In conclusion to this investigation, these points have been made supporting our theory on why carbon dioxide is building up in our atmosphere.
1) The industrial revolution began in 1760, as the threat of global warming only began in the last 100 years. The times for each do not match up, as deforestation on planet earth began immensely in the beginning of the 20th century, this matches the threat time of global warming.
2)Trees act as one of the few carbon sinks on planet earth, it is obvious that the elimination of this carbon sink is on the rise, the trend of carbon dioxide increase in our atmosphere is on the rise as well.
3)Humans do not emit near as much carbon dioxide as the earth itself. We are only responsible for 9 tons of carbon dioxide entering our atmosphere each year. So global warming cannot be caused by human pollution.
4)The study of Brazils amazon and the study of greenhouse emissions in Brazil do have a pattern, as Brazil has 48% of the worlds deforestation, the carbon dioxide in the air is also on the rise, therefore proving that the lack of carbon sinks in Brazil is affecting the atmosphere.
The connection is that humans, take down trees in our forests, for example, to make room for more housing because the human population is getting larger everyday. This removal of trees then eliminates carbon sinks, which gets rid of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere becuase of the process called photostnthesis. This process takes sunlight energy, water and carbon dioxide and turns it into oxygen and charbohydrates. This process makes trees, carbon sinks. Now that there is a lack of trees, carbon dioxide can buildup in our atmosphere. The carbon dioxide building up in our atmosphere comes from many things, but for example, humans drive their cars and release carbon dioxide right into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide then sits in the atmosphere, then sunlgith comes down to the earth as UV rays, some is reflected because of different albedo's on earth, and some is absorbed by the earth. The UV rays that are reflected into outer space as infared rays. When the infared rays hit our atmosphere they then collide with the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide absorbs the infared rays and then re-emits it in all directions. Some rays going to space and some coming back down to earth. This then causes the warming in the earth.
In conclusion, at the end of this investigation it is believed that the hypothesis posed at the beginning, "Deforestation is the main cause of global carbon dioxide increase". The points above prove this theory correct and also prove the theory of "consumption of fossil fuels result in atmosphere carbon dioxide increases".
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Final video!
Heres the final video we have made. It gives the basics on deforestation, some facts about it, and why we think deforestation is the main cause of increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG003_L5cHQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG003_L5cHQ
Monday, April 12, 2010
Vocabulary Learned!
Deforestation- To cut down and clear away the trees or forests in an area.
Carbon Dioxide- a colorless, odorless, incombustible gas CO2, present in the atmosphere and formed during respiration, usually obtained from coal, coke, or natural gas by combustion, from carbohydrates by fermentation, by reaction of acid with limestone or other carbonates, or naturally from springs: used extensively in industry as dry ice, or carbon dioxide snow, in carbonated beverages, fire extinguishers, etc.
Tree- a plant having a permanently woody main stem or trunk, ordinarily growing to a considerable height, and usually developing branches at some distance from the ground.
Deciduous: shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.
Coniferous- Any of various mostly needle-leaved or scale-leaved, chiefly evergreen, cone-bearing gymnospermous trees or shrubs such as pines, spruces and firs.
Rainforest- a tropical forest, usually of tall, densely growing, broad-leaved evergreen trees in an area of high annual rainfall.
Gymnospermous- a plant such, as a cycad or conifer, whose seeds are not enclosed within an ovary.
Emission- an act where a substance of some sort is emitted. For example carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere
Biomass- The number of life living in a certain habitat, expressed as the volume of organisms per volume of habitat, or as the weight of organisms per unit area.
Swidden Agriculture- A specific area that is completely cleared for temporary planting and plowing (cultivation) and then burning the vegetation
Biotic/Biota- the animals, plants, fungi, etc., of a region or period, pertaining to life.
Photorespiration- the oxidation of carbohydrates in many higher plants in which they get oxygen from light and then release carbon dioxide, somewhat different from photosynthesis
Forest degradation- the act of degrading and forest. Also can be natural effect as land can wear down due to weather, sort of like erosion.
