Question 1

Milankovitch cycles .

Accepted Answer

A)  describe upwelling and downwelling in the ocean 
B)  describe the timing of the northern lights in the thermosphere 
C)  are changes in Earth's rotation and orbit that may trigger climate variation 
D)  refer to shifts in the temperature of surface water in the middle latitudes of the Pacific Ocean 
E)  describe the transpiration, evaporation, and precipitation of Earth's water 
A)  describe upwelling and downwelling in the ocean 
B)  describe the timing of the northern lights in the thermosphere 
C)  are changes in Earth's rotation and orbit that may trigger climate variation 
D)  refer to shifts in the temperature of surface water in the middle latitudes of the Pacific Ocean 
E)  describe the transpiration, evaporation, and precipitation of Earth's water C

Question 2

Which of the following is an adaptation response to climate change?

Accepted Answer

A)  a Pacific island nation building higher seawalls 
B)  building a nuclear power plant to replace an outdated coal -burning power plant 
C)  increasing fuel efficiency of new automobiles 
D)  replanting a tropical rainforest 
E)  replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs 
A)  a Pacific island nation building higher seawalls 
B)  building a nuclear power plant to replace an outdated coal -burning power plant 
C)  increasing fuel efficiency of new automobiles 
D)  replanting a tropical rainforest 
E)  replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs A

Question 3

Which of the following is an alternative fuel that could decrease carbon dioxide emissions in the transportation sector?

Accepted Answer

A)  coal 
B)  gasoline 
C)  compressed natural gas 
D)  nuclear fuel rods 
E)  vaporized water 
A)  coal 
B)  gasoline 
C)  compressed natural gas 
D)  nuclear fuel rods 
E)  vaporized water C

Question 4

Carbon dioxide is _.

Accepted Answer

A)  produced during the combustion of fossil fuels 
B)  the only greenhouse gas presently increasing in the atmosphere 
C)  more potent (per molecule of gas) than methane 
D)  the most potent (per molecule of gas) of the greenhouse gases 
E)  the most abundant greenhouse gas 
A)  produced during the combustion of fossil fuels 
B)  the only greenhouse gas presently increasing in the atmosphere 
C)  more potent (per molecule of gas) than methane 
D)  the most potent (per molecule of gas) of the greenhouse gases 
E)  the most abundant greenhouse gas

Question 5

Which of the following may result in a positive feedback mechanism that would intensify climate change?

Accepted Answer

A)  A large volcano emits huge quantities of sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere. 
B)  Warmer temperatures result in the melting of permafrost. 
C)  Warmer temperatures result in increased evaporation of water, leading to an increase in cloud cover. 
D)  An increase in rainfall results in increased plant growth. 
E)  At higher temperatures, trees increase rates of photosynthesis. 
A)  A large volcano emits huge quantities of sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere. 
B)  Warmer temperatures result in the melting of permafrost. 
C)  Warmer temperatures result in increased evaporation of water, leading to an increase in cloud cover. 
D)  An increase in rainfall results in increased plant growth. 
E)  At higher temperatures, trees increase rates of photosynthesis.

Question 6

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an international panel that .

Accepted Answer

A)  constructed the Kyoto Protocol 
B)  reports on how climate change influences wildlife, ecosystems, and society 
C)  performed the research included in the climate change findings 
D)  could not achieve its objectives because of lack of popular support 
E)  fines companies that pollute 
A)  constructed the Kyoto Protocol 
B)  reports on how climate change influences wildlife, ecosystems, and society 
C)  performed the research included in the climate change findings 
D)  could not achieve its objectives because of lack of popular support 
E)  fines companies that pollute

Question 7

What proportion of incoming solar radiation reaches Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  67% 
B)  47% 
C)  54% 
D)  77% 
E)  7% 
A)  67% 
B)  47% 
C)  54% 
D)  77% 
E)  7%

Question 8

Earth's atmosphere can cause global warming because .

