Real World: The Carbon Cycle – Essential for Life on Earth
Carbon is an essential building block for life. Learning how carbon is converted through slow- and fast-moving cycles helps us understand how this life-sustaining element moves through the environment. Discover how NASA measures carbon through both field work and satellite imagery keeping watch through its eyes on the sky, on Earth, and in space.
Discussions and writing prompts
1. A single carbon atom can move through the atmosphere, oceans, living organisms, soil, and rocks over days, years, or even millions of years. Why is it important to understand carbon as something that is constantly moving rather than staying in one place?
2. Carbon dioxide is an invisible gas, yet NASA scientists can measure and track it from space using satellites as well as through field observations. Why is it important to use multiple methods to study something we cannot easily see?
3. Some carbon moves through Earth's systems in a matter of days or years, while other carbon remains stored for millions of years. Why is it important for scientists to understand both the fast and slow parts of the carbon cycle?
4. Compare the movement of carbon through a forest ecosystem with the movement of carbon stored in rocks or fossil fuels. Explain how differences in the speed of these processes help scientists understand Earth's past, present, and future.
Background Information
Grades 3 through 12
- NASA eClips Ask SME: Ask SME: Research Physical Scientist Dr. Lola Fatoyinbo Agueh (video)
Grades 4 through 12
- NASA Kids What Is the Carbon Cycle? (webpage)
Grades 6 through 12
- GLOBE Carbon Cycle (webpage)
- GLOBE An Introduction to the Global Carbon Cycle (pdf)
- My NASA Data Matter and Energy Cycles (webpage)
- NASA Earth Observatory The Carbon Cycle (webpage)
- NASA Carbon Monitoring System (webpage)
- NOAA Carbon Cycle (webpage)
Activities
Grades K through 12
- NASA PACE The Carbon Cycle Game (webpage)
Grades 3 through 8
- My NASA Data Investigating Deforestation Through An Earth Systems View Using Landsat (webpage)
Grades 3 through 12
- NASA Climate Kids The Climate Time Machine (interactive)
Grades 6 through 12
- Wisconsin Energy Institute Poker Chip Model: Global Carbon Pools and Fluxes (webpage)
- GLOBE Carbon Cycle Learning Activities (webpage)
- My NASA Data Carbon Dioxide Production and Sequestration (webpage)
- NASA Carbon Quiz (interactive)
- NASA Carbon and Climate Resources for Educators and Students (webpage)
- GLOBE Getting to Know Global Carbon (pdf)
- GLOBE Carbon Cycle Adventure Story: A Self-Guided Tour Through the Carbon Cycle (pdf)