Explaining the Carbon Cycle.

What is the Carbon Cycle and what role does it play?

Within our planet’s wider natural ecosystem lies the carbon cycle, a complex mechanism through which carbon, a fundamental building block of life, circulates through the atmosphere, land, oceans, and living organisms. This cycle is crucial for regulating Earth's climate, supporting ecosystems, and sustaining life.

Carbon exists in many forms, ranging from gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and dissolved in oceans, to solid forms in minerals and living or dead organic matter. The cycle involves various processes that move carbon between these reservoirs, including photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.

In general terms, there are two states carbon can exist in; stored or free.  Stored carbon tends to be found in natural repositories where it cannot interact with environments in a way where it could cause a wider planetary influence.  For example, carbon stored deep beneath the earth as oil is not free to interact with the atmosphere and oceans. Even the carbon that makes up our bodies is mostly locked away, until we are done with it (and at which point we are done with our bodies!).  Trees and soil are other common natural carbon repositories. Carbon in a free state resides in an environment where its over-presence can lead to some of the drastic global changes we are currently witnessing.  This is the carbon that is present in the atmosphere and oceans, either naturally or at an increased volume due to human interference. 

Why is it Important to have a balanced carbon cycle?

The balance of the carbon cycle is vital for maintaining Earth's climate and ecosystem health.

However, the cycle's balance is delicate. Excessive carbon, especially in the form of CO2 and methane (CH4), can have detrimental effects. In the atmosphere, high levels of these greenhouse gases trap heat, leading to global warming and climate change. In the oceans, absorbed CO2 leads to acidification, harming marine life and ecosystems.

So what happens when the carbon cycle moves out of balance?

Human activities have significantly altered the carbon cycle, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and changes in land use. These actions have increased atmospheric CO2 levels at an unprecedented rate, disrupting the natural balance of the cycle. The resulting increase in greenhouse gases has been the main driver of recent global warming and climate change.

The rapid industrialisation and reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources have exacerbated the situation, leading to increased ocean acidification and further endangering marine biodiversity.

It’s important to remember that it’s not the amount of carbon that is the issue.  The total volume of carbon on earth does not change.  What has changed (and continues to do so) is the ratio of carbon that is free and which is stored.  Our actions have and are releasing CO2 in huge volumes through the use of carbon based non-renewable fuels, for energy generation.  

So how to we fix this?

To mitigate the adverse effects on the carbon cycle and prevent further release of CO2 into the atmosphere and oceans, comprehensive and concerted efforts are necessary. These include:

Transitioning to Renewable Energy: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, can drastically reduce carbon emissions.

Reforestation and Afforestation: Planting trees and restoring forests are effective ways to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, enhancing the terrestrial carbon sink.

Sustainable Agriculture: Adopting sustainable agricultural practices can improve soil health, increasing its carbon sequestration capabilities and reducing emissions from land use.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):Developing and deploying CCS technologies can capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes and power generation at the source, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.

Conservation Efforts: Protecting and conserving ecosystems, particularly oceans and forests, are crucial for maintaining their role in the carbon cycle.

Reducing Consumption: Minimising waste and adopting a more sustainable lifestyle can lower the carbon footprint of individuals and communities.

Why should global commerce care?

The knock-on effects of unbalancing the carbon cycle, not only causes direct ecological consequences, but also creates significant risk to businesses.  These include:

1. The economic world relies on natural capital to function.  As the natural world’s ability to provide resources reduces, so does the possible industrial & agricultural output. 
   

2. Climate change, driven by the unbalanced carbon cycle, brings operational risks including rising sea waters, extreme weather, transport interruption, heat associated infrastructure failures, crop failures and loss of raw pharmaceutical raw ingredients through depleted bio-diversity.  These are some of the challenges with have identified, but there may be many more that emerge as unexpected consequences of cascading environmental failures linked to climate change.
   

3. If the current trends in warming continue, we would expect to see a far more of the earth becoming unable to sustain human life.  This in turn could lead to currently productive industries and regions (and the long-term capital investments in these areas) being unable to remain productive.

Conclusion

The carbon cycle is a lifeline for Earth, integral to climate regulation, ecosystem health, and the sustenance of life. However, human activities have tipped its balance, leading to climate change and environmental degradation. By understanding the importance of the carbon cycle and taking decisive action to restore its balance, humanity can ensure a healthier planet for future generations. Protecting the carbon cycle is not just about preventing further damage; it's about actively working towards a sustainable and resilient future.

So what can you do in your role to being awareness and migrate to operating models that support a balanced carbon cycle?