Where Does All the Carbon We Release Go?

Videos

Grades8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by TED

Open Resource

What it is

This short video explains the basics of the carbon cycle, fossil fuels, and how human activity is impacting the natural systems.
Using animated images, the video describes how human activity has overloaded Earth's carbon cycle.

Teaching tips

Positives

This video provides a great introduction to the carbon cycle and climate change for students.
The video is brief and uses animated visuals to make the content easy to understand for all ages.

Additional Prerequisites

Teachers may want to review the link provided in the "learn more" section to share more information with students before or after viewing the video.
Students may never have heard of the carbon cycle before watching this video. Consider explaining this in more depth with students before or after viewing.

Differentiation

Subtitles are provided and a transcript is available in 33 languages.
Additional resources on this topic include this interactive carbon cycle game and this video introduction describing the significance of 1.5 degrees of global warming.

From the scientist review

The video underscores the carbon cycle and its mechanism. It is insightful for students to learn and improve on their carbon footprint in order to achieve carbon neutrality. This resource is recommended.

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At a glance

Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Format: Downloadable MP4/M4V
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: TED
Authors: Kristen Bell, Giant Ant
Published: June 2, 2022
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-LS1-6. + 25 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6.MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
MS-ESS3-4.MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
HS-LS2-5.HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6.MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
HS-LS2-5.HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

7.LS1.67.LS1.6 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
HS.LS2.5HS.LS2.5 Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6.MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
HS-LS2-5.HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6MS-LS1-6 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
HS-LS2-5HS-LS2-5 Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6.MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms
HS-LS2-5.HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of various processes in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6.MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
MS-ESS3-4.MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
HS-LS2-5.HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6.MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
HS-LS2-5.HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6MS-LS1-6 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
HS-LS2-5HS-LS2-5 Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

MS-LS1-6.MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
MS-ESS3-4.MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
HS-LS2-5.HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

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