When we burn fossil fuels it gets oxidized to a carbon dioxide molecule and releases energy.

The
carbon dioxide molecule gets released in the atmosphere. When the carbon dioxide is released in
the atmosphere it interacts with the larger carbon cycle which includes the landmass, atmosphere,
and oceans.

Initially due the increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere more of the incoming
heat from the sun is absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere making it warmer. However, over millions
of years it interacts with the other carbon sinks and the carbon from atmosphere gets stored in the
landmass and oceans and an equilibrium is achieved.

Landmass – Carbon dioxide can be stored in the landmass by two mechanisms. Firstly, any living
organism absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere directly or indirectly. After the death of these
organisms the carbon dioxide gets stored in the landmass and eventually gets converted back to
fossil fuels. Secondly, the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reacts with the igneous volcanic rocks
and forms calcium carbonate(lime) rocks which then gets stored in the ocean beds.

Oceans – Oceans are one of the largest carbon sinks in the earth. The oceans act as buffers to the
carbon dioxide and the carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean by forming carbonic acid. However,
oceans take up carbon dioxide very slowly in the tune of millions of years