Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been increasing gradually for many years. Scientists cite this increase as one of the main causes of climate change, which is a serious environmental problem for people all over the world. One component of a possible engineering solution to this problem is to use plants, algae, or phytoplankton to increase the global rate of photosynthesis. What scientific reasoning provides evidence that this solution could be effective?
A. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms provide food for consumers, who perform cellular respiration.
B. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms change into fossil fuels over time.
C. Photosynthesis acts to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere.
D. Photosynthesis traps carbon dioxide in the soil.