TED-Ed: The carbon cycle - Nathaniel Manning

The video explains the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) in climate change, detailing how CO2 enters the atmosphere through natural processes like the carbon cycle and human activities such as burning fossil fuels. It highlights the importance of photosynthesis in balancing CO2 levels and the negative impact of deforestation. The video also discusses the potential of sustainable technologies to mitigate climate change, emphasizing the limitless potential of human innovation to create solutions that balance the ecosystem.

What is the primary role of plants in the carbon cycle?

• To release CO2 into the atmosphere

• To convert sunlight and CO2 into carbohydrates

• To decompose and release methane

• To consume oxygen and produce energy

How do human activities like burning fossil fuels affect the carbon cycle?

• They release stored CO2 back into the atmosphere

• They reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere

• They have no impact on the carbon cycle

• They increase the number of plants

What analogy is used to describe the overloading of the carbon cycle?

• A tree losing its leaves

• A car running out of fuel

• A river overflowing

• A computer running too many programs

What defines sustainable technologies?

• Technologies that increase CO2 emissions

• Technologies that have an output equal to their input

• Technologies that rely solely on fossil fuels

• Technologies that are expensive to produce

What is the key to stopping climate change according to the video?

• Increasing fossil fuel usage

• Reducing human population

• Limiting technological advancements

• Innovating and creating sustainable technologies