Why did Earth and Venus evolve so differently? Why is Earth's atmosphere rich in oxygen and poor in carbon dioxide, whereas the reverse is true on Venus? What would happen to Earth's oceans if Earth were a little bit closer to the Sun?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Even though Earth and Venus are almost “twins,” the two planets evolved so differently because the truth of the matter is they are not “twins”. When thinking about evolution there are so many variables that one cannot say what exactly cause one thing to happen and not another. I believe that the reason why Earth is able to sustain life while Venus is not is due to the fact that Earth is far enough away from the Sun to not burn up, yet close enough not to freeze. This is what I believe made the planets so different. The reason why the Earth’s atmosphere is so rich in oxygen is due to the vegetation that produces it where as there is no plant life on Venus. I do think that at one point in time Venus might have been able to sustain life but due to it being so close to the sun, there is no way it can. Where as if Earth was closer to the Sun, the oceans would surely dry up and then the Earth would be down a path to looking like Venus.