Comparison of CO2 levels, Research Paper Example

Abstract

People have been adding Carbon Dioxide to the atmosphere in ever increasing amounts over the past few decades. This research paper, based on a quiz form of assessment, will help to demonstrate a greater understanding of the issues surrounding the increase in the amount of Carbon Dioxide which is present in the earth’s atmosphere. The build-up of this gas has been identified as one of the main causes of global warming, with human activity responsible for the large increases in the amount of this gas in the earth’s atmosphere. This assessment will allow me to demonstrate that I can assimilate, understand and use data around the issue of CO2 build up in the earth’s atmosphere, and how it is changing and developing.

Answers

• The current CO2 concentration stands at 398.35 parts per million, according to April’s data.
• This figure is much higher than the figure has been at for the past 450,000 years.

• Humans add CO2 to the atmosphere in a number of ways. One of the main contributors to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, which power much of the world’s industrial activity. Changing land use is another contributory factor, with forested lands being turned over to pastoral agriculture in many places. Cement usage is also another significant contributory factor.
• The land on the earth, with its plants using photosynthesis, and the world’s oceans remove much of the CO2 from the atmosphere.
• Deforestation makes the process of global warming worse because trees act in a amjor way to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere using the process of photosynthesis. As land which was used for forests becomes used for agriculture instead, animals are farmed, which give out more CO2. This creates a cycle where more CO2 is released into the atmosphere.
• In my opinion, humans are making a major contribution to global warming and the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
• 7. The steep rise in the ratio of CO2 in the atmosphere since 1985 has happened at a much faster rate than would occur naturally. From that data, and the commensurate rise in the amount of heavy industry being used by humans, it is clear that the increase is not natural. Countries such as China now burning even more fossil fuels than other greedy countries like the USA shows that problem is getting worse not better.

Sources

CO2Now.Org, retrieved from http://co2now.org/, 05/12/2013

‘CO2 and Climate Change’, retrieved from http://www.planetseed.com/relatedarticle/co2-and-temperature-change, 05/12/2013