Final answer:
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide but cannot keep pace with the amount being emitted, especially with deforestation reducing the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide.
Step-by-step explanation:
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide while plants use it as a part of photosynthesis. The process of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are carbon-rich deposits from ancient organic matter, results in the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This release of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, contributes to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat within Earth's atmosphere and leading to global warming or climate change.
Photosynthesis in plants plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle by converting carbon dioxide into organic compounds, thus acting as a natural sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, the rate of carbon dioxide being emitted from the burning of fossil fuels is much faster than what can be used by photosynthetic organisms. This imbalance is exacerbated by activities like deforestation, which reduces the number of trees available to absorb carbon dioxide. Consequently, the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide are increasing, leading to a rise in Earth's temperature.