The Travels of Tiny Carbon

Meet Cee-Cee, the sparkling atom on a journey from the sky to the deep earth!

Cee-Cee the carbon atom in a leaf, a cloud, and a diamond.

Meet Tiny Carbon

Everything on Earth is made of tiny building blocks, and the busiest block of all is Carbon! Meet Cee-Cee. Cee-Cee is a traveler who loves to move from the air, to the trees, and even deep into the ground. When Cee-Cee is in the right place, life is perfect!

A smiling oak tree inhaling Cee-Cee into a bright green leaf.

The Forest Nap

Trees are Cee-Cee’s favorite place to rest. When a tree "breathes," it catches Tiny Carbon from the air and turns it into wood and leaves. This is how trees help keep the air fresh and cool for all of us!

Cee-Cee tucked into a cozy earth-blanket with ancient fossils.

The Long, Long Nap

Millions of years ago, lots of Tiny Carbons went to sleep deep underground. They turned into coal and oil—Earth’s "Ancient Energy." They were happy staying tucked away for a very long time.

Cee-Cee being released into the sky from a factory chimney.

Too Many Travelers!

When we burn coal and oil, we wake up millions of Tiny Carbons all at once! Now, there are too many Cee-Cees floating in the sky with nowhere to go. When they bunch together, they act like a warm blanket that makes the Earth feel a bit too toasty.

A parent and child planting a sapling with Cee-Cee floating toward it.

Finding a New Home

How do we help Tiny Carbon? We build more homes for them! By planting forests and protecting our soil, we give Cee-Cee a place to rest again. When Carbon is back in the ground and the trees, the Earth stays perfectly cool.

Friendly scientists using a machine to gather carbon atoms.

The Carbon Catchers

There has been so much Tiny Carbon released into the sky that our scientist friends are building special machines to help! These "Carbon Catchers" safely gather extra carbon and tuck it back deep underground where it can sleep peacefully again.

Nature and science working together to house Tiny Carbon.

The Ultimate Team-Up!

To help the Earth, we need a "Big Team" strategy! Nature's giant green forests and our clever new Carbon Catcher machines are working together. When we use every tool we have, we make sure there’s a perfect home for every Tiny Carbon!

A celebration of the future with a Carbon Hero checklist.

Are You a Carbon Keeper?

Complete your mission to help Cee-Cee get home!

  • Plant a Tree: Help a plant grow today!
  • Recycle Smart: Feed a garden or start a compost pile!
  • Save Energy: Save power so we don't wake up more Carbon!