Plants absorb carbon dioxide,water and sunlight to make their own food,grow and release oxygen through photosynthesis. They're a huge part in keeping our air clean. The carbon becomes part of the plant. ... When humans burn fossil fuels, most carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels are burned. When humans burn fossil fuels to power factories, power plants, cars and trucks, most of the carbon quickly enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas. ... Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans.