The intricate and complex web of feedback cycles that compose the climate system have kept earth's climate relatively stable throughout time. Although from our perspective climate appears extremely variable, swinging from glacial periods to times of incredible warmth, climate has consistently remained within a range that is able to support life for billions of years. This stability can be primarily attributed to the importance of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas and the long-term carbon cycle which, until recently, has dictated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.