12 - Sumideros de carbono

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The original IPCC graph represents both CO2 emissions and carbon sinks. The Climate Fresk has chosen to split it in two to show where CO2 comes from and where it goes. This is why the two cards are symmetrical: every year, the CO2 emitted by humankind has to go somewhere. Any CO2 that is not absorbed by the other carbon sinks remains in the atmosphere. The text at the back of the card gives approximate absorption rates. The more detailed percentages are: 27.9% for the ocean, 28.8% for photosynthesis.

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Causas

Sumideros de carbono

CO2 is absorbed at the surface of the ocean. Thermohaline circulation helps mix watersurface and deep ocean which is essential to the absoption of CO2 by the ocean.


Sumideros de carbono

"Entre 2010 y 2019, las emisiones antropogénicas de CO2 alcanzaron aproximadamente 11 PgC por año. De estas emisiones, el 46% se acumuló en la atmósfera, el 23% fue absorbido por el océano y el 31% por los ecosistemas terrestres. ""Las dos cartas se colocan uno al lado del otro para formar un mismo gráfico. Hay que conseguir que los participantes encuentren esta relación:

  • Miren la carta 12. ¿Ven algo raro?
  • ¡Está escrito al revés!
  • Exactamente. Hay que resolver un enigma. La solución está sobre la mesa.""
    SOURCES: AR6 WG1 Box TS.5 p48 // AR5 WG1 Figura 6.8 p503 // AR6 WG1 Figura SPM.7 (sumideros y escenarios) p20"

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Consecuencias

Concentración de CO2 (ppm)

Sumideros de carbono

the card n11 represents the concentration in CO2, understood in the atmosphere (it's written behind the card).


Sumideros de carbono

The word "Ocean" is written on both sides.


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Otras causas posibles

Sumideros de carbono

If a lack of rain occurs while plants are growing, there is less photosynthesis and therefore a reduction in capacity of the carbon sink. In Europe, in 2018, carbon sinks declined by 18%.


Sumideros de carbono

Participants often think that deforestation reduces carbon sinks. In reality, the impact is minimal because deforested areas represent a very small part of the total forest area. Moreover, a mature forest has reached its equilibrium and no longer absorbs carbon. Therefore, as mainly mature forests are deforested, this does not impact carbon sinks. On the other hand, the amount CO2 released is very high.


Sumideros de carbono

It doesn't matter if this link is not made, but it is true that agriculture can improve storage capacity through photosynthesis. This is the 0.4% principle (if we increased the soil's capacity to sequester carbon by even 0,4%, we would have a significant impact on CO2).


1
Otra consecuencia posible

Sumideros de carbono

Studies have shown that yields increase with increased CO2, but that the nutrient content of vegetables is reduced as a result, because trace elements are not more abundant when yields increase.


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Causa incorrecta

Concentración de CO2 (ppm)

Sumideros de carbono

It can be argued that CO2 emissions take place before reaching carbon sinks. But the opposite link has our preference.


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Consecuencias incorrectas

Sumideros de carbono

The idea here is not to say there is no link between these two cards, but to make sure they are not mixed up. The carbon sinks card tells us where the carbon goes. The energy budget card tells us where the excess energy goes. Both distribute something, but not the same thing. To make it even more confusing, the atmosphere and the ocean are present in both.