Deck 8: Population Growth and Fossil Fuel Burning the Setting for Climate Change

Question 1

Per capita emissions of total greenhouse gases are highest in

A)less-developed countries (LDCs).
B)more-developed countries (MDCs).
C)neither LDCs and MDCs; they are approximately equal.
D)non-populated areas since greatest emissions associated with volcanic eruptions.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The primary anthropogenic source of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)is

A)burning of fossil fuels.
B)respiration.
C)rice farming.
D)clearing and burning land.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Carbon dioxide (CO2)concentrations over the past 800,000 years

A)were much higher in the past than the present.
B)have remained relatively constant.
C)fluctuated over time,but have been increasing since the Industrial Revolution.
D)reached its maximum about 325,000 years before present.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Scientists use to study past climates,using to reconstruct climates that extend back further than our present instrumentation allows.

A)computer models; algorithms
B)direct measurements; historical records
C)indirect evidence; conjecture
D)proxy methods; climate proxies

Question 5

Ocean sediment cores provide a climate record for the past years.

A)800,000
B)2 million
C)10 million
D)70 million

Question 6

A lower 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a climate,whereas a higher 18O/16O ratio indicates a climate.

A)cooler; cold
B)cooler; warmer
C)warmer; cooler
D)warmer; hot

Question 7

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in

A)more-developed countries (MDCs).
B)less-developed countries (LDCs).
C)evenly between LDCs and MDCs.
D)neither LDCs or MDCs; world populations are declining.

Question 8

The three key elements of climate change science include the following EXCEPT

A)establishing policy on CO2 emissions.
B)projection of future climate scenarios.
C)measurement of current climatic change.
D)study of past climates.

Question 9

A lower 18O/16O ratio in ice core indicates a climate,whereas a higher 18O/16O ratio indicates a climate.

A)cooler; warmer
B)warmer; hot
C)warmer; cooler
D)cooler; cold

Question 10

According to readings from the Mauna Loa Observatory,CO 2 concentrations in May 2013 exceeded for the first time during the last 800,000 years.

A)100-ppm
B)200-ppm
C)300-ppm
D)400-ppm

Question 11

The science that studies Earthʹs past climates is

A)meteorology.
B)dendrochronology.
C)paleoclimatology.
D)climate change science.

Question 12

Which of the following accurately describes 18O/16O ratios of ice sheets?

A)During warmer periods,16O evaporates more readily and therefore the 18O/16O ratio is significantly lower than colder periods.
B)The higher the ratio of ice core 18O/16O,the cooler there temperatures because the 18O will be locked up in ice sheets.
C)A higher 18O/16O ratio indicates warmer periods during which more 18O evaporates and precipitates.
D)During periods of colder temperature,the 18O/16O ratio is higher because only the 18O isotope is being evaporated.

Question 13

The interdisciplinary study of the causes and consequences of changing climate for all Earth systems and the sustainability of human societies is

A)paleoclimatology.
B)climate policy.
C)climate change science.
D)meteorology.

Question 14

Seasonal fluctuations in CO2 emissions reflect

A)increased fuel use for home and building heat in winter months.
B)geothermal activity,which is highest in the fall.
C)seasonal changes in vegetation cover in the higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
D)summer melting in the tundra.

Question 15

Over the span of 70 million years,Earthʹs climate

A)was warmest approximately 10 million years ago and coolest about 56 million years ago.
B)has remained fairly constant,only showing a warming trend during the past 200 years.
C)was much cooler in the distant past than the present.
D)was much warmer in the distant past than the present.

Question 16

Which of the following accurately describes 18O/16O ratios of the oceans?

A)The 18O/16O ratio in the ocean is low during the winter because temperatures are too low for 16O to evaporate.
B)The ratio of oceanic 18O/16O in the late summer is high,because the most of the 16O has evaporated by then.
C)During the winter,16O is high in the ocean; during warmer periods the isotope ratio is lower.
D)Because 18O evaporates more readily than 16O,the oceans have a higher relative abundance of 16O during the summer.

