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Over the last 150 years, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations have risen from 280 to nearly 380 parts per million (ppm).

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How has the amount of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere changed over the earths history?

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has varied over Earth's history due to natural processes like volcanic activity, changes in ocean circulation, and the growth and decay of plant life. However, the current levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are higher than they have been in at least 800,000 years, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This increase in carbon dioxide is contributing to global warming and climate change.


When you burn vegetation how does it affect carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

Burning vegetation adds to the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. However, that carbon dioxide was recently removed from the air when the plants were growing, so burning vegetation is carbon neutral.Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), of course, releases extra carbon dioxide that has been hidden away for 300 million years.


Can the natural cycle of carbon dioxide emissions increase carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere?

No, the natural cycle of carbon dioxide (CO2) moves through the land, oceans and atmosphere, and has done for millions of years. It is able to remove all the natural carbon in the air (and part of the global warming carbon as well). It is the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) in industry, transport and the generation of electricity that releases carbon that has been hidden underground for millennia that is increasing the carbon concentrations in the atmosphere.


Where do scientists think extra carbon dioxide is coming from?

Scientists believe that the extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere primarily comes from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, and industrial processes. These activities release carbon that has been stored in the Earth for millions of years, contributing to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.


How has the earths atmosphere changed over millions of years?

The earth's atmosphere has changed significantly over millions of years due to various factors such as volcanic activity, changes in the Earth's orbit, and the evolution of living organisms. For example, early Earth had a different composition with high levels of carbon dioxide and little oxygen. Over time, the atmosphere changed to its current composition with nitrogen as the dominant gas and oxygen supporting life.

Related Questions

How many years to recycle carbon dioxide?

None. Plants recycle carbon dioxide continuously.


Starting billions of years ago algae lowered the levels in the atmosphere?

Carbon Dioxide


How has the amount of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere changed over the earths history?

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has varied over Earth's history due to natural processes like volcanic activity, changes in ocean circulation, and the growth and decay of plant life. However, the current levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are higher than they have been in at least 800,000 years, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This increase in carbon dioxide is contributing to global warming and climate change.


In past years were temperature and carbon dioxide usually at the same rate?

Yes, carbon dioxide levels remained at 280 ppm for many thousands of years, together with an even temperature, before the Industrial Revolution.


When you burn vegetation how does it affect carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

Burning vegetation adds to the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. However, that carbon dioxide was recently removed from the air when the plants were growing, so burning vegetation is carbon neutral.Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), of course, releases extra carbon dioxide that has been hidden away for 300 million years.


What caused the increase in carbon dioxide in your atmosphere over the last 150 years?

The primary reason for the increase in carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere over the last 150 years is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. This releases carbon dioxide that had been locked away for millions of years into the atmosphere, leading to a rise in atmospheric CO2 levels and contributing to climate change.


What 3 gases made up the earths atmosphere a lot of years ago?

carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and still nitrogen


Where did the carbon dioxide and water vapour come from 4.5 billion years ago?

earh


In the last 100 years what has added excess carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

Power PlantsMachineryCarsThe burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, which releases extra carbon dioxide that has been underground for 300 million years.


Was there more carbon dioxide in the air 2000 years ago?

No. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere 2000 years ago were around 280 ppm (parts per million) and remained around that level till about 1800, when we started burning coal. Levels now (2013) are approaching 400 ppm.


What element transformed carbon dioxide atmosphere a billion years ago to what you breathe?

Ancient photosynthetic bacteria transformed the carbon dioxide atmosphere into oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Over billions of years, these organisms released oxygen as a byproduct, eventually leading to the oxygen-rich atmosphere we have today that you breathe.


Why is olive oil as a fuel said to be carbon neutral?

As the olive tree grows it takes in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, and gives out oxygen. When olive oil is burnt it gives out the carbon dioxide that it took in, so overall there is no net movement of carbon dioxide. - This is why it is said to be carbon neutral. "Carbon neutral" means generally that the activity adds no additional carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. This is in comparison to the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) which do add extra greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide which has been hidden underground for 300 million years).