Air and Global Warming

The Earth is unique in our solar system in having an atmosphere able to support life. The Earth's atmosphere is, by volume, 77% nitrogen and 21% oxygen with the balance being composed of other gases.

The bulk of the oxygen in the atmosphere is a result of photosynthesis in plants and trees. During photosynthesis, trees convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into energy to sustain their growth. As a by-product of this chemical reaction, oxygen gets released into the atmosphere. It was the appearance of trees and plants in the Devonian Era that paved the way for life as we know it to exist on earth. By sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, trees help moderate the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to keep the surface temperature within a livable range. By giving off oxygen, trees and plants make it possible for animals to breathe.  

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