Human activities are increasing the greenhouse effect

Human activities are releasing increased amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, causing the atmosphere to heat up. Around half of this surplus carbon dioxide is then taken up in carbon 'sinks' on the land and sea surface, mitigating the extent of global warming - at least for now. Carbon modellers seek to better understand the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, land, sea, and biosphere, known as the carbon cycle.