The Atmosphere's Impact on Climate and Life on Earth

Explore the fundamental aspects of Earth's atmosphere and its profound influence on climate and life in this comprehensive 33-minute video. Delve into the atmospheric structure, circulation patterns, and composition, with a particular emphasis on the carbon cycle and its role in global climate change. Learn about the formation of Earth's atmosphere, its evolution from an oxygen-poor environment, and the various layers that comprise it. Discover key concepts such as albedo, the greenhouse effect, and atmospheric circulation. Examine the current imbalance in the carbon cycle, the role of water vapor as a greenhouse gas, and the complex feedback mechanisms driving climate change. Gain insights into the ongoing sixth mass extinction and critically assess the impact of atmospheric CO2 on our planet's future.

Atmosphere allows life on Earth
How Earth's atmosphere formed
Early atmosphere lacked oxygen
Atmospheric layers
Albedo reflectivity
Earth radiation & greenhouse effect
Upper atmospheric layers
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric composition
Imbalance of the C cycle
Water vapor as a greenhouse gas
Atmospheric warming outweighs cooling
Climate feedback mechanisms
6th mass extinction
Is atmospheric CO2 bad?
Rate vs magnitude of climate change