Carbon Dioxide- a colorless, odorless, incombustible gas CO2, present in the atmosphere and formed during respiration, usually obtained from coal, coke, or natural gas by combustion, from carbohydrates by fermentation, by reaction of acid with limestone or other carbonates, or naturally from springs: used extensively in industry as dry ice, or carbon dioxide snow, in carbonated beverages, fire extinguishers, etc.
Tree- a plant having a permanently woody main stem or trunk, ordinarily growing to a considerable height, and usually developing branches at some distance from the ground.
Deciduous: shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.
Coniferous- Any of various mostly needle-leaved or scale-leaved, chiefly evergreen, cone-bearing gymnospermous trees or shrubs such as pines, spruces and firs.
Rainforest- a tropical forest, usually of tall, densely growing, broad-leaved evergreen trees in an area of high annual rainfall.
Gymnospermous- a plant such, as a cycad or conifer, whose seeds are not enclosed within an ovary.
Emission- an act where a substance of some sort is emitted. For example carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere
Biomass- The number of life living in a certain habitat, expressed as the volume of organisms per volume of habitat, or as the weight of organisms per unit area.
Swidden Agriculture- A specific area that is completely cleared for temporary planting and plowing (cultivation) and then burning the vegetation
Biotic/Biota- the animals, plants, fungi, etc., of a region or period, pertaining to life.
Photorespiration- the oxidation of carbohydrates in many higher plants in which they get oxygen from light and then release carbon dioxide, somewhat different from photosynthesis
Forest degradation- the act of degrading and forest. Also can be natural effect as land can wear down due to weather, sort of like erosion.
Summary
Humans have impacted the environment in so many ways over the last 100 years. As green house gases have increase in the world we have no come to believe that the world is getting warmer, global warming. A green house gas frequently discussed is carbon dioxide. Trees act as carbon sinks. A carbon sink is something that absorbs carbon dioxide out of the air. An example of a carbon sink in Canada is the Boreal/Taiga forest. Environments in places such as Brazil are proof that the lack of carbon sinks, or trees in general is greatly effecting the endearment of the world. Brazil has lost over 600,000 km of trees and statistics show that the carbon dioxide emissions in the air is rising. Deforestation in the tropics accounts for nearly 20% of the total greenhouse emissions because of human activities. Some specific scientists from science daily that support this theory are Raymond E. Gullison, Peter C. Frumhoff, Josep G. Canadell, Christopher B. Field, Daniel C. Nepstad, Katharine Hayhoe, Roni Avissar, Lisa M. Curran, Pierre Friedlingstein, Chris D. Jones, and Carlos Nobre. The UN has also headed on board to discussing deforestation in a new global warming treaty. Though consumption of fossil fuels seems to be a reason for the world to have the greenhouse effect, the global warming did not start appearing until about the 20th century, but the Industrial Revolution began in 1760, a decade or so before. True deforestation did not commence until the early 20th century. Seeing the relationship? So, at the end of this investigation it is still believed that deforestation is the main cause of global carbon dioxide increases. Another fact to prove this is 186 billion tons of carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere every year, only 6 billion are from human activity. The other 180 billion tons is from ocean activity, and biologic activity on human earth. The earth itself is releasing more carbon than humans every year, so why are humans noticing global warming now? It is believed because the carbon sinks of the world are being destroyed everyday, therefore leaving carbon in the atmosphere. By observing patterns in Brazil, a not so industrialized country, the conclusion can also be drawn that deofrestation is causing carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere to rise.
In conclusion, it is still believed that deforestation is the main reason carbon dioxide levels are on the rise.
In conclusion, it is still believed that deforestation is the main reason carbon dioxide levels are on the rise.
Another New Video!
Heres another new video! All about Brazil and the deforestation occuring there. A real eye opener, enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m15dxMOCTTU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m15dxMOCTTU
Sunday, April 11, 2010
More Answers!
Here are the answers to the previous questions posted!
1)When did deforestation begin on a mass human scale?
Deforestation began on a mass human scale approximately in 1750. In the late twentieth century a peak of deforestation began. In Brazils Amazon basin 7,000 miles per year of trees were cut down. In the 20th century more than one half of the forests on the planet were gone. Most of the deforestation of these trees occurred in the last decade of the 20th century.
2)What is increasing the CO2 levels?
