Deck 13: Global Environment: Confronting the Challenge of Climate Change

Question 1

Fertilizer runoff from a plant just upriver of your city creates an algae bloom that affects the drinking water available to residents. This example shows that environmental problems can be ______.

A) local
B) regional
C) national
D) international

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In the United States, excessive pesticide and herbicide use by farms can seep into groundwater and poison the water table and large aquifers--the primary source of drinking and irrigation water across several states. This example shows that many environmental problems can be ______.

A) local
B) regional
C) national
D) international

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Cane toads were introduced into Australia from South America to control infection and disease-bearing mosquitoes and other insects, but have since exploded in numbers without predators to naturally control their population. This example shows that many environmental problems can be ______.

A) local
B) regional
C) national
D) international

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Powerful consumer demand for fish in countries with large populations can lead to overfishing. This is an example of which type of global interaction?

A) inside-out
B) outside-in
C) top-down
D) bottom-up

Question 5

Subsidization and pressure from powerful states in favor of long-distance long-haul trawlers to meet domestic fishing demands exacerbate the problem of overfishing. This is an example of which type of global interaction?

A) inside-out
B) outside-in
C) top-down
D) bottom-up

Question 6

The controversy that exists around the climate change debate surfaces around ______.

A) the evidence for global warming
B) the question of human involvement
C) the extent or rate of climate change
D) the reliability of research on climate change

Question 7

The greenhouse effect refers to ______.

A) global warming in general
B) the human activity that drives global warming
C) the idea that certain gases trap heat inside the atmosphere
D) changes in climate around the world

Question 8

Glacial melting and permafrost thawing are examples of ______.

A) the greenhouse effect
B) radiative forcing
C) feedback mechanisms
D) global warming

Question 9

The amount of energy from the Sun that the Earth reflects relative to the amount it absorbs is what scientists refer to as ______.

A) the greenhouse effect
B) radiative forcing
C) feedback mechanisms
D) global warming

Question 10

The three main heat-trapping greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change are ______.

A) water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane
B) carbon monoxide, chlorofluorocarbons, sulfur oxides
C) carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide
D) methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide

Question 11

The Annual Greenhouse Gas Index was developed by which organization?

A) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
B) Environmental Protection Agency
C) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
D) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Question 12

The Annual Greenhouse Gas Index is a measure that reflects ______.

A) the greenhouse effect
B) radiative forcing
C) feedback mechanisms
D) global warming

Question 13

The foremost international organization that monitors and provides technical support on matters involving climate change is the ______.

A) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
B) Environmental Protection Agency
C) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
D) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Question 14

The top producing countries of carbon emissions per capita are typically ______.

A) among larger countries
B) among smaller countries
C) from the Global North
D) from the Global South

Question 15

Scientists argue that sea levels have been rising due to melting ice and glaciers, as well as ______.

A) global warming
B) radiative forcing
C) thermal expansion
D) the greenhouse effect

Question 16

Along with Antarctica, the largest ice sheet in the world is found in ______.

A) Greenland
B) Iceland
C) Canada
D) Russia

Question 17

Which of the following organizations has used climate measures and predictive modeling to represent climate change scenarios over the next 100 years?

A) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
B) Environmental Protection Agency
C) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
D) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Question 18

A recognized international organization that focuses on species worldwide is known as the ______.

A) IPCC
B) IUCN
C) UNFCCC
D) NOAA

Question 19

Variable rainfall and temperatures can affect ecosystems around the world, disrupting plant production as well as the food chain. Of the following, this scenario will affect _____ the most.

A) flora and fauna
B) food production
C) water accessibility
D) global health

Question 20

Variable rainfall as a consequence of climate change will alter growing seasons or even destroy plant production. Of the following, this scenario will affect _____ the most.

A) flora and fauna
B) food production
C) water accessibility
D) global health

Question 21

Along with temperature changes, increased rainfall in some areas will lead to floods while leading to desertification in other areas, affecting human settlements as well as flora and fauna unevenly. Of the following, this scenario will affect _____ the most.

A) flora and fauna
B) food production
C) water accessibility
D) global health

Question 22

The practice of damming rivers and waterways, such as in the Himalayas or along the Nile River, (will) have significant consequences for agriculture and sustainable practices well beyond the immediate vicinities of major projects. This is an example of the _____ interactions shaping the climate change discussion.

A) inside-out
B) outside-in
C) top-down
D) bottom-up

Question 23

Increasing temperatures and flooding from variable precipitation can lead to the contamination of water and an explosion of parasite and insect populations. Of the following, this scenario will likely affect _____ the most.

