Deck 14: Global Climate Change

Question 1

The atmosphere around Earth can cause global warming because ______________.

A) plants release CO₂
B) fossil fuels release heat
C) warm air cannot escape, as in a greenhouse
D) molecules in the atmosphere are warmed by radiation from Earth and retain that heat
E) plants absorb CO₂

Answer 1

molecules in the atmosphere are warmed by radiation from Earth and retain that heat

Question 2

Use the figure above to answer the following question.
The region of the planet that will see the smallest rises in temperature is _________________

A) oceans
B) the Antarctic
C) islands
D) Asia/Australia
E) the Arctic

Answer 2

oceans

Question 3

Use the figure above to answer the following question.
Compared to Antarctica, the percent increase in temperature in the Arctic will be ________________

A) the same
B) 10 times less
C) 10 times greater
D) less
E) greater

Answer 3

greater

Question 4

Use the figure above to answer the following question.
A large area of the United States will see temperature rises of _______________ °C.

A) 5.5-6.5
B) 1.5-2.5
C) 6.5-7.5
D) 4.5-5.5
E) 3.5-4.5

Question 5

The largest source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the United States is ____________, followed by ______________.

A) electricity generation; transportation
B) agriculture; electricity generation
C) electricity generation; industry
D) agriculture; transportation
E) electricity generation; agriculture

Question 6

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following:
Predominant greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels

A)hydrogen
B)carbon monoxide
C)water vapor
D)nitrous oxide
E)methane
F)sulfate aerosol
G)ozone
H)argon
I)carbon dioxide
J)ammonia

Question 7

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following:
Produced by microbes decomposing matter in landfills and as a metabolic byproduct of livestock

A)hydrogen
B)carbon monoxide
C)water vapor
D)nitrous oxide
E)methane
F)sulfate aerosol
G)ozone
H)argon
I)carbon dioxide
J)ammonia

Question 8

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ______________.

A) fines companies that pollute
B) could not achieve its objectives because of lack of popular support
C) is an international panel that reports on how climate change influences biomes and economies
D) performed the research included in the climate change findings
E) constructed the Kyoto Protocol

Question 9

Carbon dioxide is ______________.

A) the most abundant greenhouse gas
B) the most potent (per molecule of gas) of the greenhouse gases
C) the main anthropogenic greenhouse gas produced in the United States
D) the only greenhouse gas presently increasing in the atmosphere
E) more potent (per molecule of gas) than methane

Question 10

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following:
By-product of feedlots, chemical manufacturing, and fertilizer use

A)hydrogen
B)carbon monoxide
C)water vapor
D)nitrous oxide
E)methane
F)sulfate aerosol
G)ozone
H)argon
I)carbon dioxide
J)ammonia

Question 11

Milankovitch cycles ______________.

A) describe the timing of the northern lights in the thermosphere
B) describe upwelling and downwelling in the ocean
C) are changes in Earthʹs rotation and orbit around the sun 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 Earthʹs water

Question 12

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following:
Most abundant greenhouse gas

A)hydrogen
B)carbon monoxide
C)water vapor
D)nitrous oxide
E)methane
F)sulfate aerosol
G)ozone
H)argon
I)carbon dioxide
J)ammonia

Question 13

Earthʹs climate ______________.

A) will stabilize over the next century, according to the predictions of most scientists
B) has been stable over the history of the planet
C) has changed only once due to the evolution of green photosynthesizing plants
D) history is undeterminable because there is no method of studying climatic history of the planet
E) is changing as a result of natural and human processes

Question 14

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following:
Compound that contributes to short-term atmospheric cooling

A)hydrogen
B)carbon monoxide
C)water vapor
D)nitrous oxide
E)methane
F)sulfate aerosol
G)ozone
H)argon
I)carbon dioxide
J)ammonia

Question 15

Use the figure above to answer the following question.
The temperature change over most of Asia is predicted to be _________________ °C.

A) 2.5-3.5
B) 0.5-1.5
C) 1.5-2.5
D) 3.5-4.5
E) 4.5-5.5

Question 16

Soot particles (ʺblack carbon aerosolsʺ) generally cause ______________ of Earthʹs atmosphere by ______________ solar energy.

