#CO ELEMENT AFFECTS ON GEOGRAPHY DRIVER#

Questions may arise such as: Are all natural changes good? Are all human-caused effects bad? Is our current climate the 'right' climate? It's important to emphasize that the recent increases in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are unprecedented in the geologic past.

When teaching about the interplay between climate and life, the differences between natural and human caused changes should be emphasized. For example, if a certain amount of a greenhouse gas allows life on Earth to flourish, then is more of it better? This is an ideal opportunity to discuss the difference between natural processes and human effects. A possible misconception is to confuse the natural greenhouse effect with the enhancement of this effect caused by emissions of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel burning (McCaffrey & Buhr, 2008). This is due to the natural greenhouse effect that causes the atmosphere to retain outgoing heat. The planet currently exists at a temperature that is neither boiling nor permanently frozen. Nonetheless, all organisms need certain conditions to live. Students can explore how life exists in many parts of the earth system, such as in the depths of the oceans or in acidic hot springs. This topic can be introduced by brainstorming for conditions that are needed for life to thrive. Teaching these ideas is a way to illustrate how scientific thinking benefits from sharing expertise among different types of scientists. Like much of climate science, these concepts span multiple scientific disciplines. Reuse: If you wish to use this item outside this site in ways that exceed fair use (see ) you must seek permission from its creator. Although the concentrations of greenhouse gases have changed throughout Earth's history, there is no natural analog to today's rapid increases in human-created greenhouse gas emissions.It is not possible to predict the details of specific effects of climate change on each of the world's ecosystems. Changes in climate will result in shifting ecosystems.Unraveling past climatic changes is key to understanding present and future shifts in the climate.Extinctions of species, both in the geologic past and in the present day, can be linked to changes in climate.Throughout geologic history, life on Earth has affected the climate system and vice versa.The conditions on Earth such as temperature, moisture, oxygen concentration, and sunlight, are what sustain life.The manner in which the earth sustains life is of vital importance on many levels. There is a dynamic balance between life and climate The geologic record shows that life has significantly altered the atmosphere during Earth's history.

#CO ELEMENT AFFECTS ON GEOGRAPHY DRIVER#

Life-including microbes, plants, animals and humans-is a major driver of the global carbon cycle and can influence global climate by modifying the chemical makeup of the atmosphere. The agricultural, economic, and transportation systems we rely upon are vulnerable if the climate changes significantly.Į. Modern human societies developed during this time. A range of natural records shows that the last 10,000 years have been an unusually stable period in Earth's climate history. The distribution patterns of fossils show evidence of gradual as well as abrupt extinctions related to climate change in the past.ĭ. Changes in climate conditions can affect the health and function of ecosystems and the survival of entire species. The presence of small amounts of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere warms Earth's surface, resulting in a planet that sustains liquid water and life.Ĭ.

Co element affects on geography