The climate of the earth is influenced by the amount of solar energy the earth receives and the composition of earths atmosphere. The earth has more carbon dioxide in its atmosphere now than it ever has during the existence of humans.

Watch the Click and Learn Video on the HHMI Biointeractive website entitled Paleoclimate: A history of Change at the link

• Explain the reasons why the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased dramatically in the past 150 years.
• The rise of carbon dioxide effects global temperatures and causes climate change. Climate for the most part has changed throughout the history of the earth, gradually over thousands of years, explain two consequences of rapid climate change to life on earth.