Carbon Dioxide and the Earth
by Shuvai Mtangi

Carbon Dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is composed of two oxygen atoms. Each atom is covalently double bonded to an individual carbon atom. Carbon dioxide has the potential to become hazardous and even deadly if consumed in excessive amounts by organisms. Carbon dioxide is existent in the Earth’s atmosphere when it is in the form of a gas. In this paper you will learn about carbon dioxide (CO2) and the burning of fossil fuel.

Researches tell us that human emission of carbon dioxide through activities such as fossil fueling burning are the main cause of ocean acidification. The Earth’s oceans have become 26% more acidic since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. The ocean seems to continue to acidify at an “unprecedented rate”. The acidification of the oceans is a threat to marine ecosystems, and the things that rely on them. In the last 300 million years, the rate of change is possibly faster than ever before and by 2100 there could be a 170% increase in acidification in the ocean scientists say! This is all based on the findings from a symposium on the ocean which included 540 experts from 37 countries in September of 2012.

So with this information, I believe these are true facts that should be taken seriously. I believe humans are the leading cause of ocean acidification. It would be best if we actually tried to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we release into the Earth’s atmosphere. If we do not take this issue seriously and neglect to take care of our home, we will notice that marine ecosystems will be damaged and the climate change will become worse. A report says that oceans already act as a CO2 “sinkhole” absorbing about a quarter of emissions. The ocean's capacity to consume CO2 from the atmosphere decreases is a result of ocean acidity increases. This reduces the ocean’s part in moderating the climate change.

 Now, here is where things get a little more intense. The fast rise in sea levels could result in a dramatic growth in volcanic eruptions, says a recent study. In the journal Geology, this study shows that during stages of accelerated changes in climate over the last million years, the accelerated melting of glaciers and the reacting sea-level rise, in time, rising volcanic eruptions as much as fold. The results of the study were primarily based on natural climate changes, so it is unclear whether humans caused the climate change, and whether it would have an identical impact. If so, the result would not be seen for centuries. "We predict there's a time lag of about 2,500 years," said study co-author Marion Jegen, a geophysicist at Geomar in Germany "So even if we change the climate, you wouldn't really expect anything to happen in the next few thousand years."

http://www.livescience.com/25936-climate-change-causes-volcanism.html
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/14/world/ocean-acidification-report/