Changes in carbon cycle are main factors causing climate change

Question 1

1

Answer 1

The increased emission of Co2 is warming the atmosphere. This increased temperature results in higher evaporation rates of the oceans and a wetter atmosphere, which leads to a positive feedback situation of further warming. Co2 causes about 20% of the Earth’s greenhouse effect, water vapour accounts for 50% and clouds 25% (the rest is caused by small particles and methane).

Although water vapour contributes the most to the overall greenhouse effect, it is Co2 which sets the temperature and therefore controls the amount of water vapour present in the atmosphere and consequently, the size of the enhanced greenhouse effect.