Carbon Budget

• Define carbon budget?


  the difference between the inputs of carbon into a subsystem and outputs of carbon from a subsystem
• What determines whether a subsystem acts as a carbon source or a carbon sink

  the balance of the inputs and outputs of a system
• Carbon source


  the outputs of carbon outweigh the inputs, so it releases more carbon than it absorbs
• Carbon sink


  the inputs of carbon outweigh the outputs, so it absorbs more carbon than it releases
• what is the carbon cycle fundamental to?

  Life on earth
• What can happen when there is a change to the carbon cycle

  this can have significant impacts on the atmosphere, land and oceans