Earth's Atmosphere and Climate Change
Earth's atmosphere has changed dramatically over billions of years, and human activity is now the main driver of change. Originally, our atmosphere was mostly carbon dioxide with no oxygen - quite different from today's 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen!
Photosynthesis by early plants and algae produced the oxygen we breathe today, whilst also removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This allowed complex life to evolve and created the atmosphere we depend on.
The greenhouse effect occurs when gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour absorb heat radiation from Earth's surface. More greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels and deforestation means more heat gets trapped, causing global warming.
Climate change consequences include melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather. Your carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gases released throughout your lifetime - reducing this through renewable energy and efficient processes helps tackle the problem.
Reality check: While the science is clear, reducing emissions requires global cooperation and changes to how we live and work.