A) warming; absorbing
B) cooling; reflecting
C) cooling; absorbing
D) cooling; radiating
E) warming; reflecting

Question 17

Keelingʹs reports from Mauna Loa demonstrated ______________.

A) that as distances from cities decreased, CO₂ concentrations increased
B) the presence of El Niño
C) an increase in tropospheric CO₂ from the 1950s to present
D) that sediments deposited on the seafloor can yield clues about past climates
E) that CO₂ levels have been stable over the last 40 years

Question 18

The oceans hold ______________ carbon than the atmosphere.

A) 10,000 times less
B) 1000 times less
C) 10,000 times more
D) 5 times more
E) 50 times more

Question 19

Of the following greenhouse gases, ______________ concentrations have increased the most since 1750.

A) water vapor
B) ozone
C) nitrous oxide
D) carbon dioxide
E) methane

Question 20

Use the figure above to answer the following question.
According to the map, the area that will experience the greatest increase in temperatures is ______________.

A) north temperate areas: Canada and Eurasia
B) desert areas
C) oceans
D) the tropics
E) the Arctic and subarctic

Question 21

Recent research indicates that the variation in solar output ______________.

A) is greater than all the anthropogenic factors affecting climate change
B) will increase by a hundredfold over then next century
C) is less than any of the anthropogenic factors affecting climate change
D) is the major factor driving temperature change
E) is more than 20 watts/m2

Question 22

______________ % of U.S. citizens live in coastal counties, thus vulnerable to rises in sea level.

A) 53
B) 10
C) 95
D) 83
E) 20

Question 23

All of the following will likely be impacts of global climate change on sea levels except ______________.

A) salt water intrusion into aquifers
B) coastal flooding
C) greater storm surges
D) increasing beach erosion
E) receding coastlines

Question 24

The Kyoto Protocol is to carbon dioxide as the Montreal Protocol is to ______________.

A) nitrous oxide
B) carbon monoxide
C) ozone
D) methane
E) chlorofluorocarbons

Question 25

Growing rice results in the release of ______________ into the atmosphere.

A) sulfur oxides
B) methane
C) ozone
D) sulfate aerosols
E) carbon dioxide

Question 26

Keeling began measuring tropospheric carbon dioxide concentrations at Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii in 1958. This is a remote location away from urban and industrial areas. If Keeling had instead established his CO₂ monitoring station near a large coal-fired power plant then ______________.

A) his measurements would be influenced by the amount of soot produced by the power plant
B) the heat given off by the power plant would give him higher than expected readings
C) his measurements of CO₂ levels would likely be much lower than a place like Mauna Loa
D) his measurements of CO₂ levels would likely be much higher than in a place like Mauna Loa
E) his measurements of CO₂ levels would likely be about the same as a place like Mauna Loa

Question 27

Carbon-based fuels from lithospheric reservoirs ______________.

A) are formed from the deposition, partial decay, and compression of inorganic matter
B) cannot be lost to the atmosphere by human processes once stabilized on Earthʹs surface
C) are readily lost from Earthʹs surface in the absence of humans
D) will be lost before the end of the decade
E) have been slowly sequestered over many millions of years

Question 28

The most recent analyses of polar ice cores have given us the ability to profile global climate change back as far as ______________ years.

A) 50,000
B) 800,000
C) 1000
D) 100,000
E) 300,000,000

Question 29

Tuvalu and the Maldives are in the international spotlight because they ______________.

A) opposed Chinaʹs 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) are accepting climate change refugees from other nations
E) may be the first nations to be completely flooded by rising sea levels

Question 30

Hydrogen fuel cells, biodiesel, and long-term electric batteries are potential solutions to ______________.

A) cutting back the carbon emissions from hydroelectric plants
B) carbon sequestration
C) reducing carbon emissions from cars and trucks
D) cap-and-trade emission control
E) replacing coal as a major fuel for generating electricity

Question 31

In legislation, the precautionary principle applied to climate change states that ______________.

