Deck 14: environmental Policy the World Tackles Ozone Depletion

Question 1

Which form of ultraviolet (UV)radiation is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer? What are the effects of this form of UV radiation on living things?

Answer 1

UV-B can cause damage to the DNA of living things.The ozone layer absorbs most of this so that only about 10% normally reaches Earth's surface.

Question 2

A(n)_____________ problem is one that extends across state and national boundaries.

A)transboundary
B)environmental
C)adaptive
D)national
E)political

Answer 2

transboundary

Question 3

Refer to Infographic 1.What happens to the chlorine atom liberated from chlorine monoxide in the second portion of this figure?

A)It escapes into the thermosphere above.
B)It becomes inert.
C)It sinks back down to the troposphere,where it becomes a part of smog pollution.
D)It breaks down many other ozone molecules.
E)It bonds with one additional ozone molecule to make chlorine trioxide.

Answer 3

It breaks down many other ozone molecules.

Question 4

Which statement best describes the relationship between ozone in the stratosphere and the presence of CFCs?

A)Ozone in the stratosphere is broken down by chemicals like CFCs,but as CFCs themselves are broken apart by UV radiation,ozone depletion slows.
B)When CFCs come in contact with ozone in the troposphere,their reaction sometimes causes increased UV radiation to reach Earth's surface.
C)Ozone naturally breaks down in the stratosphere,but substances like CFCs regulate its reformation so that less harmful UV radiation reaches Earth's surface.
D)Ozone from the stratosphere migrates down to the troposphere,where it reacts with chemicals like CFCs to produce more oxygen.
E)Ozone is formed naturally and is broken down in the stratosphere.However,CFCs cause additional ozone breakdown.

Question 5

What type of policy is needed when an environmental problem extends across national boundaries?

A)national
B)local
C)international
D)state
E)intranational

Question 6

Refer to Infographic 1.Why is it that the form of ultraviolet light to reach the surface,UV-B,causes sunburns and skin damage but the most energetic form,UV-C,is of no concern whatsoever?

A)Water vapor in the air filters all but UV-B.
B)CFCs in the air filter all but UV-B.
C)Radiation from the sun is mostly UV-B.
D)UV-A radiation passes through the atmosphere easily,UV-B is absorbed by the stratospheric ozone layer,and UV-C is absorbed by oxygen (O₂).
E)NOx reacts with UV-B and UV-C.

Question 7

The ozone layer is located in the ___________.

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

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a transboundary problem?

A)pollution in Mexico's Tijuana River closing beaches in San Diego where the river empties into the sea
B)acid rain falling in Canada because of industrial emissions from the United States
C)currents concentrating garbage in areas of the Atlantic Ocean
D)All of these answer choices are examples of a transboundary problem.
E)None of these answer choices are examples of a transboundary problem.

Question 9

Why should we care about ozone?

A)It's a dangerous stratospheric pollutant.
B)It protects the Earth's surface from UV radiation.
C)It is used in the production of CFCs.
D)It's a major pollutant in our rainwater.
E)It protects the Earth from climate change.

Question 10

Scientists have concluded that increasing levels of _________ were causing the depletion of the ozone layer.

A)methane
B)smog
C)particulates
D)CFCs
E)O₃

Question 11

Which of the following statements is TRUE of CFCs?

A)A CFC is an industrial chemical that was once used as a refrigerant.
B)A CFC is a type of ultraviolet radiation between UV-A and UV-B.
C)CFCs are used to cook food at the McMurdo research station.
D)CFCs react with water to generate ozone.
E)Both B and C are true.

Question 12

Environmental policy ___________.

A)provides guidelines meant to restore or protect the natural environment
B)is limited to the nation that creates it
C)can help mitigate human impact on the environment
D)All of these answers choices are correct.
E)both provides guidelines meant to restore or protect the natural environment and can help mitigate human impact on the environment

Question 13

Refer to Infographic 1.Explain chemically how CFCs in the stratosphere are damaging the ozone layer.

Question 14

Explain how the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere is allowing more UV-B radiation to reach the Earth's surface.

Question 15

What is the chemical formula for ozone?

A)O₂
B)C₂F₂Cl₂
C)SF₆
D)O₃
E)CrO₂Cl₂

Question 16

Where in the atmosphere is the majority of ozone found?

A)the mesosphere and paleosphere
B)the troposphere
C)the stratosphere
D)both the troposphere and stratosphere
E)It is not found in the atmosphere at any level.

