Why CO₂ is Crucial for Our Planet's Survival
In Why CO₂ Is Crucial for Our Planet's Survival, geologist Iain Stewart explains how carbon dioxide is essential for life on Earth. Without enough, planets like Mars are freezing cold, while Venus is scorching hot because it has too much. Early volcanoes released carbon dioxide that helped keep the planet warm enough for life to evolve. Yet, scientists have discovered evidence of a catastrophic "Snowball Earth" event 700 million years ago, where the planet may have been completely frozen, as shown by mysterious drop stones found in Namibia. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary series in which Dr. Iain Stewart discovers how Earth's forces can shape nature, species, and even the climate.
Lesson Express
Q: How did early Earth’s volcanoes help support life?
A: Early Earth’s volcanoes released carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which helped prevent the planet from freezing over, even though the Sun was weaker. This allowed life to continue evolving and thriving.
Q: How does the amount of carbon dioxide on a planet affect its temperature?
A: The amount of carbon dioxide determines how much heat is trapped in a planet’s atmosphere. Too little, like on Mars, leads to freezing temperatures, while too much, like on Venus, causes extreme heat. Earth has a balance that allows life to thrive.
Q: What is the significance of the "drop stones" discovered in Namibia?
A: The drop stones provide evidence of a time when Earth may have been covered in ice, known as Snowball Earth. They suggest that the planet went through a severe ice age, which could have been a major catastrophe for life.
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