A) all alternative sources of energy should be evaluated by the scientific community before marketing
B) permit trading should be undertaken with caution
C) lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used to postpone measures to prevent major environmental degradation
D) caution should be used in handling hazardous wastes
E) alterations to legislation must be done in a way that maximizes environmental protection at the urging of scientists without recourse from the voting public

Question 32

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

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

Question 33

The Kyoto Protocol ______________.

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

Question 34

The U.S. Senate has so far opposed emissions reductions on the grounds that ______________.

A) it might hurt the economy
B) the United States does not emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases
C) President Obama rejected the scientific basis of global climate change
D) the United States already has reduced its emissions by 68% as agreed in the Copenhagen treaty
E) no other nations have pledged reductions

Question 35

Of the following, ______________ are market mechanisms for addressing climate change.

A) carbon taxes and fee-and-dividend benefits
B) mitigation and adaptation
C) international treaties from global conferences
D) carbon neutrality and carbon aggression policies
E) cap-and-trade and carbon offsets

Question 36

The use of public transportation is ______________.

A) higher in the United States compared to Europe
B) more expensive than driving a car
C) one of the best options for decreasing the use of fossil fuels for transportation
D) increasing rapidly in the face of concerns over climate change
E) subsidized by the U.S. government

Question 37

The greenhouse effect involves warming of Earthʹs surface and the ______________.

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

Question 38

Hydroelectric power generation ______________.

A) produces pollutants that contribute significantly to acid precipitation
B) produces high quantities of greenhouse gases
C) uses fuel cells to generate electricity
D) has no undesirable environmental effects
E) is an alternative to fossil fuels that produces fewer greenhouse gases

Question 39

Over ______________ % of the fuel you pump into your automobile does something other than move your vehicle down the road.

A) 25
B) 65
C) 55
D) 85
E) 45

Question 40

Recent evidence from polar ice core analysis shows that, until now, carbon dioxide levels have never exceeded ______________ ppm in the last several hundred thousand years.

A) 25
B) 1000
C) 200
D) 300
E) 500

Question 41

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that physical, biological, and economic evidence exists confirming global climate change due to human -produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earthʹs carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions have not been effective in reducing greenhouse gases. Revisions to the 1970 Clean Air Act, called the ʺClear Skies Initiative,ʺ were proposed to limit mercury, nitric oxides, and sulfur oxide emissions from power plants. Nicknamed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as the ʺClear Lies Initiative,ʺ this proposal did not specifically address emission of carbon dioxide, and its loopholes precluded older power plants from modernizing, seemingly supporting polluting industries with political influence. Environmentalists are arguing for immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and provide subsidies for renewable energy. They favor ʺportfolio standards,ʺ requiring electric companies to provide clean energy alternatives to consumers and ʺgreen tags,ʺ
ʺwind certificates,ʺ and ʺgreen pricingʺ to support the use of alternative fuels.
One factor contributing to U.S. resistance to legal intervention regarding global climate change is ______________.

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

Question 42

How can scientists learn about climatic history?

Question 43

Explain how human health may suffer or benefit from global climate change.

Question 44

Explain how climate change can affect agriculture and forestry.

Question 45

Briefly explain why water vapor may either contribute to or slow global warming.

Question 46

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that physical, biological, and economic evidence exists confirming global climate change due to human -produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earthʹs carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions have not been effective in reducing greenhouse gases. Revisions to the 1970 Clean Air Act, called the ʺClear Skies Initiative,ʺ were proposed to limit mercury, nitric oxides, and sulfur oxide emissions from power plants. Nicknamed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as the ʺClear Lies Initiative,ʺ this proposal did not specifically address emission of carbon dioxide, and its loopholes precluded older power plants from modernizing, seemingly supporting polluting industries with political influence. Environmentalists are arguing for immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and provide subsidies for renewable energy. They favor ʺportfolio standards,ʺ requiring electric companies to provide clean energy alternatives to consumers and ʺgreen tags,ʺ
ʺwind certificates,ʺ and ʺgreen pricingʺ to support the use of alternative fuels.
The United States should enact laws slowing global climate change because ______________.