Question 17

Which of the following environmental issues occurs across state and national boundaries?

A)ozone depletion
B)species endangerment
C)global warming
D)ozone depletion,species endangerment,and global warming
E)both ozone depletion and species endangerment

Question 18

Ozone-depleting chemicals are most efficient at the poles,both for Arctic and Antarctic regions.The major reason for this is ___________.

A)lots of CFCs are used in polar regions
B)tourists there pollute the atmosphere
C)the presence of ice crystals and solar UV radiation
D)all the ozone is formed over the equator and none reaches the poles
E)a lack of stringent air pollution laws at the poles

Question 19

Which form of ultraviolet (UV)radiation can cause serious health problems such as DNA mutations?

A)UV-A
B)UV-B
C)UV-C
D)UV-A and UV-B
E)UV-A,UV-B,and UV-C

Question 20

Why is the term "ozone hole" misleading?

Question 21

Which of the following was established by Congress to implement and enforce federal environmental laws?

A)FDA
B)USDA
C)EPA
D)CWA
E)ESA

Question 22

Which of the following is FALSE regarding the landmark environmental laws passed in the 1960s and 1970s?

A)Tremendous bipartisan support existed for environmental protection.
B)Many environmental problems crossed state lines.
C)These landmark laws have remained as is,without amendments.
D)Included in these laws was the Endangered Species Act in 1973.
E)All of these answer choices are true regarding these laws.

Question 23

Which was the first environmental law that required the U.S.government to consider environmental issues before approving policies?

A)Comprehensive Environmental Response,Compensation,and Liability Act (CERCLA)
B)Toxic Substances Control Act (TOSCA)
C)Clean Water Act (CWA)
D)National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
E)Clean Air Act (CAA)

Question 24

A federal highway project is proposed to connect two existing stretches of interstate.What signature feature of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)must be met prior to construction of the highway?

Question 25

Which of the following influences U.S.environmental policy decision making?

A)industry lobbyists
B)science
C)congressional committees
D)industry lobbyists,science,and congressional committees
E)only science and C

Question 26

Excess nitrogen fertilizer runs off Midwestern farmland into waterways that lead to the Gulf of Mexico,where the result is a "dead zone" of low oxygen levels.This impacts the ecosystem there and presents a significant economic hardship to the shrimping industry.What level of policy might be needed to address this problem? What existing federal law could be applied?

Question 27

What is the correct order of the policy decision-making process?

A)identify a problem - consider options - formulation - adoption - implementation - evaluation
B)identify a problem - consider options - adoption - formulation - implementation - evaluation
C)consider options - adoption - formulation - implementation - evaluation - identify a problem
D)consider options - formulation - adoption - implementation - evaluation
E)identify a problem - consider options - formulation - adoption - evaluation - implementation

Question 28

In a famous essay,Garrett Hardin described "the tragedy of the common," where individual self-interests lead to depletion of shared,limited resources.For example,in a public pasture,where no rules are in place to restrict the number of grazing animals,individuals will maximize their usage of the resource and the end result may be loss or destruction of the resource.What examples on Earth would qualify as "common" areas that no one person,state,or government owns or controls? How could these areas be managed to avoid environmental degradation?

Question 29

In the 1960s and 1970s,___________.

A)it became more difficult to demonstrate that a toxin from a particular source was responsible for harming life
B)federal legislators saw regulation as an impediment to economic growth
C)most environmental problems were addressed after the fact through litigation
D)oil release into coastal waters was first banned
E)environmental problems in one state started affecting other states more often

Question 30

What is an environmental policy? Why are many environmental problems considered "wicked problems"?

Question 31

The EPA and other agencies such as the USDA are administered by the ___________.

A)legislative branch
B)executive branch
C)judicial branch
D)both legislative branch and executive branch
E)legislative branch,executive branch,and judicial branch

Question 32

The era of modern environmental policy had begun by ___________.

A)1849
B)1880
C)1923
D)1969
E)1996

Question 33

Industries must act to meet ___________ standards,that is,targets set to specify acceptable levels of pollution that can be released or exist in outdoor air.

A)performance
B)normative
C)attainment
D)completion
E)discharge

Question 34

The environmental law that regulates the amount of hazardous pollutants in the air and that contains provisions for protecting the ozone layer is the ___________.