Question 17

Which of the following is TRUE of 16O and 18O.

A)Only the 16O isotope occurs in water molecules.
B)Only the 18O isotope occurs in water molecules.
C)Neither the 16O and 18O isotopes occur in water molecules.
D)Both the 16O and 18O isotopes occur in water molecules.

Question 18

Ice cores provide a climate record for the past years.

A)800,000
B)2 million
C)10 million
D)70 million

Question 19

The is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO 2 concentrations since 1958.

A)MCA
B)Younger Dryas
C)Keeling Curve
D)PETM

Question 20

A higher 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a climate,and a higher 18O/16O ratio in ice cores indicates a climate.

A)cooler; cooler
B)cooler; warmer
C)warmer; cooler
D)warmer; warmer

Question 21

Milankovitch cycles refer to

A)tectonic changes in continental position and topographic changes from orogeny,erosion,and mass wasting.
B)increases and decreases in atmospheric gases and aerosols,primarily caused by natural activity such as volcanic activity and changes in net primary productivity.
C)changes in Earthʹs orbit,axial rotation,and axial tilt.
D)cyclical changes in solar irradiance caused by increases and decreases in sunspot activity.

Question 22

The Younger Dryas refers to a(n)

A)interglacial period,characterized by a general warming trend,lasting since the last glacial maximum (LGM)to the present.
B)400 year,from A.D.800 to 1200,period characterized by warmer than normal conditions in the North Atlantic region (e.g.Greenland and Iceland).
C)brief return to near-glacial conditions during the transition period from the last glacial period to the present interglacial period.
D)global cooling episode,lasting from approximately A.D.1250 to 1850.

Question 23

The last interglacial period with temperatures similar to the present interglacial period was the

A)Eemian interglacial.
B)Günz-Mindel interglacial.
C)Holstein interglacial.
D)Flandrian interglacial.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT an example of methods used for short-term climate reconstructions?

A)Speleothems analysis
B)Ocean sediment core analysis
C)Dendrochronology
D)Carbon isotope analysis

Question 25

Which of the following accurately describes 13C/12C ratios of plant materials and their use in climate reconstructions?

A)13C is an unstable isotope,which decays at a constant rate.This is used to date plant material,which can then be used as a proxy for temperature and climate conditions at that time.
B)By analyzing the ratio of 13C/12C in marine phytoplankton,the source of the water in which the organisms resided can be determined.
C)12C is very rare in nature.When it does appear in plant material,it is indicative of climate anomalies.By measuring the 13C/12C ratios,scientists can determine whether the plants were alive during normal or anomalous conditions.
D)Different plants use different types of photosynthesis,each producing a different carbon isotope ratio in plant materials,which scientists use to determine past temperature and rainfall conditions.

Question 26

Which of the following accurately describes the use of tree rings for studying past climates (dendroclimatology)?

A)The width of annual tree rings indicates the climatic conditions; wider rings suggest favorable conditions,whereas narrower rings suggest harsher conditions.
B)Because most trees only live 60 to 100 years,dendrochronology can only serve as a climate record for recent history and are primarily used to supplement instrument data.
C)The age of trees can be determined by tree ring analysis.By establishing the age of long -lived trees,one can determine the climate conditions of the area the year the tree sprouted.
D)Dendrochronology is primarily used in the tropical regions,where one can easily correlate a tree speciesʹ age with the climatic conditions there.

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT considered an important carbon sink?

A)Rocks
B)Forest and soils
C)The oceans
D)Farmlands

Question 28

Since the Industrial Revolution

A)no observable warming or cooling trends have occurred,rather temperatures have oscillated between warm and cold periods.
B)human population growth rates have decreased with a subsequent decrease in the warming trend that characterized pre-Industrial Revolution times.
C)global temperatures rapidly increased,then steadied out over the past 25 to 30 years.
D)global temperatures have continued to warm at accelerating rates.

