Consider the Keeling curve, which shows a steady increase in CO₂ levels over the past 50+ years. This steady rise has been attributed to both natural and human activity. Imagine if everyone in the world planted a fast-growing vine that was an annual (i.e., it grows large and fast, but dies after one year). Predict the effect this would hypothetically have on the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere over the next 20 years.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Planting fast-growing vines that die after one year may temporarily remove CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, but when they decompose, the CO2 will be released back into the atmosphere, resulting in no net removal of CO₂. Therefore, the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere will steadily increase because the decomposition of the annuals will simply return the CO2 back into the atmosphere.

Consider the Keeling Curve, Which Shows a Steady Increase in CO2

Consider the Keeling Curve, Which Shows a Steady Increase in CO₂