Carbon Cycle and Carbon Footprint

Within the carbon cycle, anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.

• carbon sink

• carbon source

Within the carbon cycle, anything that releases more carbon into the atmosphere than it absorbs.

• carbon sink

• carbon source

Select all that apply.

Which of the following are carbon sources.

• fossil fuel combustion

• volcanic eruptions

• forests

• oceans

Select all that apply.

Which of the following are carbon sinks.

• soil and rocks

• fossil fuels

• forests

• oceans

Forests are carbon sinks because they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through ____________.

• combustion

• respiration

• photosynthesis

• decomposition

Human activities add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, therefore we are carbon ________.

• sinks

• sources

The total set of carbon emissions caused by an individual.

• carbon cycle

• carbon handprint

• carbon footprint

• carbon summary

The main human activity that adds to an individual's carbon footprint.

• usage of alternative energies (wind, solar, etc)

• respiration and growth

• photosynthesis by plants

• usage of fossil fuels for energy

Why should you be concerned with the size of your carbon footprint?

• Sometimes its hard to find shoes that are the right size.

• If we don't decrease greenhouse gas emissions Earth will continue to cool.

• Greenhouse gases are becoming scarce in Earth's atmosphere.

• Increases in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are contributing to global climate change.

Select all that apply.

You can help decrease your carbon footprint by...

• buying and eat locally-produced food

• lessening your amount of driving

• recycling

• decreasing your water and electricity usage