Question

Explain how human activity can affect the carbon cycle.

Answer 1

Today, the carbon cycle is changing. Humans are moving more carbon into the atmosphere from other parts of the Earth system. More carbon is moving to the atmosphere when fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are burned. More carbon is moving to the atmosphere as humans get rid of forests by burning the trees.

Answer 2

Answer:

Human activity can affect the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. When fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas are burned, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere as waste. The clearcutting of forests for lumber and fuel also increases levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because the trees can no longer remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis. If trees are burned in order to be cleared, the burning processes release even more carbon dioxide into the air.