A)National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
B)Clean Air Act (CAA)
C)Toxic Substances Act (TOSCA)
D)Comprehensive Environmental Response,Compensation,and Liability Act (CERCLA)
E)The EPA lacks the authority to regulate air pollutants.

Question 35

Explain the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Question 36

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding U.S.environmental policy prior to the 1960s?

A)Environmental issues were focused on addressing pollution.
B)A key objective was mitigating environmental damage.
C)Environmental issues were handled primarily at the federal level.
D)Environmental policies mostly dealt with how best to use resources.

Question 37

The ________________ allows U.S.citizens to sue,in federal court,perceived violators of certain environmental laws in order to force compliance.

A)citizen suit provision
B)protection standard
C)litigation loophole
D)National Act
E)Environmental Policy Act

Question 38

Many coastal areas and low-lying island nations are currently at risk from rising sea levels attributed to global climate change.How does this illustrate the need for policy at the international level?

Question 39

An environmental impact statement (EIS)accomplishes which of the following?

A)sets monetary damages awarded to the plaintiff in an environmental lawsuit
B)outlines the positive and negative impacts of a proposed action
C)allows a private citizen to sue,in federal court,a violator of environmental law
D)details damage done to an environment,including air,water,and soil
E)regulates production and distribution of designated toxic chemicals

Question 40

After an EIS,the proposed action of building a road is not taken.Where in the policy decision-making process does this step does this fit in?

A)identifying a problem
B)formulation
C)adoption
D)implementation
E)consideration of options

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a form of command and control regulation?

A)subsidies
B)permits to authorize operation
C)performance and technology standards
D)penalties
E)none of these answers

Question 42

Which of the following is true of international environmental policy?

A)The process is slow and incremental.
B)Many meetings,negotiations,and votes are required.
C)Specific targets are identified.
D)Science helps to inform policy.
E)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 43

An advantage of an economic policy tool approach to protecting the environment is the ___________.

A)simplicity of the concept and ability to achieve desired goals quickly
B)ability to change the behavior of the regulated industry directly
C)potential to ban extremely toxic substances through authorization permits
D)widespread citizen support for spending tax dollars to impose emission limits
E)encouragement of innovation for reducing environmental impacts

Question 44

As president of a country that relies significantly on income from whaling,you are concerned about declining whale populations.Several other countries are considered whaling countries.What can be done to help ensure sustainable whaling into the future?

Question 45

Compare command and control regulation with market-based approaches that create economic incentives.What are some advantages and disadvantages of these policy tools?

Question 46

A disadvantage of command and control policy used to protect the environment is ___________.

A)the potential for cap-and-trade programs to create pollution hotspots in areas where most users choose to buy credits rather than reduce emissions
B)the potential for perverse subsidies that support undesirable activities
C)passing the cost of green taxes on to the consumer
D)the lack of incentive for companies to reduce pollution below mandated limits
E)the complexity of the concept and the long time required to achieve desired goals

Question 47

Describe how the emissions trading policy,known as cap-and-trade,is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of command and control regulation?

A)It directly changes the behavior of the regulated industry.
B)A one-size-fits-all approach may limit some industries' ability to use the most cost-effective methods to address their impact.
C)It is a market-based approach.
D)Regulatory agencies must have sufficient funding to enforce compliance.
E)It provides no incentive for companies to reduce pollution below mandated limits.

Question 49

Describe how command and control regulation could be used to decrease gasoline usage in automobiles.How could incentive-based regulation be used to accomplish the same task?

Question 50

What is a disadvantage of the current political lobbying system?

A)Well-financed professional lobbyists may disproportionally interfere with policy makers' judgments.
B)An individual citizen can share opinions with policy makers.
C)It is part of a democratic government.
D)A,B,and C are all disadvantages.

Question 51

Which of the following groups provide input toward how best to curb emissions and slow global warming?

A)scientists
B)environmental activists
C)policy makers
D)political leaders
E)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 52

An effective international policy often requires ___________.

A)time and lots of work
B)the identification of specific targets
C)compromise
D)addressing the causes as well as the consequences
E)All of these answer choices are often required.

Question 53

In the United States,government officials selected to regulate an industry are often chosen from a pool of industry executives because they possess detailed knowledge of that industry that other candidates lack and therefore can best regulate it.What unintended consequences might this arrangement result in?

Question 54

What is political lobbying? In the United States,how does lobbying affect policy decisions?