A) flora and fauna
B) food production
C) water accessibility
D) global health

Question 24

To estimate the global community's readiness and ability to respond to climate change, scientists developed the _____ to capture the differential across countries.

A) Representative Concentration Pathways
B) Global Adaptation Index
C) Stabilization Wedges
D) Clean Development Mechanism

Question 25

The principal policy guiding climate change at the international level that seeks to commit countries to target levels of greenhouse gas emissions is the ______.

A) Doha Amendment
B) Kyoto Protocol
C) Paris Agreement
D) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Question 26

A country that has met and exceeded its target emissions goals can sell 'credits' to countries that have not yet met their targets. This is specifically known as ______.

A) market-based mechanisms
B) emissions trading
C) clean development mechanisms
D) stabilization wedges

Question 27

Projects involving investment in developing countries by rich countries to reduce overall emissions are known as ______.

A) market-based mechanisms
B) emissions trading
C) clean development mechanisms
D) stabilization wedges

Question 28

The international agreement on emissions reduction goals that saw the inclusion of the world's richest as well as fastest-developing countries is known as the ______.

A) Doha Amendment
B) Kyoto Protocol
C) Paris Agreement
D) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Question 29

The development of small steps and multiple, complementary approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the long run is known as ______.

A) representative concentration pathways
B) stabilization wedges
C) clean development mechanisms
D) carbon mitigation initiatives

Question 30

The notion of (re)planting forests on a massive scale to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is one of the proposed methods behind ______.

A) radiative forcing
B) carbon dioxide removal
C) clean development mechanisms
D) solar radiation management

Question 31

A controversial plan proposed to reduce the effects of climate change involves the injection of aerosols into the upper atmosphere to reflect more sunlight back into space. This, and plans like it, is one of the methods behind ______.

A) radiative forcing
B) carbon dioxide removal
C) clean development mechanisms
D) solar radiation management

Question 32

The establishment of carbon taxes or a cap-and-trade emissions scheme is an example of the impact of which of the four major global forces?

A) global governance
B) global markets
C) information and communications technology
D) shifting centers of power

Question 33

Because climate change is an atmospheric problem, any transnational coordinated responses are affected by the forces of ______.

A) global governance
B) global markets
C) information and communications technology
D) shifting centers of power

Question 34

Climate change is a transnational issue, and coordinated responses inevitably require participation not only from states, but also from non-state actors and multinational corporations alike. This is evidence of the effect of ______.

A) global governance
B) global markets
C) information and communications technology
D) shifting centers of power

Question 35

The ability to collect and disseminate knowledge and resources pertaining to adaptation decision-making, to be useful for those who need it most, shows the crucial role played by ______.

A) global governance
B) global markets
C) information and communications technology
D) shifting centers of power

Question 36

Overfishing by Chinese trawlers around the world has had an effect on migration rates between Africa and Europe.

Question 37

Climate change is the culmination of local actions into global effects.

Question 38

Natural variability in the global climate is known as anthropogenic climate change.

Question 39

Of the various greenhouse gases, methane is perhaps the most important.

Question 40

Cities and settlements not found in coastal areas will remain unaffected by rising sea levels.

Question 41

Climate change can increase the likelihood of heavy precipitation as much as it can do the opposite.

Question 42

The RCPs lay out recommendations for how to approach climate change scenarios.

Question 43

The disruption and loss of environment and organisms such as coral reefs will have substantial impacts on human economic development.

Question 44

Climate change risks generating large numbers of the so-called "climate refugees," such as from coastal areas due to rising sea levels.

Question 45

Climate change cannot be stopped completely, thus it is important for people and governments to embrace adaptation.

Question 46

What factors affect the climate change discussion, and why it has been difficult to reach agreements or coordinated efforts on the topic? Frame your discussion in terms of global interactions and their consequences.

Question 47

Synthesize the relationship between climate, the environment, and the global forces highlighted in the field of international studies. Highlight not only how the forces impact the climate change discussion, but also the responses.

Question 48

What are some of the other solutions or approaches to climate change beyond initiatives spearheaded by the United Nations? To what extent are they viable? Present an applied argument, using real-world examples to illustrate if possible.

Question 49

What are some of the causes of climate change, and what are the short- and long-term effects? Who, or what, will these changes affect the most? What solutions are there (or ought to be) that provide the best response to these issues?

Question 50

Climate change is not the only environmental challenge facing the world today. Describe a real-world environmental problem that remains significant locally, regionally, or globally today. If there has been a significant response, describe it and make an argument as to whether or not it has been effective. If there has not been, propose a set of solutions that would respond to and counter the environmental problem.