The element carbon is the basis for all life on Earth. What makes carbon so special? And what does the term organic molecules mean? In this video we learn about the carbon cycle – how carbon atoms transfer back and forth between the atmosphere and plants and animals – and why using fossil fuels contributes to global warming.

This is the sixth film in a series of seven videos produced by Molecular Frontiers and Eoscene Productions, in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, with financial support by Hasselbladsstiftelsen. We encourage you to use it in education, for example as an introduction to the corresponding chapter in the chemistry textbook!

For more videos, check out moleclues.org.