Relating Chemical Systems and Equilibrium to Technology, Society, and Environmental

Relating Chemical Systems and Equilibrium to Technology, Society, and the Environment

An increase in average global temperature/an increase in extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes and tornadoes

Is the carbon cycle involved?

Recent scientific evidence indicates that humans have upset the carbon cycle, leaving more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, burning biomass such as ethanol and wood, creating cement and releasing other chemicals into the atmosphere is upsetting the natural flow of carbon.

Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere act almost like a blanket between the earth and frigid space. At lower levels, greenhouse gases trap some heat in our atmosphere while letting other heat radiate out into space. However, as the layer of greenhouse gases around our planet grows thicker more heat is trapped in our atmosphere, less radiates away and the earth slowly heats up.

Hopefully you now understand how complex the flow of carbon is on our planet and how we as humans are currently impacting its natural cycles.

What happens in when volcanoes erupt (extreme weather condition)?

Several processes move carbon from the geosphere to the atmosphere.

Volcanic eruptions release carbon dioxide from molten rock beneath the earth's surface.

The production of cement that's used for homes, skyscrapers, streets and other hardscapes around the world releases an enormous amount of carbon dioxide. You see, cement is made from limestone taken from the geosphere. Cement production involves heating limestone and releasing its stored carbon as carbon dioxide.

Burning fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel and coal releases carbon into the atmosphere. Every time you drive your gas...

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...forestation occurs mostly in the Asia-Pacific region, where there is predominant area of tropical forests.

What are some possible causes of this shift?

Disease, pollution, and limited distribution are factors that threaten various plant and animal species. Also, if the current rate of forest loss continues, huge quantities of plant and animal species will disappear.

What are some possible consequences?

Any change in the climate of an area can affect the plants and animals that live there. Some animals might adapt or move elsewhere, but others could have trouble surviving. For example, if the ice in the Arctic Ocean disappears, the animals that depend on this ice won't have anywhere else to go. Climate change also alters plants' and animals' life cycles. For example, some flowers are blooming earlier in the spring, while some animals are migrating at different times