Question 1

A computer model predicts a rise in mean global temperature by 3.6°F. How will this affect the oceans?

Accepted Answer

A)  increased pH of surface waters 
B)  increased CO2 concentration in deeper waters 
C)  increased thermal expansion of water 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  increased pH of surface waters 
B)  increased CO2 concentration in deeper waters 
C)  increased thermal expansion of water 
D)  All of these are correct. C

Question 2

Which of the actions would address the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  switching to more energy efficient light-emitting diode (LE
D)  bulbs 
B)  setting thermostats to 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer 
C)  walking or biking to work and to other routine destinations 
D)  buying locally produced organic foods 
A)  switching to more energy efficient light-emitting diode (LE
D)  bulbs 
B)  setting thermostats to 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer 
C)  walking or biking to work and to other routine destinations 
D)  buying locally produced organic foods C

Question 3

In phenology, scientists study changes in subjects such as

Accepted Answer

A)  ocean acidification. 
B)  precipitation patterns. 
C)  bird migrations. 
D)  climate models. 
A)  ocean acidification. 
B)  precipitation patterns. 
C)  bird migrations. 
D)  climate models. C

Question 4

The geothermal gradient is due to

Accepted Answer

A)  decaying radioactive elements that release energy and heat the crust 
B)  changing patterns of Earth's orbit, tilt, and rotational axis 
C)  drifting continental landmasses over geologic time 
D)  heat trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere 
A)  decaying radioactive elements that release energy and heat the crust 
B)  changing patterns of Earth's orbit, tilt, and rotational axis 
C)  drifting continental landmasses over geologic time 
D)  heat trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Question 5

In the United States, which source of greenhouse gas emissions is the largest?

Accepted Answer

A)  transportation 
B)  home heating 
C)  electricity production 
D)  agriculture 
A)  transportation 
B)  home heating 
C)  electricity production 
D)  agriculture

Question 6

At summer breeding grounds, insects provide food for a migratory bird species. Climate change could disrupt bird migration by affecting which factor?

Accepted Answer

A)  the fact that birds migrate according to the sun's location 
B)  the fact that birds are the primary predators of insects 
C)  the fact that insects emerge from hibernation in spring and summer 
D)  the fact that insects feed on native plant populations 
A)  the fact that birds migrate according to the sun's location 
B)  the fact that birds are the primary predators of insects 
C)  the fact that insects emerge from hibernation in spring and summer 
D)  the fact that insects feed on native plant populations

Question 7

Which is the most significant greenhouse gas released by human activities?

Accepted Answer

A)  water vapor H2O 
B)  methane CH4 
C)  carbon dioxide CO2 
D)  nitrous oxide N2O 
A)  water vapor H2O 
B)  methane CH4 
C)  carbon dioxide CO2 
D)  nitrous oxide N2O

Question 8

Terika states that the recent warming trend is due to the "natural variability" of climate rather than the result of human activity. What does she mean by "natural variability"? Identify two reasons why Terika's conclusion is not supported by the evidence.

Accepted Answer

Terika is correct that climate does chan

Question 9

Carbon dioxide is considered to be the primary greenhouse gas because

Accepted Answer

A)  it has the highest heat-trapping potential per molecule. 
B)  it is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. 
C)  it is responsible for most of the recent global warming. 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  it has the highest heat-trapping potential per molecule. 
B)  it is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. 
C)  it is responsible for most of the recent global warming. 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 10

A letter to the editor in the local newspaper claims that the greenhouse effect is a political hoax that plays no significant role in Earth's climate. Construct a response to this letter that first describes how the greenhouse effect works in Earth's atmosphere and then explains the importance of the greenhouse effect for Earth's energy balance.

Accepted Answer

Incoming radiation (sunlight) from the s

Question 11

Climate models for the United States predict

Accepted Answer

A)  an increased frequency of droughts. 
B)  an increased frequency of extreme precipitation events. 
C)  increased variability and less predictability of the climate. 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  an increased frequency of droughts. 
B)  an increased frequency of extreme precipitation events. 
C)  increased variability and less predictability of the climate. 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 12

Select the example of a balancing feedback loop.

