Deck 19: Climate Disruption and Ozone Depletion

Question 1

Scientists studying climate change estimate the average global sea level rise by the year 2100 may be as much as _____ or higher.

A) 3 inches
B) 6 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 39 inches
E) 50 inches

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Carbon dioxide rates reached what level in 2013?

A) 300 ppm
B) 332 ppm
C) 357 ppm
D) 389 ppm
E) 400 ppm

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Water vapor is a greenhouse gas and has higher concentrations in the atmosphere than CO₂.Why then is CO₂ considered to be the primary greenhouse gas?

A) Water vapor has a much longer residence time in the atmosphere than CO₂.
B) Additions of CO₂ decrease the amount of water vapor the atmosphere can hold which amplifies warming.
C) Additions of CO₂ increase the amount of water vapor the atmosphere can hold which amplifies warming.
D) Lower levels of water vapor drive increases in CO₂ concentrations.
E) Water vapor concentrations are decreasing while CO₂ concentrations rise.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The minimum period of time for measuring climate,rather than weather,is which of the following?

A) 2 weeks
B) 6 months
C) 1 year
D) 10 years
E) 30 years

Question 5

An interglacial period is characterized by ____.

A) long periods of colder climate
B) rapidly fluctuating temperatures
C) extensive glaciation
D) periods of warmer,stable climate
E) falling levels of CO₂

Question 6

Since 1975,the atmospheric warming on the earth has ____.

A) experienced extreme fluctuations from hot to cold
B) increased at a more rapid pace
C) decreased
D) remained constant
E) not changed

Question 7

From most important to least important,the three factors responsible for the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations are ____.

A) burning fossil fuels,deforestation,and agriculture
B) burning fossil fuels,agriculture,and deforestation
C) deforestation,burning fossil fuels,and agriculture
D) deforestation,agriculture,and burning fossil fuels
E) agriculture,burning fossil fuels,and deforestation

Question 8

During the past 275 years human activities have been responsible for 70% of methane emissions.Which activity is not a source of methane?

A) raising cattle and sheep
B) the use of modern fertilizers
C) extracting fossil fuels
D) creating landfills
E) flooding land to create reservoirs

Question 9

Greenland's glaciers contain what percentage of the world's freshwater?

A) 2%
B) 3%
C) 5%
D) 10%
E) 12%

Question 10

The majority of carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere via ____.

A) volcanic outgassing
B) wildfires
C) plant respiration
D) burning fossil fuels
E) deforestation

Question 11

Climate models predict that global warming will be most severe in which regions?

A) Australia
B) North America
C) Polar regions
D) Africa
E) Euro-Asia

Question 12

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)levels are closely correlated with temperatures.How does the timing of CO₂ changes correspond to temperature changes?

A) Temperatures change first,and CO₂ levels lag behind.
B) CO₂ levels change first,and temperatures lag behind.
C) CO₂ levels and temperatures always change at exactly the same time.
D) As CO₂ levels decrease,temperatures increase.
E) Temperatures are relatively stable despite fluctuating CO₂ levels.

Question 13

Major climate models predict ____.

A) a 2- to 4.5-degree centigrade rise in earth's mean surface temperature by 2100
B) humans do not play a role in the changes in global temperature
C) the falling of global sea levels
D) lower temperature rises are only possible with drastic greenhouse gas increases
E) sea level rise of 10 meters is most likely

Question 14

Which phrase best describes the earth's average surface temperature for the past 900,000 years?

A) a steady warming trend
B) fairly steady temperatures until recently
C) prolonged periods of cooling and warming
D) fairly steady with occasional cool spells
E) fairly steady with a recent cooling trend

Question 15

Nitrous oxide (N₂0)levels are rising.Each nitrous oxide molecule has how much stronger a warming potential than does a molecule of carbon dioxide?

A) 25
B) 56
C) 83
D) 118
E) 300

Question 16

The earth's climate will not change in response to ____.

A) increases and decreases in volcanic emissions
B) plate tectonics
C) magnetic pole reversals
D) shifting ocean currents
E) variations in atmospheric gas concentrations

Question 17

Scientists have attempted to measure historical temperatures by collecting data from various means.What is not one of these?

