Why is a balanced carbon cycle so vital in sustaining Earth’s other systems?
The carbon cycle is one of many Earth complex networks (ie made from multiple stores and fluxes), and it has a heavy impact on most others. These include: the hydrological cycle, the nutrient cycle, soil health and the functioning of the range of biomes. A balanced carbon cycle would see the carbon flux entering the atmosphere being essentially equal to the carbon leaving it. An increase in the atmospheric carbon store, (in forms such as CO2 and CH4) without a corresponding sink would lead to unsustainable conditions for the other systems. In summary, an unbalanced carbon cycle will cause havoc for the Earth.
Increases in carbon dioxide and methane concentration in the atmosphere (alongside artificial stores) will increase the Earth’s retention of incident solar radiation, essentially warming the planet in an open system. Meteorologically, this will increase average land temperatures; North East Europe will warm the most for winters, while South Europe will cook during summers. Precipitation will amplify, with an already wet North Europe soaking and an arid South Europe further drying. Furthermore, extreme weather events are projected to increase in frequency and intensity.
With an unbalanced carbon cycle, the Arctic biome will undergo amplification. As melting permafrost and ice release CO2/CH4 and lose albedo reflection in a positive feedback loop, the ecosystem will be heavily affected. Native plant/animal species will become unsuited to the conditions, and also experience new competition with incomers. This disruption to the ecosystems will be prevalent globally, an unsustainable cycle.
The hydrological cycle will also undergo major, unsustainable changes with this change in the carbon system. Warmth could change rainfall patterns and reduce precipitation in snow form, accentuating the positive feedback loop. Again, greater flooding in winter and increased drought during summer, as well as subsequent reduction in water quality due to poor glacial retreat, could damage the hydrological system irreversibly.
Overall, an unbalanced carbon cycle is a significant threat to the sustainability of all other systems, and so a balanced carbon cycle is necessary. We need to do our utmost to not only stop increasing the carbon in our atmosphere, but to sequester it, lock it up and reverse the damage already done. It starts with carbon.
Faaris Haque
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