Question 55

__________ taxes refer to taxes levied on an environmentally harmful action.

A)Polluter
B)Green
C)Industrial
D)Emission-based
E)Eco-based

Question 56

The 1987 Montréal Protocol involved the regulation of ___________.

A)ozone-depleting substances
B)global warming
C)whaling
D)endangered species
E)overfishing

Question 57

Describe several characteristics of an effective policy at the international level.

Question 58

In an ideal world,all policies would be based on ___________.

A)sound science
B)professional lobbyists for corporations
C)professional lobbyists for nonprofit organizations
D)a strong public voice
E)congressional committees

Question 59

Which of the following is a market-based approach to protecting the environment?

A)assessing green taxes on pollution produced by a factory-more pollution leads to higher taxes
B)tax breaks awarded to industries for carrying out environmentally favorable actions
C)permit trading for an environmental pollutant,such as emitted sulfur dioxide
D)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 60

How do political lobbyists influence the policy making process?

A)Lobbyists review sound science and use the results to propose policy.
B)Lobbyists contact elected officials in support of a particular position.
C)Lobbyists only work for industry corporations to support bills that will benefit the corporations.
D)Lobbyists only support regulation of toxic substances to help the environment.
E)Lobbyists for the chemical industry govern the decisions of the EPA.

Question 61

The Clean Development Mechanism would be considered a ___________.

A)command-and-control regulation
B)tax credit
C)cap-and-trade program
D)subsidy
E)green tax

Question 62

Science Literacy Use the following infographic to answer the next questions.
What happens to the Cl molecule after it is released from CF₂Cl₂?

A)It combines with an oxygen molecule to produce ClO.
B)It breaks down O₂ into two oxygen atoms.
C)It travels down to the troposphere and becomes a pollutant.
D)It combines with ozone to produce ClO₃.

Question 63

Science Literacy Use the following infographic to answer the next questions.
What happens to a CF₂Cl₂ molecule when it encounters UV-B rays?

A)It is converted into an O₃ molecule.
B)It produces ClO molecules.
C)It breaks apart into CF₂Cl and a Cl molecule.
D)It produces O₂ molecules.

Question 64

Re-entering the policy cycle for revision as new or changing information comes to light is known as ___________.

A)adaptive management
B)lobbying
C)circulation
D)evolving management
E)revolving management

Question 65

Which international agreement phased out CFCs and other stratospheric ODSs?

A)Kyoto Protocol
B)United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
C)Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
D)Montréal Protocol
E)Paris Agreement

Question 66

Why did the UN create the IPCC?

A)High-quality science should be the basis for policies.
B)Lobbyists demanded a panel of scientists look at climate change research.
C)They wanted to use taxpayer monies.
D)The citizen suit provision demanded a review of the science.

Question 67

Prior to the 1987 Montréal Protocol,there existed some uncertainty in the scientific community as to the magnitude of ozone depletion caused by CFCs in the atmosphere.Nevertheless,the protocol did recommend phasing out CFCs from refrigerants and other uses because the potential consequences of not doing so were so severe.This is an example of applying the _______________ principle.

A)uncertainty
B)guilty-until-proven-innocent
C)precautionary
D)utopian
E)better-safe-than-sorry

Question 68

Which of the following is true of the climate change issue?

A)It is an easily solvable problem.
B)It is a transboundary problem.
C)It cannot be addressed with environmental policy.
D)It is an issue only for the United States.

Question 69

Science Literacy Use the following infographic to answer the next questions.
With fewer O₃ molecules in the stratosphere,how much UV-B radiation reaches the surface of Earth?

A)0%
B)0 to 5%
C)5% to 10%
D)more than 10%

Question 70

Science Literacy Use the following infographic to answer the next questions.
Which wavelength is the most dangerous to living organisms?

A)UV-A
B)UV-B
C)UV-C
D)They are all equally dangerous to living organisms.

Question 71

Science Literacy Use the following infographic to answer the next questions.
Where is ozone (O₃)naturally broken down and formed?

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

Question 72

The purpose of the Kyoto Protocol was to ___________.

A)present a position on climate change and identify general goals for the signing countries to pursue
B)set precise goals and targets to address climate change
C)allow room for altering strategies on climate change as new information becomes available
D)offer subsidies to governments reducing greenhouse emissions

Question 73

Match each term in the left-hand column to the statement that it best exemplifies.

Question 74

What is the precautionary principle? How can it be used to shape policy regarding the recent changes in global climate attributed to human activity?