A) radioisotopes in rocks and sediments
B) pollen grains
C) air bubbles in ice cores
D) photos of glaciers
E) tree rings

Question 18

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the troposphere at the start of the Industrial Revolution was approximately ____.

A) 280 ppm
B) 290 ppm
C) 300 ppm
D) 310 ppm
E) 320 ppm

Question 19

The oceans absorb between 25-30% of the CO₂ in the lower atmosphere.As the oceans heat up,this absorption ____.

A) increases dramatically
B) increases somewhat
C) stays relatively stable
D) decreases
E) stops

Question 20

The greenhouse effect is ____.

A) the primary cause of global warming
B) when energy absorbed by the earth radiates into the atmosphere to cause warming
C) caused by solar radiation warming the earth's atmosphere
D) accelerating the warming of the earth's atmosphere
E) a blanket of warm air in the troposphere that makes the earth habitable

Question 21

The 1997 Kyoto Protocol went into effect in 2005 with only seven of the world's 194 nations not ratifying the agreement.Which of the following countries did not ratify it?

A) Netherlands
B) Canada
C) United States
D) Germany
E) Switzerland

Question 22

The predicted rise in sea levels during the 21st Century is least likely to cause ____.

A) saltwater contamination of coastal freshwater aquifers
B) flooding of some of the world's largest coastal cities,including New York
C) flooding of low-lying barrier islands and gently sloping coastlines
D) replenishment of many coastal fisheries
E) destruction of many coastal estuaries,wetlands,and coral reefs

Question 23

Which statement describes an advantage of carbon capture and storage techniques?

A) CCS requires large inputs of energy to accomplish.
B) CCS promotes continued use of coal.
C) CCS operates on the precautionary principle.
D) CCS does nothing to reduce greenhouse gases coming from motor vehicles.
E) CCS requires stored CO₂ to remain sealed away from the atmosphere forever.

Question 24

Which of the following countries intends to become the first carbon neutral country by cutting its net carbon emissions to zero by 2030?

A) Canada
B) United States
C) Mexico
D) Nicaragua
E) Costa Rica

Question 25

A rise in sea level is least likely to ____.

A) flood areas where one-third of the world's human population lives
B) save the coral reefs
C) accelerate coastal erosion
D) contaminate coastal aquifers
E) disrupt coastal fisheries

Question 26

Some people believe the sun has become hotter and is responsible for global warming.Data about which of the following disputes that claim?

A) the stratosphere being cooler than the troposphere
B) projected surface temperature of the sun
C) air currents at high altitude
D) ocean currents
E) air currents at low altitude

Question 27

Which greenhouse gases are found in the earth's lower atmosphere?

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

Question 28

The oceans absorb CO₂ from the lower atmosphere,which in turn creates carbonic acid.Should humans be concerned about greater ocean acidification?

A) No.Carbonic acid is an ingredient in soft drinks.It's not dangerous.
B) No.The oceans have such a large volume,that increases in carbonic acid don't have a major affect.
C) No.The carbonic acid gets consumed by organisms in the ocean before it can do harm.
D) Yes.The increasing acidification means oceans will be unsafe for humans to swim in.
E) Yes.Carbonic acid inhibits the growth of shelled organisms and decreases phytoplankton populations.

Question 29

A warmer world is least likely to result in ____.

A) decreased food production
B) reductions in biodiversity
C) a rise in sea level
D) increased moderate weather
E) spread of tropical diseases

Question 30

Which of the following ecosystems is least likely to suffer disruption and species loss from climate change?

A) temperate oak-pine and oak-hickory forests
B) coral reefs
C) coastal wetlands
D) high elevation mountaintops
E) alpine and Arctic tundra

Question 31

Polar areas are ____ than lower latitudes by rising temperatures associated with climate change.

A) not affected
B) affected a third less
C) affected half less
D) equally affected
E) more affected

Question 32

A rapidly changing climate is least likely to affect ____.

A) where food can be grown.
B) how much food can be grown.
C) the frequency and severity of droughts or flooding.
D) where people and wildlife will be able to live.
E) what kinds of economies will exist

Question 33

"Methane time bombs" is a phrase associated with which of the following?