A) global climate change effects are most significant in the United States
B) the United States is a major producer of greenhouse gases
C) the United States is the most populous nation on Earth
D) U.S. industry supports the legislation
E) we would be the first nation to initiate efforts to slow global climate change

Question 47

Describe how freshwater ecosystems face challenges of global climate change. Give an example from the text.

Question 48

How certain are scientists that humans are causing global climate change? Describe the language used by scientists and some of the particular climate trends they have identified as changing. If the scientific community is convinced of the evidence, why is there still debate?

Question 49

Why is the concept of radiative forcing critical to understanding the causes of global climate change?

Question 50

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that physical, biological, and economic evidence exists confirming global climate change due to human -produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earthʹs carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions have not been effective in reducing greenhouse gases. Revisions to the 1970 Clean Air Act, called the ʺClear Skies Initiative,ʺ were proposed to limit mercury, nitric oxides, and sulfur oxide emissions from power plants. Nicknamed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as the ʺClear Lies Initiative,ʺ this proposal did not specifically address emission of carbon dioxide, and its loopholes precluded older power plants from modernizing, seemingly supporting polluting industries with political influence. Environmentalists are arguing for immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and provide subsidies for renewable energy. They favor ʺportfolio standards,ʺ requiring electric companies to provide clean energy alternatives to consumers and ʺgreen tags,ʺ
ʺwind certificates,ʺ and ʺgreen pricingʺ to support the use of alternative fuels.
Environmentalists advocate immediate intervention regarding global climate change because ______________.

A) most are heavily invested in fossil fuel industries
B) they favor anthropocentric ethical principles
C) most live in areas most affected by global climate change
D) they favor the precautionary principle
E) they are concerned about the global economic losses sustained due to global climate change

Question 51

Distinguish between the terms weather and climate, and briefly discuss how each affects species distribution within ecosystems.

Question 52

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that physical, biological, and economic evidence exists confirming global climate change due to human -produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earthʹs carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions have not been effective in reducing greenhouse gases. Revisions to the 1970 Clean Air Act, called the ʺClear Skies Initiative,ʺ were proposed to limit mercury, nitric oxides, and sulfur oxide emissions from power plants. Nicknamed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as the ʺClear Lies Initiative,ʺ this proposal did not specifically address emission of carbon dioxide, and its loopholes precluded older power plants from modernizing, seemingly supporting polluting industries with political influence. Environmentalists are arguing for immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and provide subsidies for renewable energy. They favor ʺportfolio standards,ʺ requiring electric companies to provide clean energy alternatives to consumers and ʺgreen tags,ʺ
ʺwind certificates,ʺ and ʺgreen pricingʺ to support the use of alternative fuels.
The Clear Skies Initiative may have helped somewhat with the problem of global climate change because it would have ______________.

A) prohibited importation of goods from nations that pollute
B) provided subsidies for renewable energy
C) permitted the purchase of ʺwind certificatesʺ
D) required reduced nitrogen oxide emissions
E) required reduced carbon dioxide emissions

Question 53

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that physical, biological, and economic evidence exists confirming global climate change due to human -produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earthʹs carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions have not been effective in reducing greenhouse gases. Revisions to the 1970 Clean Air Act, called the ʺClear Skies Initiative,ʺ were proposed to limit mercury, nitric oxides, and sulfur oxide emissions from power plants. Nicknamed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as the ʺClear Lies Initiative,ʺ this proposal did not specifically address emission of carbon dioxide, and its loopholes precluded older power plants from modernizing, seemingly supporting polluting industries with political influence. Environmentalists are arguing for immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and provide subsidies for renewable energy. They favor ʺportfolio standards,ʺ requiring electric companies to provide clean energy alternatives to consumers and ʺgreen tags,ʺ
ʺwind certificates,ʺ and ʺgreen pricingʺ to support the use of alternative fuels.
Why do environmentalists and scientists advocate immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and subsidies for renewable energy?

A) These industries export goods to all other nations on Earth.
B) These industries produce the most greenhouse gases.
C) Power companies do not have labor unions that oppose legal restrictions.
D) No laws currently exist to regulate these industries.
E) Environmentalists do not want to anger farmers, even though agriculture produces the most carbon dioxide.