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Computare
Carbon Cycle Summary
•Humans control much of carbon cycle
–24 billion tonnes of plant production
–Fossil fuels 6 billion tonnes
•Opportunity
–Integrate energy use with carbon control
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Consideration  of the carbon cycle raises some questions. Does division of the cycle into “human” and “natural” components tend to excessively  focus on   fossil fuel use as the “problem”?
A recent paper addressed human  influence on climate through the development of agriculture. The author concludes humans began to influence climate nearly 8000 years ago.
Humans cultivate 10 to 15% of land – and we control forests. We appropriate about 40% of plant production.
It follows that we are responsible for 24 billion tonnes of the 60 billion tonnes of carbon incorporated by plants annually. Contrast that with the 6 billion tonnes from fossil fuels.
Thinking about the carbon cycle suggests opportunities to better integrate our energy use with management of carbon.
Let’s consider some examples.