Accepted Answer

A)  molecules in the atmosphere trap heat radiated from Earth's surface 
B)  plants release CO2 
C)  fossil fuels release heat when they are burned 
D)  warm air cannot escape, as in a greenhouse 
E)  plants absorb CO2 
A)  molecules in the atmosphere trap heat radiated from Earth's surface 
B)  plants release CO2 
C)  fossil fuels release heat when they are burned 
D)  warm air cannot escape, as in a greenhouse 
E)  plants absorb CO2

Question 9

-If anthropogenic factors continue to increase, then in the future .

Accepted Answer

A)  the lines for all three models and for observed data should show marked decreases 
B)  all of the lines will look more like the line for observed data 
C)  the lines for all three models should show decreases while the observation line would be expected to increase 
D)  the observed temperature trends shown in the figures should continue 
E)  the lines for all three models should level out 
A)  the lines for all three models and for observed data should show marked decreases 
B)  all of the lines will look more like the line for observed data 
C)  the lines for all three models should show decreases while the observation line would be expected to increase 
D)  the observed temperature trends shown in the figures should continue 
E)  the lines for all three models should level out

Question 10

The Kyoto Protocol uses the 1990 emission levels of each nation as a baseline target for greenhouse gas reductions. Which of the following countries showed the greatest increase in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2012?

Accepted Answer

A)  Australia 
B)  United States 
C)  Russia 
D)  Japan 
E)  Canada 
A)  Australia 
B)  United States 
C)  Russia 
D)  Japan 
E)  Canada

Question 11

Public transportation is _.

Accepted Answer

A)  a reliable and convenient option in most U.S. communities 
B)  currently serving only 3% -4% of passenger trips in the U.S. 
C)  more widely used in the United States than in Europe 
D)  already declining in use in most U.S. cities. 
E)  more widely used in the United States than in Canada 
A)  a reliable and convenient option in most U.S. communities 
B)  currently serving only 3% -4% of passenger trips in the U.S. 
C)  more widely used in the United States than in Europe 
D)  already declining in use in most U.S. cities. 
E)  more widely used in the United States than in Canada

Question 12

The average automobile is only about % efficient at moving itself down the road.

Accepted Answer

A)  27 
B)  14 
C)  62 
D)  6.5 
E)  85 
A)  27 
B)  14 
C)  62 
D)  6.5 
E)  85

Question 13

The Kyoto Protocol .

Accepted Answer

A)  increased federal funding for controlling greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. power plants 
B)  required increases in nuclear power generation 
C)  was intended to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases to levels lower than those of 1990 
D)  required equal concessions from all countries involved in greenhouse gas emission 
E)  would have resulted in overall increases in greenhouse emissions 
A)  increased federal funding for controlling greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. power plants 
B)  required increases in nuclear power generation 
C)  was intended to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases to levels lower than those of 1990 
D)  required equal concessions from all countries involved in greenhouse gas emission 
E)  would have resulted in overall increases in greenhouse emissions

Question 14

All of the following are anthropogenic factors contributing to climate change EXCEPT .

Accepted Answer

A)  breathing 
B)  the combustion of fossil fuels 
C)  raising livestock 
D)  growing rice 
E)  deforestation 
A)  breathing 
B)  the combustion of fossil fuels 
C)  raising livestock 
D)  growing rice 
E)  deforestation

Question 15

One factor contributing to U.S. resistance to legal intervention regarding global climate change is .

Accepted Answer

A)  the precautionary principle 
B)  lack of scientific evidence supporting global climate change 
C)  lack of support from other developed nations around the world 
D)  political influence of the petroleum, coal, and automobile industries 
E)  the success of voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions by U.S. power plants 
A)  the precautionary principle 
B)  lack of scientific evidence supporting global climate change 
C)  lack of support from other developed nations around the world 
D)  political influence of the petroleum, coal, and automobile industries 
E)  the success of voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions by U.S. power plants

Question 16

Small island nations such as the Maldives are in the international spotlight because they .

