. How many things did you find on your list? Compare your list with a peer, if there are differences, combine the lists to create a "super list."

Now rank your list based on how much influence you believe humans have on that aspect of the carbon cycle. For example, the area which you feel has changed the most by human activities should be highest on your list.

Try It!

With adult permission, determine how you can experiment with one of the activities you have listed. See if you can prove that it produces carbon dioxide as a by-product. (For example, if you thought that making soda to drink was a factor, you might try making homemade rootbeer using dry ice. To prove that carbon dioxide is given off, you could put a lit candle nearby and observe what happens when the "fog" leaves the rootbeer.)