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Students make a diagram of the effects of carbon dioxide increasing in the atmosphere.

How does Earth's energy flow change when levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increase? Move the labels into the diagram

Indicators of a Changing World

Water vapor

Glaciers and ice sheets

Sea level

Ocean heat content

Sea ice

Temperature over land

Up arrow, down arrow, equal

1 answer

To create a diagram illustrating the effects of increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere on Earth's energy flow and various environmental indicators, you would typically want to show how increased carbon dioxide affects energy absorption and emission, leading to changes in temperature and other factors.

Diagram Structure

  1. Increased Carbon Dioxide Levels (Central Node)

    • Label this central node "Increased CO2 Levels".

  2. Energy Flow Changes (Branches from Central Node)

    • Label arrows leading from "Increased CO2 Levels" to indicate changes in energy flow:
      • Up Arrow (Increase) - Represents increased energy absorption due to the greenhouse effect.
      • Down Arrow (Decrease) - Could be used to show a decrease in energy loss to space as more heat gets trapped.
      • Equal Arrow - This could represent areas where energy flow remains relatively unchanged.

  3. Effects on Environmental Indicators (Branches from Energy Flow Changes)

    • Branches should lead to various effects:
      • Temperature Over Land - Up Arrow (Increase)
      • Ocean Heat Content - Up Arrow (Increase)
      • Sea Level - Up Arrow (Increase)
      • Glaciers and Ice Sheets - Down Arrow (Decrease, indicating melting)
      • Sea Ice - Down Arrow (Decrease, indicating reduction)
      • Water Vapor - Up Arrow (Increase, since warmer air holds more moisture)

Completed Diagram Layout

                          Increased CO2 Levels
                                 ↓
                      Energy Absorption ↑
                                 ↓
                      Energy Loss to Space ↓
                                 ↓
                        /          |        \
                    ↑          ↑          ↑
                  Temperature   Ocean Heat    Sea Level ↑
                  Over Land      Content        ↑
                                                ↓
                     ↓                       Glaciers and Ice Sheets ↓
                 Sea Ice ↓                             ↓
                                                   Water Vapor ↑

Summary

  • When CO2 levels increase:
    • Energy absorption in the atmosphere increases (up arrow).
    • Energy loss to space decreases (down arrow).
    • Temperature over land, ocean heat content, and sea levels increase (up arrows).
    • Glaciers and ice sheets, as well as sea ice, decrease (down arrows).
    • Water vapor in the atmosphere increases with rising temperatures (up arrow).

This structured approach visually communicates the complex interplay between increased CO2 and its impacts on Earth's climate system.