A) methane released from permafrost
B) methane released by cattle
C) methane released by decaying manure
D) methane released from glaciers
E) methane released from sewage treatment plants

Question 34

The tipping point for CO₂ levels is 450 ppm.This means ____.

A) that if CO₂ levels fall below 450 ppm there could be long-term potentially catastrophic effects
B) that CO₂ levels above 450 ppm will cause long-term potentially catastrophic effects
C) that CO₂ levels above 450 ppm will cause irreversible change
D) that CO₂ levels below 450 ppm will cause irreversible change
E) that CO₂ levels above 450 ppm will cause sea level to rise three meters

Question 35

Since 1980,Arctic Sea Ice has ____.

A) decreased in volume and surface area
B) decreased in volume but not changed in surface area.
C) decreased in volume,but increased in surface area
D) not changed in volume or surface area
E) not changed in volume,but decreased in surface area

Question 36

In a warmer world,which of the following organisms are likely to decline in numbers?

A) insects
B) microbes
C) humans
D) fungi and molds
E) weeds

Question 37

Individuals add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere directly and indirectly based on their lifestyle choices.This is called a ____.

A) carbon trail
B) carbon footprint
C) carbon stamp
D) carbon fingerprint
E) carbon track

Question 38

Scientific debate over whether the warming of the ocean would or would not result in more frequent and stronger tropical storms and hurricanes,was settled by consensus.The consensus stated there would be ____.

A) fewer and weaker hurricanes
B) more and weaker hurricanes
C) fewer and stronger hurricanes
D) more and stronger hurricanes
E) no change in the strength or frequency of hurricanes

Question 39

Although temperatures have fluctuated throughout the earth's history,scientists are greatly concerned about the current warming because ____.

A) it is occurring at a more rapid rate than in the past
B) the Sun is getting warmer which amplifies warming on the earth
C) clouds are not reflecting as much radiation now as in the past
D) the ozone hole is allowing more radiation to enter the atmosphere
E) wildfires are more sever and occur with greater frequency

Question 40

Which statement about the difficulty of addressing climate change is false?

A) The problem is global,not regional.
B) Humans are not hard-wired to respond to long-term threats.
C) Problems will be solved by long-term political solutions.
D) Many of the problems and solutions are controversial.
E) The benefits and harmful impacts are spread evenly.

Question 41

It is now possible to determine if the earth's climate is changing based on a few years,or by a decade or two.

Question 42

Farming depends,more than any other human activity,on a wide variety of climate changes.

Question 43

There are several possible climate change tipping points.Which one of the following is not one of these points?

A) atmospheric level of 450 ppm
B) collapse and melting of Greenland ice sheet
C) expansion of Amazon rainforest
D) massive release of methane from Arctic permafrost
E) sharp drop in the ability of oceans to absorb CO₂

Question 44

By the year 2050,the world needs to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by what amount in order to prevent the planet heating up by more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit?

A) 5-15%
B) 15-25%
C) 25-50%
D) 50-85%
E) 100%

Question 45

Which action would contribute to increased global warming?

A) Increase beef production to strengthen public health.
B) Shift from coal to natural gas
C) Reduce deforestation
D) Slow population growth.
E) Improve energy efficiency.

Question 46

Current levels of climate disruption account for the premature deaths of 300,000 people each year.

Question 47

Greenland's glaciers contain about 10% of the world's fresh water.

Question 48

Approximately 70% of land-based species assessed so far could go extinct if the average global temperature increases beyond 3.5 degrees C.

Question 49

One key component to a successful strategy to reduce the threat of projected climate disruption involve which of the following?

A) reducing cattle belching
B) increasing use of nitrogen fertilizers
C) starting a global energy efficiency revolution
D) scattering iron particles in the oceans
E) harnessing the power of nuclear fission

Question 50

Geoengineering methods to control global warming are criticized because ____.

A) geoengineering protects only affect a local area
B) they are vulnerable to cheating
C) taxes on energy consumption are not popular
D) the results are unpredictable and could have negative impacts on the climate and atmosphere
E) they don't go far enough in reducing CO₂ levels

Question 51

It has been suggested that the threat of global warming can be addressed by geoengineering strategies.Which strategy below would not be feasible?