There are many factors that increase the carbon dioxide levels in the world. The major cause of the increase is the forestry industry. During the process of photosynthesis a plant takes in carbon dioxide as well as energy from the sun and water. They then create their food and release oxygen. If we don’t have as many trees we are not loosing our carbon dioxide they would normally be taking in. Also there is a lot or large machinery that burn gas to operate, causing carbon dioxide to be created. Also just regular everyday commuting around and to and from work creates carbon dioxide emissions. Finally just the simple burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide into our air.
3)Where is majority of deforestation occurring?
Majority of deforestation in the world is occurring in the tropical rain forests. Tropical rain forests are located all over the world. At one point rain forests cover 14% of the earth’s land surface, but today they only cover 6%. Scientists figure that they could be completely gone in 40 years or less.
4)How much have the CO2 levels increased?
The CO2 levels have been increasing year after year. Deforestation is the cause for 70% of all carbon dioxide pollution. The G20 is responsible for 80% of all carbon dioxide pollution. The G20 consist of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the U.S. Alone the United States and China emit half of the 80%.
1)When did deforestation begin on a mass human scale?
Deforestation began on a mass human scale approximately in 1750. In the late twentieth century a peak of deforestation began. In Brazils Amazon basin 7,000 miles per year of trees were cut down. In the 20th century more than one half of the forests on the planet were gone. Most of the deforestation of these trees occurred in the last decade of the 20th century.
2)What is increasing the CO2 levels?
There are many factors that increase the carbon dioxide levels in the world. The major cause of the increase is the forestry industry. During the process of photosynthesis a plant takes in carbon dioxide as well as energy from the sun and water. They then create their food and release oxygen. If we don’t have as many trees we are not loosing our carbon dioxide they would normally be taking in. Also there is a lot or large machinery that burn gas to operate, causing carbon dioxide to be created. Also just regular everyday commuting around and to and from work creates carbon dioxide emissions. Finally just the simple burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide into our air.
3)Where is majority of deforestation occurring?
Majority of deforestation in the world is occurring in the tropical rain forests. Tropical rain forests are located all over the world. At one point rain forests cover 14% of the earth’s land surface, but today they only cover 6%. Scientists figure that they could be completely gone in 40 years or less.
4)How much have the CO2 levels increased?
The CO2 levels have been increasing year after year. Deforestation is the cause for 70% of all carbon dioxide pollution. The G20 is responsible for 80% of all carbon dioxide pollution. The G20 consist of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the U.S. Alone the United States and China emit half of the 80%.
More Questions
Here are some more questions created to further our knowledge on deforestation and its effects on the enviroment.
1) When did deforestation begin on a mass human scale?
2)What is increasing the CO2 levels?
3)Where is majority of deforestation occurring?
4)How much have the CO2 levels increased?
Answers to come soon!
1) When did deforestation begin on a mass human scale?
2)What is increasing the CO2 levels?
3)Where is majority of deforestation occurring?
4)How much have the CO2 levels increased?
Answers to come soon!
Answers
Here are the answers for the who, what where and why questions. More questions to come tonight!
1)Where is the most deforestation occuring?
According to statistics, there are more trees on planet earth harmed, or deforested than trees unharmed. This shows how much deforestation is occurring on planet earth. But, there are two places that easily have the most deforestation on planet earth, these two places being Brazil and Indonesia. 48% of deforestation occurs in Brazil and 13% is concentrated in Indonesia. This then adds up to two places having 61% of the world’s deforestation. The Deforestation is occurring in two main concentrated areas in Indonesia. Indonesia previously complained about the high amounts of deforestation occurring there, a meeting of United Nations was held there. In the meeting it was discussed that would have to be mentioned in the next global warming treaty. Not to say deforestation is just occurring in Brazil and Indonesia, because it is happening all over the world! A lot of deforestation occurs in the rainforests in the world, and occurs in areas like Africa, Latin America and South East Asia. Land all over the world is being deforested and this lack of trees is now becoming a reason for global warming.
2)Why is there deforestation?
