Reducing Human Impacts on the Carbon Cycle (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)

Revision Note

Reducing Human Impacts on the Carbon Cycle

  • Human activities have significantly altered the carbon cycle

    • This has led to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate change

  • Measures are urgently needed to reduce these impacts and restore balance to the carbon cycle

    • Example of these measure include:

  1. Low-carbon technologies:

    • Adopting low-carbon technologies is important for reducing carbon emissions from energy production, transportation, industry and buildings (heating, cooling etc.)

      • Examples include renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower, as well as more energy-efficient technologies and practices (e.g. better insulation and heatpumps)

  2. Reduction in fossil-fuel burning:

    • Decreasing the burning of fossil fuels is an essential step in reducing carbon emissions

      • Transitioning to cleaner energy sources, such as renewables can help achieve this

  3. Using biomass as a fuel source:

    • Promoting sustainable cultivation of bioenergy crops that does not cause deforestation—bioenergy crops absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they photosynthesise

    • Utilising bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology

      • This involves producing energy from biomass

      • The carbon dioxide emissions from biomass combustion are also captured and stored underground

      • Together these processes effectively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

  4. Reduction in soil disruption:

    • Decreasing soil disruption through sustainable agricultural practices is vital for preserving soil health and maintaining the ability of soils to sequester carbon

      • Practices such as crop rotation and cover cropping can minimise soil disturbance, erosion and loss of organic matter

      • Healthy soils with high organic carbon content act as carbon sinks, storing carbon and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions

  5. Reduction in deforestation:

    • Implementing programs like the UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UNREDD)

      • This prevents deforestation and promotes sustainable forest management

  6. Carbon capture through reforestation:

    • Reforestation involves planting trees on deforested or degraded lands to sequester carbon from the atmosphere

      • Trees absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, storing carbon in their biomass and surrounding soils

      • Forests act as important carbon sinks

  7. Artificial sequestration:

    • Artificial sequestration technologies capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes and power plants, preventing them from entering the atmosphere

      • Methods include carbon capture and storage (CCS), where CO2 is captured, transported and injected underground for long-term storage

  8. Enhancing carbon dioxide absorption by the oceans:

    • Ocean fertilisation techniques involve adding compounds like nitrogen, phosphorus and iron to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton

      • These phytoplankton then absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis

    • Using methods to increase ocean upwellings

      • These upwellings bring nutrient-rich deep waters to the surface

      • This has the same effect of promoting the growth of phytoplankton and enhancing carbon dioxide absorption

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Alistair Marjot

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