Deck 21: Climate Change and Ozone Loss

Question 1

Which of the following would be among the boundary conditions entered into a climate computer model? 

A) measurements of atmospheric temperature 
B) mathematical equations describing the movement of water in the oceans 
C) measurements of concentrations of greenhouse gases 
D) mathematical equations describing the flow of energy in the atmosphere

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a major greenhouse gas? 

A) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 
B) sulphur dioxide 
C) carbon dioxide and water vapour 
D) ozone

Answer 2

B

Question 3

In what category is the understanding of "the greenhouse effect" in? 

A) agriculture science 
B) consensus science 
C) pioneer science 
D) fantasy

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which condition would NOT likely be used in a climate computer model? 

A) air pressure 
B) an equation describing the flow of solar radiation 
C) greenhouse gas concentrations 
D) temperature

Question 5

How long was the most recent interglacial period? 

A) about 12 000 years 
B) about 10 000 years 
C) about 8 000 years 
D) about 5 000 years

Question 6

What has the Earth's average surface temperature been for the past 900 000 years? 

A) fairly steady temperatures until recently 
B) a steady warming trend 
C) fairly steady with occasional cool spells 
D) many fluctuations of several degrees Celsius

Question 7

Which greenhouse gas has NOT increased in recent decades? 

A) water vapour 
B) carbon dioxide 
C) nitrous oxide 
D) methane

Question 8

What is the source of the greatest uncertainty in current climate models? 

A) patterns of variation in solar radiation 
B) the effects of clouds and ecosphere on climate 
C) measurements of air pressure 
D) measurements of wind speed and direction

Question 9

Which pair are the two predominant greenhouse gases in the troposphere? 

A) nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide 
B) carbon dioxide and water vapour 
C) nitrogen and water vapour 
D) carbon dioxide and ozone

Question 10

Who is the largest greenhouse gas emitter? 

A) Japan 
B) the United States 
C) China 
D) the European Union

Question 11

By how many degrees Celsius has the mean global temperature risen since 1880? 

A) 0.65 
B) 0.75 
C) 0.85 
D) 0.95

Question 12

Which substance correlates closely with estimated variations in the Earth's mean surface temperature over the past 135 years? 

A) CFCs 
B) ozone 
C) carbon dioxide 
D) water vapour

Question 13

On what factor does correspondence between climate models and the real world depend? 

A) on the design and assumptions of the model 
B) on organization 
C) on qualifications of data entry personnel 
D) on positive feedback

Question 14

How long did glacial periods,which occurred over the last million years,last? 

A) 10 to 100 years 
B) 100 to 1 000 years 
C) 1 000 to 10 000 years 
D) 10 000 to 100 000 years

Question 15

What is NOT likely to be projected by a major climate model? 

A) an Earth that is warmer than at any time in the last 10 000 years 
B) more warming in the northern hemisphere than in the southern hemisphere 
C) lower global sea levels 
D) an increase of 1.4 to 5.8°C in the Earth's mean surface temperature by 2100

Question 16

Which statement describes the greenhouse effect? 

A) Heat trapped by greenhouse gases keeps the planet warm enough to support life. 
B) The greenhouse effect is a new theory that explains the increase in UV radiation hitting the earth. 
C) The greenhouse effect is increased by the increase in these two greenhouse gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide. 
D) The greenhouse effect is increased by the amount of nitrogen gases in the troposphere.

Question 17

What is one reason that greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere have increased? 

A) reforestation in tropical areas 
B) the restricted use of CFCs 
C) planting of new seedlings 
D) the burning of fossil fuels

Question 18

What is NOT likely to be a sign of global warming? 

A) the spread of some tropical diseases into temperate regions 
B) the bleaching of coral reefs in tropical areas 
C) the increased retreat of some glaciers 
D) tropical Pacific fish moving into tropical Caribbean waters

Question 19

What is one reason that polar bears are among the species most affected by global climate change? 

A) They are having difficulty finding pack ice from which to hunt seals. 
B) They are having difficulty finding suitable denning areas. 
C) Their normal mating cycle has been disrupted. 
D) The cubs are too warm because of their thick fur.

Question 20

What would result if warming occurs in the Arctic? 

A) The rest of the world would be affected. 
B) No methane and carbon dioxide would be released. 
C) Sea levels would decrease by seven metres. 
D) Bacterial composition and organic matter would increase.

Question 21

Which outcome of global warming is unlikely to affect food production? 

A) poorer soil in new crop-growing regions 
B) increased insect populations 
C) decreased UV radiation resulting from increased ozone 
D) lack of irrigation water in some areas

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a likely outcome of a rise in sea levels? 

A) contaminated coastal aquifers 
B) healthier coral reefs 
C) flooding of the areas containing one-third of the world's population 
D) accelerated coastal erosion

Question 23

What might be a consequence of rapid climate change? 

A) premature deaths due to lack of food 
B) decreased deaths due to warmer weather 
C) increased biodiversity 
D) social and economic stability

Question 24

How might pollutants affect climate change? 

