How Have Earth's Carbon Pools Changed Over Time?

January 2020

The animation below comes from Robert Rohde, lead scientist with Berkeley Earth. It shows changes in Earth's carbon cycle over time. 

Carbon, in various forms including carbon dioxide and organic materials, is continually exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, and biosphere. In the pre-industrial period, these exchanges found a natural equilibrium such that the amount of carbon in each group remained more or less constant. However, human activities have perturbed the carbon cycle.

Students

  1. After viewing the map above, think about these three questions:
    • What do you notice?
    • What do you wonder? What are you curious about that comes from what you notice in the map?
    • What might be going on in this graph? Write a catchy headline that captures the main idea. If your headline makes a claim, write what you noticed that supports your claim.
    The questions are intended to build on one another, so try to answer them in order. Start with “I notice,” then “I wonder,” and end with “The story this map is telling is ….” and a catchy headline.
  2. Next, join the conversation by adding to the discussion below. (Students 13 and older are invited to comment, although teachers of younger students are welcome to post what their students have to say.)
  3. After you have posted, read what others have said, then respond to someone else by posting a comment. Use the “Reply” button to address another student directly.
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