1. Carbon cycle Plants Animals Industry & Vehicles Organic Material Fossil Fuels Atmosphere Photosynthesis Respiration Decomposition Burning Pumping

2. Questions to consider What is the importance of plants in the carbon cycle? How many possible paths are there for a carbon atom to move through the environment? What happens to the carbon atom as it moves from 1 pool to another? Give an example. Humans have a big influence on the carbon cycle. What would the carbon cycle be like without humans? What is our impact on the carbon cycle?

3. The carbon cycle with and without humans In 1750, WITHOUT industry & vehicles, there was around 280 CO 2 molecules in every million air molecules In 2007, WITH industry & vehicles, there is now 380 CO 2 molecules in every million air molecules (35% increase) Plants Animals Industry & Vehicles Organic Material Fossil Fuels Atmosphere Photosynthesis Respiration Decomposition Burning Pumping Plants Animals Organic Material Atmosphere Respiration Decomposition Photosynthesis Fossil Fuels