Accepted Answer

A)  opposed China's proposals for global carbon neutrality at the Copenhagen Conference in 2009 
B)  have exceeded the emissions reductions set by the Kyoto Protocol 
C)  are the largest emissions producers in their respective areas 
D)  may be among the first nations to be completely flooded by rising sea levels 
E)  are accepting climate change refugees from other nations 
A)  opposed China's proposals for global carbon neutrality at the Copenhagen Conference in 2009 
B)  have exceeded the emissions reductions set by the Kyoto Protocol 
C)  are the largest emissions producers in their respective areas 
D)  may be among the first nations to be completely flooded by rising sea levels 
E)  are accepting climate change refugees from other nations

Question 17

The greenhouse effect involves warming of Earth's surface and the _.

Accepted Answer

A)  stratosphere 
B)  mesosphere 
C)  ionosphere 
D)  thermosphere 
E)  troposphere 
A)  stratosphere 
B)  mesosphere 
C)  ionosphere 
D)  thermosphere 
E)  troposphere

Question 18

The largest source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the United States is .

Accepted Answer

A)  tropical deforestation 
B)  transportation 
C)  electricity generation 
D)  agriculture 
E)  nuclear power plants 
A)  tropical deforestation 
B)  transportation 
C)  electricity generation 
D)  agriculture 
E)  nuclear power plants

Question 19

In the wake of the U.S. failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, .

Accepted Answer

A)  U.S. cities and states are setting their own programs for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 
B)  many nations have severed diplomatic relations with the United States 
C)  dozens of other nations pulled out of the Protocol 
D)  oil exporting nations have refused to sell to the United States 
E)  the United States has shown that it is a leader in carbon emission reduction without having signed the Protocol 
A)  U.S. cities and states are setting their own programs for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 
B)  many nations have severed diplomatic relations with the United States 
C)  dozens of other nations pulled out of the Protocol 
D)  oil exporting nations have refused to sell to the United States 
E)  the United States has shown that it is a leader in carbon emission reduction without having signed the Protocol

Question 20

Human sources of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere include all of the following EXCEPT .

Accepted Answer

A)  burning fuel wood 
B)  feedlots 
C)  synthetic nitrogen fertilizers 
D)  automobiles 
E)  chemical manufacturing plants 
A)  burning fuel wood 
B)  feedlots 
C)  synthetic nitrogen fertilizers 
D)  automobiles 
E)  chemical manufacturing plants

Exam 18: The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Milankovitch cycles .

Which of the following is an adaptation response to climate change?

Which of the following is an alternative fuel that could decrease carbon dioxide emissions in the transportation sector?

Carbon dioxide is _.

Which of the following may result in a positive feedback mechanism that would intensify climate change?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an international panel that .

What proportion of incoming solar radiation reaches Earth's surface?

Earth's atmosphere can cause global warming because .

-If anthropogenic factors continue to increase, then in the future .

The Kyoto Protocol uses the 1990 emission levels of each nation as a baseline target for greenhouse gas reductions. Which of the following countries showed the greatest increase in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2012?

Public transportation is _.

The average automobile is only about % efficient at moving itself down the road.

The Kyoto Protocol .

All of the following are anthropogenic factors contributing to climate change EXCEPT .

One factor contributing to U.S. resistance to legal intervention regarding global climate change is .

Small island nations such as the Maldives are in the international spotlight because they .

The greenhouse effect involves warming of Earth's surface and the _.

The largest source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the United States is .

In the wake of the U.S. failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, .

Human sources of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere include all of the following EXCEPT .

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

Sustainable Solutions

Answers to Data Analysis Questions

How to Interpret Graphs

Metric System

Periodic Table of the Elements

Geologic Time Scale Glossary Credits Index

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