A) adding iron to the oceans
B) building lots of chemical plants to remove ocean acidity
C) injecting sulfate particulates into the stratosphere
D) covering the oceans with Styrofoam chips
E) placing giant mirrors in orbit above the earth to reflect sunlight

Question 52

China and the United States together are the source of nearly half of the world's annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 53

What strategy would increase the threat of climate change?

A) Improve energy efficiency.
B) Shift from fossil fuels to a mix of carbon-free energy resources.
C) Stop cutting down tropical forests.
D) Capture and store as much carbon dioxide as possible.
E) Continue with current practices.

Question 54

Methane emissions over the past 275 years are the result of extracting fossil fuels,raising cattle and sheep,and constructing reservoirs behind large dams.

Question 55

The "No-Regrets strategy" calls for ____.

A) focusing on reducing the burning of fossils fuels to eliminate climate change
B) implementing preventative measures immediately that will benefit society regardless of climate change
C) maintaining the status quo until more data is gathered
D) building consensus among world nation's to address climate change
E) ignoring the effects of climate change since they will not immediately impact daily life

Question 56

Climate change affects the entire planet and will be long-term.

Question 57

Governments can promote solutions to climate disruption by ____.

A) strictly regulating water vapor and sulfur dioxide as air pollutants
B) phasing in carbon subsidies
C) placing a cap on total human-generated carbon dioxide and methane emissions
D) increasing taxes on businesses that encourage energy efficient technologies
E) curbing economic growth

Question 58

The oceans are the warmest they have been in the last 130 years.

Question 59

Which of the following actions would increase carbon dioxide levels?

A) massive planting of trees
B) draining wetlands
C) pumping it deep underground
D) growing more switchgrass
E) the use of biochar for fertilizer

Question 60

The world's economies are not dependent on the natural greenhouse effect.

Question 61

Scientists accept there is nothing we can do to change the coming climate disaster.

Question 62

Summer ice in the Arctic Sea may be gone by 2040 or earlier.

Question 63

One way to increase the uptake of CO₂ is to implement a massive global ____________________ program.

Question 64

Climate change models predict a decline in agricultural productivity in ____________________ and ____________________ regions.

Question 65

____________________ is caused by the long-term increase in greenhouse gases,in part due to human activities.

Question 66

The amount of CO₂ generated directly by any individual or group is called a(n)____________________.

Question 67

One of the input strategies that are necessary to slow the rate and degree of global warming is to stop cutting down ____________________.

Question 68

If human activities and natural factors combine to trigger new and abrupt climate and ecological changes,we would reach a(n)____________________,which would be too late to reverse catastrophic changes for tens of thousands of years.

Question 69

In many instances,changing one part of the climate system causes changes in other parts of the system that act to increase or decrease the rate of climate change.These ___________________ can accelerate the rate of change and resultant harmful effects.

Question 70

____________________,such as N₂O,CH₄,and CO₂,compose part of the lower atmosphere and contribute to the natural and beneficial warming of the earth's atmosphere.

Question 71

Sea levels are rising more slowly than IPCC scientists thought in 2007.

Question 72

Since the beginning of the ____________________ human actions have led to significant increases in greenhouse gases in the lower atmosphere.

Question 73

Environmental economists agree that the most critical goal is to put a price on carbon emissions to get all emitters to pay all of the estimated harmful environmental and health costs of their carbon emissions.

Question 74

____________________ is the short-term change in variables like temperature,precipitation,and barometric pressure.

Question 75

Any strategy for reducing global warming would be enhanced by reducing the human population and ____________________.

Question 76

One of the most serious problems with carbon sequestration (CCS)solutions is that the stored CO₂ can never ____________________.

Question 77

____________________ is determined by the average weather conditions of the earth or a particular area over a long time.

Question 78

A(n)____________________ calls for implementation of preventative solutions to global warming even if climate models prove to be incorrect.

Question 79

The mild climate we have experienced for the past 10,000 years is likely to change rapidly in this century.

Question 80

____________________ intends to be the first country to become carbon neutral by having zero net emissions by 2030.