Deforestation occurs in the world for many reasons, as trees act as a main resource for human’s everyday. The main reason’s for deforestation, legal or not are logging, industrialization, agriculture, oil exploitation and human disasters. Natural events also cause deforestation to occur, for example, a hurricane sweeps through an area taking down all the tree, this is a form of deforestation.
3)How do trees affect the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere?
Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and with water and sunlight, they turn it into oxygen and carbohydrates. This process is called photosynthesis. This process removes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and changes it to oxygen. Plants take in carbon dioxide through their stomata, then inside the chloroplast’s sunlight energy, water and carbon dioxide are turned into carbohydrates, or sugars and oxygen. The plant to grow and develop uses the carbohydrates and the oxygen is released through the plant’s stomata. So in plain terms, trees get rid of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, this allows the earth to have oxygen and to have life. Without plants there could be no human life, as there would be no oxygen to breathe, and there can be no new oxygen if there is not carbon dioxide. Though carbon dioxide causes global warming, earth needs a healthy balance of it. Tree’s work to keep a healthy balance of carbon dioxide, and to decrease the excess the high amounts of carbon dioxide emissions in the environment.
4)How does the environment where deforestation occurs differ from an environment with not as much deforestation?
According to statistics, there are more trees on planet earth harmed, or deforested than trees unharmed. This shows how much deforestation is occurring on planet earth. But, there are two places that easily have the most deforestation on planet earth, these two places being Brazil and Indonesia. 48% of deforestation occurs in Brazil and 13% is concentrated in Indonesia. This then adds up to two places having 61% of the world’s deforestation. The Deforestation is occurring in two main concentrated areas in Indonesia. Indonesia previously complained about the high amounts of deforestation occurring there, a meeting of United Nations was held there. In the meeting it was discussed that would have to be mentioned in the next global warming treaty. Not to say deforestation is just occurring in Brazil and Indonesia, because it is happening all over the world! Lots of deforestation occurs in the rainforests in the world, and occurs in areas like Africa, Latin America and South East Asia. Land all over the world is being deforested and this lack of trees is now becoming a reason for global warming.
1)Where is the most deforestation occuring?
According to statistics, there are more trees on planet earth harmed, or deforested than trees unharmed. This shows how much deforestation is occurring on planet earth. But, there are two places that easily have the most deforestation on planet earth, these two places being Brazil and Indonesia. 48% of deforestation occurs in Brazil and 13% is concentrated in Indonesia. This then adds up to two places having 61% of the world’s deforestation. The Deforestation is occurring in two main concentrated areas in Indonesia. Indonesia previously complained about the high amounts of deforestation occurring there, a meeting of United Nations was held there. In the meeting it was discussed that would have to be mentioned in the next global warming treaty. Not to say deforestation is just occurring in Brazil and Indonesia, because it is happening all over the world! A lot of deforestation occurs in the rainforests in the world, and occurs in areas like Africa, Latin America and South East Asia. Land all over the world is being deforested and this lack of trees is now becoming a reason for global warming.
2)Why is there deforestation?
Deforestation occurs in the world for many reasons, as trees act as a main resource for human’s everyday. The main reason’s for deforestation, legal or not are logging, industrialization, agriculture, oil exploitation and human disasters. Natural events also cause deforestation to occur, for example, a hurricane sweeps through an area taking down all the tree, this is a form of deforestation.
3)How do trees affect the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere?
Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and with water and sunlight, they turn it into oxygen and carbohydrates. This process is called photosynthesis. This process removes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and changes it to oxygen. Plants take in carbon dioxide through their stomata, then inside the chloroplast’s sunlight energy, water and carbon dioxide are turned into carbohydrates, or sugars and oxygen. The plant to grow and develop uses the carbohydrates and the oxygen is released through the plant’s stomata. So in plain terms, trees get rid of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, this allows the earth to have oxygen and to have life. Without plants there could be no human life, as there would be no oxygen to breathe, and there can be no new oxygen if there is not carbon dioxide. Though carbon dioxide causes global warming, earth needs a healthy balance of it. Tree’s work to keep a healthy balance of carbon dioxide, and to decrease the excess the high amounts of carbon dioxide emissions in the environment.
4)How does the environment where deforestation occurs differ from an environment with not as much deforestation?
