Final answer:
Humans affect the carbon cycle through burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and altering natural carbon sinks and sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way that humans affect the carbon cycle is through the burning of fossil fuels. When humans burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas for energy, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere. This additional CO2 contributes to the greenhouse effect, resulting in global warming and climate change.
Another way humans impact the carbon cycle is through deforestation. Trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and store it in their biomass. When forests are cleared for agriculture, construction, or other purposes, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO2, adding to the greenhouse effect.
Additionally, certain human activities, such as industrial processes and land-use changes, can alter the natural carbon sinks and sources. For example, the creation of carbon sinks like reforestation programs can help offset the carbon emissions caused by human activities.
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