Accepted Answer

A)  Warming in urban areas leads to increased electrical demand for air conditioning. 
B)  Melting permafrost releases methane from storage in the groun 
C)  The cost of flood insurance rose by 25% following Superstorm Sandy. 
D)  Increased algae growth in warmer waters leads to more absorption of carbon dioxide. 
A)  Warming in urban areas leads to increased electrical demand for air conditioning. 
B)  Melting permafrost releases methane from storage in the groun 
C)  The cost of flood insurance rose by 25% following Superstorm Sandy. 
D)  Increased algae growth in warmer waters leads to more absorption of carbon dioxide.

Question 13

Under a scenario of rapid emission reduction, climate models still project a warming global climate because

Accepted Answer

A)  carbon dioxide emissions remain in the atmosphere for at least a century. 
B)  energy held in the upper atmosphere takes decades to transfer to the Earth's surface. 
C)  greenhouse gases make up a large percentage of the overall atmosphere. 
D)  None of these are correct. 
A)  carbon dioxide emissions remain in the atmosphere for at least a century. 
B)  energy held in the upper atmosphere takes decades to transfer to the Earth's surface. 
C)  greenhouse gases make up a large percentage of the overall atmosphere. 
D)  None of these are correct.

Question 14

Atmospheric greenhouse gases cause the greenhouse effect by

Accepted Answer

A)  degrading the natural atmospheric filter against incoming solar energy 
B)  absorbing heat energy from ultraviolet rays produced by the sun 
C)  depleting the heavy isotope of oxygen (18O) from air at the poles 
D)  preventing the escape of radiant heat from Earth's surface into space 
A)  degrading the natural atmospheric filter against incoming solar energy 
B)  absorbing heat energy from ultraviolet rays produced by the sun 
C)  depleting the heavy isotope of oxygen (18O) from air at the poles 
D)  preventing the escape of radiant heat from Earth's surface into space

Question 15

"Embodied energy" refers to the energy

Accepted Answer

A)  used to make and transport goods. 
B)  saved through conservation efforts. 
C)  lost through inefficiencies and waste. 
D)  available to offset carbon footprint.s 
A)  used to make and transport goods. 
B)  saved through conservation efforts. 
C)  lost through inefficiencies and waste. 
D)  available to offset carbon footprint.s

Question 16

Computational models of global climate

Accepted Answer

A)  are not effective prediction tools because there are too many variables. 
B)  are effective when inputs include both natural and human factors. 
C)  are effective when inputs only include natural factors. 
D)  are effective when inputs only include human factors. 
A)  are not effective prediction tools because there are too many variables. 
B)  are effective when inputs include both natural and human factors. 
C)  are effective when inputs only include natural factors. 
D)  are effective when inputs only include human factors.

Question 17

About 40% of the sea-level rise since 1980 is attributed to

Accepted Answer

A)  melting icebergs. 
B)  the thermal expansion of water in the oceans. 
C)  melting glaciers. 
D)  increased precipitation over oceans. 
A)  melting icebergs. 
B)  the thermal expansion of water in the oceans. 
C)  melting glaciers. 
D)  increased precipitation over oceans.

Question 18

Select the item with the highest embodied energy for a typical American.

Accepted Answer

A)  pineapple imported by air from Costa Rica 
B)  sweet corn produced locally using synthetic fertilizer 
C)  organically grown oranges transported 500 miles by truck 
D)  green beans grown in the backyard garden 
A)  pineapple imported by air from Costa Rica 
B)  sweet corn produced locally using synthetic fertilizer 
C)  organically grown oranges transported 500 miles by truck 
D)  green beans grown in the backyard garden

Question 19

Volcanic eruptions

Accepted Answer

A)  release dark soot particles with high albedo 
B)  correlate with glacial epochs called ice ages 
C)  initiated mass extinction events 
D)  emit more carbon dioxide than industrial processes 
A)  release dark soot particles with high albedo 
B)  correlate with glacial epochs called ice ages 
C)  initiated mass extinction events 
D)  emit more carbon dioxide than industrial processes

Question 20

Most methane emissions arise from

Accepted Answer

A)  animal digestive tracts 
B)  wetlands 
C)  volcanoes 
D)  human sources 
A)  animal digestive tracts 
B)  wetlands 
C)  volcanoes 
D)  human sources

A computer model predicts a rise in mean global temperature by 3.6°F. How will this affect the oceans?