Question 29

Mineral deposits in caves and caverns are known as

A)varves.
B)earlywood.
C)latewood.
D)speleothems.

Question 30

How is ocean acidification possibly linked to increased anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)?

A)Oceans may absorb much of the rising concentrations of rising carbon,as dissolved CO 2 mixes with water to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
B)Thermohaline circulation exchanges carbon between surface dissolved organic carbon and deep layers of dissolved inorganic carbon.
C)Increased photosynthetic activity in phytoplankton resulting from increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations results in acidification due to a complex chemical reaction during plant decay.
D)Atmospheric CO2 combines with atmospheric moisture forming a light carbonic acid forms (H2CO3),that is precipitated over the worldʹs oceans.

Question 31

Radiocarbon dating of organic material may provide a climate record for up to years before present.

A)10,000
B)25,000
C)50,000
D)75,000

Question 32

As air temperatures increase,evaporation increases,leading to more condensation and cloud formation.Low,thick cloud cover increases the albedo of the atmosphere,thereby having a cooling effect on Earth.This is an example of a

A)negative feedback loop.
B)positive feedback loop.
C)neither a positive or negative feedback loop.

Question 33

Changes in the orientation of Earthʹs axis over a 26,000 -year cycle is known as

A)eccentricity.
B)obliquity.
C)precession.
D)inclination.

Question 34

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings,speleothems,and corals similar?

A)The fossilized form of each is used for understanding past climatic conditions.
B)The chronology each can provide only dates back to a maximum of 5,000 years and are,therefore,only useful for relatively recent climatic trends.
C)All are composed of organic materials and are therefore good candidates for radiocarbon dating.
D)Each have growth bands,yielding evidence of the conditions under which they formed and grew.

Question 35

Changes in Earthʹs elliptical orbit around the Sun is called

A)eccentricity.
B)obliquity.
C)precession.
D)inclination.

Question 36

The is the most recent epoch of repeated glaciation on Earth.

A)Holocene
B)Pliocene
C)Miocene
D)Pleistocene

Question 37

As air temperatures increase,evaporation increases.Warmer temperatures also increase the capacity to absorb water vapor.More water vapor in the atmosphere accelerates the greenhouse effect.As temperatures increase further,more water vapor can enter the atmosphere,causing temperatures to increase even more.This is an example of a(n)

A)negative feedback loop.
B)positive feedback loop.
C)neither a positive or negative feedback loop.

Question 38

The last glacial maximum (LGM)occurred approximately years ago.

A)10,000
B)20,000
C)50,000
D)110,000

Question 39

Variations in Earthʹs axial tilt from 21.5° to 24.5° is known as

A)eccentricity.
B)obliquity.
C)precession.
D)inclination.

Question 40

The rapid warming associated with the Paleocene -Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)likely resulted from

A)the sudden die off of photosynthetic organisms and associated increase in atmospheric CO 2.
B)decreased surface albedo brought about by Paleocene afforestation.
C)a sudden increase in atmospheric carbon.
D)several massive volcanic eruptions.

Question 41

Which of the following gases accounts for the largest amount of radiative forcing?

A)Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B)Methane (CH4)
C)Nitrous oxides (N₂O)
D)Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Question 42

Since 1880,the year with the highest land surface temperature was

A)1998.
B)2010.
C)2014.
D)1985.

Question 43

Of the following greenhouse gases,which have actually decreased in atmospheric concentrations during the past 30 years?

A)HFCs
B)Nitrous oxides (N2O)
C)Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
D)Methane (CH4)and carbon dioxide (CO2)

Question 44

During the last century,sea level

A)rose 17 to 21 cm (6.7 to 8.3 in.).
B)rose 30 to 46 cm (11.8 to 18 in.).
C)remained fairly constant,though some areas (such at the Atlantic coast)experienced moderate rises.
D)dropped 3 to 5 cm (1.18 to 3.15 in.).