According to statistics, there are more trees on planet earth harmed, or deforested than trees unharmed. This shows how much deforestation is occurring on planet earth. But, there are two places that easily have the most deforestation on planet earth, these two places being Brazil and Indonesia. 48% of deforestation occurs in Brazil and 13% is concentrated in Indonesia. This then adds up to two places having 61% of the world’s deforestation. The Deforestation is occurring in two main concentrated areas in Indonesia. Indonesia previously complained about the high amounts of deforestation occurring there, a meeting of United Nations was held there. In the meeting it was discussed that would have to be mentioned in the next global warming treaty. Not to say deforestation is just occurring in Brazil and Indonesia, because it is happening all over the world! Lots of deforestation occurs in the rainforests in the world, and occurs in areas like Africa, Latin America and South East Asia. Land all over the world is being deforested and this lack of trees is now becoming a reason for global warming.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Who, What, Where and Why?
So after answering those questions yesterday, we have come up with four more. More of a who, what, where and why questions. Here they are:
1. Where is the most deforestation occurring?
2. Why is there deforestation?
3. How do trees affect the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere?
4. How does the environment where deforestation occurs differ from an environment with not as much deforestation?
Answers to come soon!
1. Where is the most deforestation occurring?
2. Why is there deforestation?
3. How do trees affect the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere?
4. How does the environment where deforestation occurs differ from an environment with not as much deforestation?
Answers to come soon!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Answers!
So here are our first set of answers, questions are also listed before them.
1. How does carbon dioxide affect the atmosphere?
Carbon Dioxide is released in our atmosphere everyday from cars, factories, cows behinds, even our breathing! We humans release this greenhouse gas into the atmosphere everyday!
Carbon Dioxide, or also referred to as CO2 is trapped in our atmosphere due to an imbalance of humans releasing it, and trees absorbing it. This then leaves an over abundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In the atmosphere carbon dioxide collides with heat waves from the sun, stopping them from hitting earth. When this collision occurs the CO2 absorbs the heat and re-emits it in every direction. This means some of the heat goes back into outer space and some comes back down to earth. This heats up the earth more because heat is being re-emitted back to earth. Thus producing global warming.
2. How do trees affect the amount of carbon dioxide in the world?
Trees keep a balance in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by a process called photosynthesis. In photosynthesis carbon dioxide enters a plant, like a tree, through the stomata. After the process in the plant itself is complete oxygen is then released through the stomata. Trees simply keep the carbon dioxide on planet earth "in check".
1. How does carbon dioxide affect the atmosphere?
Carbon Dioxide is released in our atmosphere everyday from cars, factories, cows behinds, even our breathing! We humans release this greenhouse gas into the atmosphere everyday!
Carbon Dioxide, or also referred to as CO2 is trapped in our atmosphere due to an imbalance of humans releasing it, and trees absorbing it. This then leaves an over abundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In the atmosphere carbon dioxide collides with heat waves from the sun, stopping them from hitting earth. When this collision occurs the CO2 absorbs the heat and re-emits it in every direction. This means some of the heat goes back into outer space and some comes back down to earth. This heats up the earth more because heat is being re-emitted back to earth. Thus producing global warming.
2. How do trees affect the amount of carbon dioxide in the world?
Trees keep a balance in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by a process called photosynthesis. In photosynthesis carbon dioxide enters a plant, like a tree, through the stomata. After the process in the plant itself is complete oxygen is then released through the stomata. Trees simply keep the carbon dioxide on planet earth "in check".
The Beginning
We have just begun our in depth investigation to discover if deforestation is a main cause of the carbon dioxide increase in the atmosphere. To figure this out first, we need tounderstand first what carbon dioxide really is, so put simply, we need to answer these questions
1. How does carbon dioxide affect the atmosphere?
2. How do trees affect the amount of carbon dioxide in the world?
We have our hypothesis, and our first two questions. Let the investigation begin!
Our first video is on youtube right now! Heres the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO_s7UEXf_Y
More to come!
1. How does carbon dioxide affect the atmosphere?
2. How do trees affect the amount of carbon dioxide in the world?
We have our hypothesis, and our first two questions. Let the investigation begin!
Our first video is on youtube right now! Heres the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO_s7UEXf_Y
More to come!
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