Carbon Dioxide and Climate Change

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Which gas is responsible for trapping heat close to Earth?

Methane

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Carbon dioxide (correct)

What happens when the amount of carbon dioxide in the air rises?

The greenhouse effect weakens

Earth's temperature cools down

The balance in the carbon cycle becomes unstable

Earth's temperature warms up (correct)

What do NASA research satellites like OCO-2 and OCO-3 study?

The balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

The carbon cycle in plants and animals (correct)

The effects of burning fossil fuels

The movement of oxygen around the planet

What do plants do with the carbon dioxide they take in?

They convert it into oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What do animals do with the oxygen they breathe in?

They convert it into carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What happens if there were no greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere?

Earth's ocean would freeze Signup and view all the answers

What are human activities that are changing the balance of carbon in the air?

Burning fossil fuels Signup and view all the answers

What can big increases in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere negatively affect?

Earth's climate Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of greenhouse gases?

To trap heat from the Sun Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the carbon cycle on Earth?

It has stayed balanced over long periods of time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the greenhouse effect on Earth?

It traps heat from the Sun and keeps Earth warm Signup and view all the answers

What would Earth look like without the greenhouse effect?

A planet covered in ice Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere increases?

The temperature of Earth increases Signup and view all the answers

Why do CO2 levels in the atmosphere increase even more when the temperature rises?

Because of the role the ocean plays in the carbon cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) designed to do?

Investigate the carbon cycle Signup and view all the answers

How does the greenhouse effect impact the temperature of Earth?

It causes the temperature to increase Signup and view all the answers

What happens to CO2 levels in the atmosphere when the temperature rises?

They increase Signup and view all the answers

What role do research satellites play in studying carbon dioxide?

They measure CO2 on Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

What would happen to Earth's temperature if there was no greenhouse effect?

It would decrease Signup and view all the answers

How does the ocean contribute to the increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere?

By releasing stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers