Earth Systems and Atmosphere

The Water Cycle

Similar to carbon and the carbon cycle, water is stored in each of the spheres and is moved from one sphere to another in the water cycle.

What’s water’s role in climate change?

Carbon dioxide's effect on global warming is greatly increased by water vapor (the gas phase of water) in the air. As the atmosphere warms, it is able to absorb more water vapor. And that water vapor causes further warming by increasing the effects of carbon dioxide. This means there are more water molecules trapping heat which increases global warming.