Final answer:
Carbon is added to the atmosphere through cellular respiration of living organisms, burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, decomposition of animal waste, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions. Human activities have significantly accelerated the release of carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to the rise in CO2 levels and global climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ways Carbon is Added to the Atmosphere
Carbon is added to the atmosphere through several processes, primarily through the activities of living organisms and human actions. Cellular respiration is a natural process by which animals and plants release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. On the human front, a significant contributor to atmospheric carbon is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases high amounts of CO2.
Deforestation also plays a role, as it reduces the total amount of CO2 that is absorbed by plants. In addition to fossil fuels, methane (CH4) is released in large quantities from animal husbandry, particularly through the decomposition of livestock manure, and from landfills. Moreover, natural events like wildfires and volcanic eruptions quickly add significant amounts of carbon to the atmosphere.
While photosynthesis by plants acts to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, this is outweighed by the rapid release of carbon from human activities, especially from the combustion of fossil fuels, which is a major factor in the rise of atmospheric CO2 levels. This has been intensified by global deforestation, decreasing the number of trees that can absorb CO2. As CO2 levels have increased in the atmosphere, most scientists agree that this has become a major cause of global climate change.