Question 45

Radiative forcing (climate forcing)refers to

A)the amount by which some perturbation causes Earthʹs energy balance to deviate from zero.
B)the contribution of each greenhouse gas to global warming.
C)a measurement of solar radiation energy received on a give surface area.
D)the power of electromagnetic radiation per unit area.

Question 46

The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report concludes

A)that while climate change is occurring,it is largely natural climate fluctuations.
B)humans are likely (95% certainty)responsible for the temperature increase from 1951 to 2010.
C)it is highly doubtful that recent climate trends represent anything more than a temporary perturbation in the long-term climate signal.
D)there is no consensus on recent climate trends; some maintain it is mostly human-caused,others maintain it is natural fluctuations.

Question 47

Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH4)sources,which is the largest?

A)Livestock
B)Rice paddies
C)Wastewater treatment
D)Agriculture associated fires

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT an indicator of current climatic warming?

A)Rising sea levels
B)Melting glacial ice and sea ice
C)Increased tropospheric,land,and ocean surface temperatures
D)Decreases in relative humidity

Question 49

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding Arctic sea ice?

A)Summer sea ice reached its minimum extent in 2001 and has gradually increased since then.
B)In the summer,most to all sea ice melts,only to refreeze in the winter.However,less water has been refreezing over the past decade.
C)Until recently,seasonal variations in sea ice extent were rare.
D)Since 1979,summer sea ice minimum extent and winter sea ice maximum extent have declined.

Question 50

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine that the rise of atmospheric CO 2 is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

A)14C concentrations are much higher in urban areas than in rural areas,indicating fossil fuels must have a higher 14C/12C ratio than carbon from other sources.
B)The decrease in ratios of atmospheric 13C and 14C to 12C indicates that the source is fossil fuel carbon.
C)Both coal and oil contain a high proportion of 14C.By analyzing 14C/12C ratios,scientists have been able to determine the source based on this fact.
D)Since 14C is an unstable isotope,scientists have dated the atmospheric carbon to the period since the Industrial Revolution.

Question 51

Scientists attribute the recent rise in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O)primarily to

A)automobile combustion.
B)wastewater management.
C)agricultural activity.
D)industrial practices.

Question 52

Fossil fuel burning accounts for over percent of CO2 emissions.

A)20
B)50
C)70
D)85

Question 53

The most abundant greenhouse gas in Earthʹs atmosphere is

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

Question 54

Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to sea-level rise?

A)Thermal expansion of seawater
B)Melting of ice sheets
C)Melting of glaciers
D)Melting of sea ice

Question 55

During the last 800,000,climate reconstructions show that CO 2 Never changed more than ppm upward or downward in any span of less than 1,000 years,though it has risen by this amount in the last 13 years.

A)30
B)60
C)120
D)240

Question 56

Changes in Earthʹs orbital configuration may lead to warming temperatures.These warming temperatures,in turn,may lead to the release of both CO2 and CH4.Increases in these gases may further warm the planet.This is an example of a

A)positive feedback loop.
B)negative feedback loop.
C)neither a positive or negative feedback loop.

Question 57

Which of the following has a negative radiative forcing (i.e.cools the planet)?

A)Nitrous oxides (N2O)
B)Stratospheric ozone (O3)
C)Methane (CH₄)
D)Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Question 58

Increased cloud cover resulting from warming temperatures may lead to either cloud albedo forcing or cloud greenhouse forcing.Cloud albedo forcing is an example of a feedback loop and cloud greenhouse forcing is an example of a feedback loop.

A)negative; positive
B)negative; negative
C)positive; negative
D)positive; positive

Question 59

Present atmospheric methane (CH4)concentrations are at approximately ppb.

