Introduction

Whole Systems Approach to Ecological Design

Appropriate Technology: Water

Organic Agriculture and Local Food

Appropriate Technology: Energy

Green Building & Retrofitting

Carbon Cycle

The sustainable cycle, which has been the normal condition up to the start of the industrial revolution, involves carbon cycling between the atmosphere, the oceans and the land (forests soil and vegetation).  This has been disrupted by emissions of greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide – from the burning of fossil fuels.  The resulting increase of CO2 in the atmosphere acts as a planetary “greenhouse”, allowing the sun’s ultra-violet energy to pass through the upper atmosphere.  This UV energy is reflected from the ground as infrared energy, which is largely trapped by the CO2 and so the planet heats up.

• Carbon cycle
• Climate change
• Carbon footprint
• Carbon emissions reduction
• Effects of climate change
• Peak Oil

The Carbon Cycle