How+is+the+balance+of+the+carbon+cycle+affected?

1. Carbon fits into the picture of the greenhouse effects and global warming because carbon is everywhere, its always floating around continuously and it is stored in basically everything plants, animals, animals feces and it moves from animal to animal and a long time ago when these animals died they compacted on top of each other underground underneath layers and layers of rock and sand, over the years its produced oil, gas, and coal and then humans around we started using these resources in good and bad ways, we suck the carbon out of the ground which is old carbon mixing with the good carbon and its so much carbon and it's filling up the atmosphere faster than plants and oceans can absorb so with that being there is more heat being kept in which is having a massive impact on the environment, that is carbons role in greenhouse effects and global warming.

2. Carbon cycle- The biological cycle by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is converted to carbohydrates by plants and other photosynthesizers, consumed and metabolized by organisms, and returned to the atmosphere through respiration, decomposition, and the combustion of fossil fuels.

Carbon source- is any activity that emits Carbon Dioxide. Sources can be stationary emitters such as power plants or refineries, or they can be emitted from activities such as driving automobiles. Carbon sink- is a natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates and stores some carbon-containing chemical compound for an indefinite period. So basically our everyday actions make up this cycle the Carbon Dioxide emitted from Power plants, cars, and more is emitted which is the carbon source goes up into the air and the carbon sink takes it all in for any period of time.

Greenhouse Gases- Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the Earth's surface. They include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO2), and water vapor. Although greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, the elevated levels especially of carbon dioxide and methane that have been observed in recent decades are directly related, at least in part, to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and the deforestation of tropical forests.

Greenhouse Effect- The trapping of the sun's warmth in a planet's lower atmosphere due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun than to infrared radiation emitted from the planet's surface

Analogy- Lets say I have a Hummer (source), and the only reason I have this hummer is because of its safety, but the gas price on this hummer is horrendous and I'm spending more money on gas than I'm bringing in. This is not good at all, so I decide to get a Smart car (sink), it may not be as safe and reliable but the gas mileage is 10 times better and also the smart car is better for the environment so instead of safety I decide to get something that is going to be positive in more than one way.

3. Humans have a negative impact on the carbon cycle when fossil fuels are burned, the carbon stored in the fuel is released as a byproduct. Since this is not a natural combustion process, the carbon builds up in the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect. The burning of fossil fuels accounts for over 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions in the United States.

Furthermore, deforestation has a negative effect on the carbon cycle because trees and other forest vegetation are huge producers of oxygen and they take carbon dioxide from the air. Loss of forests and plant life causes carbon dioxide concentrations to build up in the atmosphere, and deforestation has not been slowed but sped up in recent years despite it's extremely negative impact on the atmosphere and environment.

4. Respiration is one thing humans do that has a positive effect on the carbon cycle. We exhale carbon dioxide, which plants use to create and release oxygen, which we then inhale. All animals respire, and it's one of the largest contributors and regulators in the carbon cycle. Another positive thing humans are doing for the carbon cycle is the effort to switch to cleaner forms of energy. Instead of burning fossil fuels and non renewable resources, things like solar energy or hydroelectric power would largely reduce carbon emissions. Some power plants are trying to develop carbon capture and storage systems so that carbon is filtered out of their emissions. Although these projects are slow coming, they will have great impacts and help reduce the amount of carbon we contribute to the greenhouse effect.