Which of the actions would address the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States?

In phenology, scientists study changes in subjects such as

The geothermal gradient is due to

In the United States, which source of greenhouse gas emissions is the largest?

At summer breeding grounds, insects provide food for a migratory bird species. Climate change could disrupt bird migration by affecting which factor?

Which is the most significant greenhouse gas released by human activities?

Terika states that the recent warming trend is due to the "natural variability" of climate rather than the result of human activity. What does she mean by "natural variability"? Identify two reasons why Terika's conclusion is not supported by the evidence.

Carbon dioxide is considered to be the primary greenhouse gas because

Climate models for the United States predict

Select the example of a balancing feedback loop.

Under a scenario of rapid emission reduction, climate models still project a warming global climate because

Atmospheric greenhouse gases cause the greenhouse effect by

"Embodied energy" refers to the energy

Computational models of global climate

About 40% of the sea-level rise since 1980 is attributed to

Select the item with the highest embodied energy for a typical American.

Volcanic eruptions

Most methane emissions arise from

Environmental Science and Sustainability: Whats the Big Idea

Ethics, Economics, and Policy: Who or What Do We Value

Matter and Energy: What Are the Building Blocks of Sustainability

Life: What Shapes Biodiversity

Conservation: Why Is It Important to Protect Biodiversity

Human Population: Can We Have Too Many People

Water: How Do We Use It and Affect Its Quality

Air: What Are We Breathing

Land: How Does It Shape Us

Systems and Cycles: Are We Changing Earths Life Support System

Food: How Do We Feed Ourselves

Fossil Fuels: Energy of the Industrial Age

Energy Alternatives: How Are Our Energy Decisions Changing

Waste: What Happens to All the Stuff We Use

Urbanization: Why Are Cities Growing

Environmental Health and Justice: How Does Our Environment Affect Our Health

Decision Making: Why Do Our Choices Matter

Groups and Organizations: How Do We Work Together for Sustainability

Government: How Can Policy Influence Sustainability

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Exam 11: Climate: How Does Global Climate Change

A computer model predicts a rise in mean global temperature by 3.6°F. How will this affect the oceans?

Which of the actions would address the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States?

In phenology, scientists study changes in subjects such as

The geothermal gradient is due to

In the United States, which source of greenhouse gas emissions is the largest?

At summer breeding grounds, insects provide food for a migratory bird species. Climate change could disrupt bird migration by affecting which factor?

Which is the most significant greenhouse gas released by human activities?

Terika states that the recent warming trend is due to the "natural variability" of climate rather than the result of human activity. What does she mean by "natural variability"? Identify two reasons why Terika's conclusion is not supported by the evidence.

Carbon dioxide is considered to be the primary greenhouse gas because

Climate models for the United States predict

Select the example of a balancing feedback loop.

Under a scenario of rapid emission reduction, climate models still project a warming global climate because

Atmospheric greenhouse gases cause the greenhouse effect by

"Embodied energy" refers to the energy

Computational models of global climate

About 40% of the sea-level rise since 1980 is attributed to

Select the item with the highest embodied energy for a typical American.

Volcanic eruptions

Most methane emissions arise from

Environmental Science and Sustainability: Whats the Big Idea

Ethics, Economics, and Policy: Who or What Do We Value

Matter and Energy: What Are the Building Blocks of Sustainability

Life: What Shapes Biodiversity

Conservation: Why Is It Important to Protect Biodiversity

Human Population: Can We Have Too Many People

Water: How Do We Use It and Affect Its Quality

Air: What Are We Breathing

Land: How Does It Shape Us

Systems and Cycles: Are We Changing Earths Life Support System

Food: How Do We Feed Ourselves

Fossil Fuels: Energy of the Industrial Age

Energy Alternatives: How Are Our Energy Decisions Changing

Waste: What Happens to All the Stuff We Use

Urbanization: Why Are Cities Growing

Environmental Health and Justice: How Does Our Environment Affect Our Health

Decision Making: Why Do Our Choices Matter

Groups and Organizations: How Do We Work Together for Sustainability

Government: How Can Policy Influence Sustainability

Filters