A)750
B)1000
C)1500
D)1800

Question 60

General circulation models (GCMs)of the atmosphere

A)are highly simplistic models that use one or two variables to test the veracity of climate proxies,such as ice core and ocean sediment core samples.
B)are based on statistical three-dimensional grids that characterize portions of the atmosphere and ocean in terms of climate-related variables.
C)are pre-computer based models that estimated atmospheric and oceanic circulation and are now being used to study climate change.
D)calculate the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere based on data from weather stations located around the globe.

Question 61

Climate change science is an integral part of physical geography and Earth system science.

Question 62

Paleoclimatologists use direct measurements.

Question 63

According to the RCP8.5 scenario of high emissions

A)global surface temperatures will increase until about mid-century,then steadily decrease.
B)global surface temperatures will increase throughout the 21st century,but at a very gradual rate.
C)global surface temperatures will cool during the most of the 21st century.
D)global surface temperatures will increase throughout the 21st century,perhaps by as much as 4°C (7.2°F)by 2100.

Question 64

More-developed countries (MDCs)currently emit the greatest amount of greenhouse gases per capita.

Question 65

The physical evidence for global climate change is limited,based primarily on conjecture and indirect evidence.

Question 66

Which of the following is NOT a stated co-benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

A)Fewer oil tanker spills.
B)Increase in renewable and sustainable energy development.
C)Improved air quality.
D)Greater dependence on imported oil.

Question 67

Many scientists consider climate change to be one of the most critical issues facing humankind in the twenty-first century.

Question 68

The rate of population growth decreased after 1950.

Question 69

Carbon dioxide (CO2)produced from human activities is amplifying Earthʹs natural greenhouse effect.

Question 70

According to models developed by NOAA,by the end of the 21st century,global sea level may rise as high as

A)0)2 m (0.7 ft).
B)0)5 m (1.6 ft).
C)1)2 m (3.9 m).
D)2)0 m (6.6 ft).

Question 71

Which of the following is NOT an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change?

A)Planting trees,especially native species
B)Using energy efficient light bulbs
C)Improve regional land use practices
D)Driving a vehicle with high fuel economy
E)Eating locally sourced foods

Question 72

Which of the following is INCORRECT?

A)Human activities have increased the amount of atmospheric greenhouse gases.
B)Global warming affects overall climate.
C)Scientists can definitively (100% certainty)attribute climate changes to anthropogenic causes alone.
D)Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)causes warming temperatures.

Question 73

Which of the following is NOT an example of individuals and communities working to mitigate climate change?

A)Tree planting in exchange for greenhouse gas credits
B)Using renewable energy sources.
C)Protecting and restoring natural habitats.
D)Farmers using no-till agriculture.
E)Leaving the decision-making to elected officials.
TRUE/FALSE.Write ʹTʹ if the statement is true and ʹFʹ if the statement is false.

Question 74

Which scenario predicts the lowest level of warming during the 21st century?

A)RCP2.6
B)RCP6.0
C)RCP8.5
D)RCP4.5

Question 75

Climate has fluctuated naturally over Earthʹs long history.As a result,most scientists are skeptical that human activity has contributed to recent trends in global climate.

Question 76

An estimated people could be displaced by a sea level rise of 1.0 m (3.2 ft).

A)1,000,000
B)10,000,000
C)100,000,000
D)130,000,000

Question 77

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in more-developed countries (MDCs).

Question 78

According to the U.S.Department of Energy,the U.S.could meet the carbon emission reduction targets in the Kyoto Protocol

A)at a savings of $7 to $34 billion a year.
B)without any economic benefits or detriments.
C)at a cost of approximately $5 to $10 billion a year.
D)at a cost of approximately $10 to $15 billion a year and with a risk of higher unemployment.

Question 79

The legally binding international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is known as the

A)Kyoto Protocol.
B)CITES.
C)Montreal Protocol.
D)ICRW.

Question 80

In May 2013,the Mauna Loa Observatory recorded the highest CO 2 concentrations on record.