Cycles: A cycle is when matter changes form and moves between different parts of our earth system in a repeated pattern. Energy from the sun helps drive these cycles.
A cycle is when matter changes form and moves between different parts of our earth system in a repeated pattern. The water cycle, carbon cycle, photosynthesis - these are all examples of cycles happening Inside our biospheres! Everything is cycled and recycled in your biosphere with a little help from the sun’s heat and light. Your crickets can’t just call someone outside the terrarium and ask for a pizza delivery! Life inside the terrarium has to be careful because making even the smallest imbalance in one cycle can have an impact on the entire terrarium.
The same cycles happening in your biosphere are happening on earth. All matter is constantly moving in repeated patterns through the earth system. Some of these cycles are completed in a short time, while some take millions of years!
The climate change problem centers around the carbon cycle. Carbon cycles through all living things, air, water, and even some rocks. The carbon cycle stays in balance by separating carbon between these different storage areas and moving them around equally. Instead of carbon piling up in the ocean, carbon is removed from the water and turns into different types of rocks. The carbon in rocks can stay there for millions of years, but eventually it will be thrust back up into the atmosphere when volcanoes erupt. When carbon is in the air, it is in the form of two different gasses, carbon dioxide and methane, which are known as greenhouse gases.
Even though greenhouse gasses are microscopic, they have a big impact on the earth system. Greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere keep our planet at a life-supporting temperature. They do this by trapping some of the sun’s heat after it bounces off the earth instead of letting the sun’s heat energy return back to space. If we didn't have greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere, then our planet would be a lot more like Mars—mostly frozen and no signs of life! However, more greenhouse gasses in the air means more trapping of the sun’s heat, and more warming in our climate! Currently, humans are pumping carbon into the air through burning fossil fuels and changing how land is used about 30 times faster than the natural carbon cycle does.
Cycles mean that matter on earth is always moving, even if the movement is very very slow. When cycles are balanced, matter doesn’t build up in one part of the earth system because it is cycled out just as quickly as it is put in. When we change one part of a cycle, that can put the whole cycle out of balance.
The same cycles happening in your biosphere are happening on earth. All matter is constantly moving in repeated patterns through the earth system. Some of these cycles are completed in a short time, while some take millions of years!
The climate change problem centers around the carbon cycle. Carbon cycles through all living things, air, water, and even some rocks. The carbon cycle stays in balance by separating carbon between these different storage areas and moving them around equally. Instead of carbon piling up in the ocean, carbon is removed from the water and turns into different types of rocks. The carbon in rocks can stay there for millions of years, but eventually it will be thrust back up into the atmosphere when volcanoes erupt. When carbon is in the air, it is in the form of two different gasses, carbon dioxide and methane, which are known as greenhouse gases.
Even though greenhouse gasses are microscopic, they have a big impact on the earth system. Greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere keep our planet at a life-supporting temperature. They do this by trapping some of the sun’s heat after it bounces off the earth instead of letting the sun’s heat energy return back to space. If we didn't have greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere, then our planet would be a lot more like Mars—mostly frozen and no signs of life! However, more greenhouse gasses in the air means more trapping of the sun’s heat, and more warming in our climate! Currently, humans are pumping carbon into the air through burning fossil fuels and changing how land is used about 30 times faster than the natural carbon cycle does.
Cycles mean that matter on earth is always moving, even if the movement is very very slow. When cycles are balanced, matter doesn’t build up in one part of the earth system because it is cycled out just as quickly as it is put in. When we change one part of a cycle, that can put the whole cycle out of balance.
Cycles Research Ideas
- Research your school’s water use and determine what role your school plays in the local water cycle. Where does the water come from? What are the different ways that your school uses water, and how much do you use? What happens to it after it is used in your school?
- Look into what happens when it rains at your school and determine what role your school plays in the local water cycle. Where does the rain go after it falls on your school grounds? Are there opportunities for the water to get polluted? Are there opportunities for rain to cause harmful erosion? How can you prevent this from happening?
- What is your school’s carbon identity? How could your school reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that it puts into the atmosphere? How can your school increase the amount of carbon dioxide that it takes out of the atmosphere? Research some of the ways that your school puts the carbon cycle out of balance by contributing carbon dioxide INTO the atmosphere faster than it takes it OUT of the atmosphere:
b. Use of lights
c. Use of electronics
d. Cutting down trees
e. Heating water
f. Busses, lawn mowers, and other gas-burning vehicles
g. Solid waste disposal