A) by the cooling effects of particles added to the atmosphere by volcanic eruptions 
B) by the cooling effects of particles in smoke that has resulted from large-scale burning 
C) by the warming effects of particles in smoke that has resulted from large-scale burning 
D) by the warming effects of sulphur dioxide emissions

Question 25

Which niche would likely be affected by global warming? 

A) a keystone niche 
B) a specialist niche 
C) an indicator niche 
D) a generalist niche

Question 26

Which of the following is a potential effect of global warming on human health? 

A) sanitation systems in coastal cities may be flooded 
B) increased skin cancer rates 
C) insect-borne diseases would likely decrease in today's temperate zones 
D) increased deformities in amphibians

Question 27

What happens to 29% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by human activities? 

A) It is absorbed by the soil. 
B) It is absorbed by the oceans. 
C) It remains in the atmosphere. 
D) It is absorbed by the growth of plants.

Question 28

What would likely occur in a warmer world? 

A) fewer droughts 
B) more hurricanes 
C) fewer deserts 
D) fewer heat waves

Question 29

What is a likely consequence of the increasing numbers of environmental refugees that would occur in a warmer world? 

A) accelerated evolutionary adaptation among humans 
B) accelerated emergence of the fourth world order 
C) more goodwill among people 
D) political instability

Question 30

Which measure is urged by scientists,who claim the global climate system is so complex that society will never have the level of certainty wanted by decision makers? 

A) Take no action until more data are obtained. 
B) Take action now, based on the precautionary principle. 
C) Continue monitoring the data. 
D) Take no action now because global warming is all hyperbole.

Question 31

Which statement describes what the impact of methane might be as global warming progresses? 

A) Methane might be absorbed from natural wetlands with rising carbon dioxide. 
B) Methane may be reduced by bacteria in tundra soils. 
C) Methane may be released from oceanic mud as ocean waters warm. 
D) Methane might be absorbed as permafrost melts in the arctic tundra.

Question 32

What is one possible outcome of increased levels of carbon dioxide in the troposphere? 

A) The rate of photosynthesis may decrease because there are no other limiting factors. 
B) More northern species may start to migrate southward. 
C) Species diversity in tropical rain forests, such as the Amazon, may be altered. 
D) The number of plant-eating insects in rain forests may decrease.

Question 33

What is the quickest,cheapest,and most effective way to reduce the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? 

A) stop deforestation 
B) increase the efficiency of energy use 
C) plant trees to trap more carbon dioxide 
D) switch from fossil fuels to nuclear fuels

Question 34

Which of the following are scientists uncertain about? 

A) variations in solar output 
B) the role that oceans play in global warming 
C) patterns of glacial and interglacial periods in the Earth's history 
D) the role of polar ice in global warming

Question 35

Which possible consequence of global warming represents a negative feedback loop? 

A) Methane may be released from natural wetlands with rising carbon dioxide. 
B) Methane may be rapidly oxidized by bacteria in tundra soils. 
C) Methane may be released as permafrost melts in the arctic tundra. 
D) Methane may be released from oceanic mud as ocean waters warm.

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a likely outcome of global warming? 

A) reduced biodiversity 
B) higher sea levels 
C) decreased food production 
D) more moderate weather

Question 37

Which of the following is an approach to minimizing global warming? 

A) reduce the phosphorous and nitrogen in soaps 
B) stopping the production of CFCs 
C) dispersing methane from landfills to prevent explosions 
D) taxing gasoline and carbon dioxide emissions

Question 38

Which of the following are scientists uncertain about? 

A) how decreased temperatures will affect insect populations 
B) how much carbon dioxide can be stored in the oceans 
C) how water vapour will affect the rate of photosynthesis 
D) how increased temperatures will affect insect populations

Question 39

What is one way to address the threat of global warming? 

A) using energy more efficiently 
B) shifting to non-renewable resources 
C) increase clear-cutting in tropical forests 
D) halting deforestation

Question 40

What might occur if climate belts move faster than trees migrate? 

A) tropical forests in New England 
B) a large increase of forest area 
C) mass extinctions of species that could not migrate 
D) an increase in forest diversity

Question 41

What is one means of slowing the rate of ozone hole creation? 

A) by increasing the production of ozone-depleting chemicals 
B) by finding substitutes for CFCs 
C) by not burning fossil fuels in the Antarctic 
D) by recovering and reusing ozone-depleting chemicals

Question 42

The fact that increased rates of skin cancer may not become apparent until 15 to 40 years after ozone depletion has occurred illustrates the concept of lag time.

Question 43

What was a result of meetings concerning the Kyoto Protocol? 

A) Ontario and Alberta objected to the Kyoto Protocol. 
B) Stephen Harper proposed a made-in-Canada solution and withdrew support of the Kyoto Protocol. 
C) Nunavut, Manitoba, and Quebec supported the Kyoto Protocol. 
D) George W. Bush withdrew U.S. support of the Kyoto Protocol because of cost and possible loss of jobs for workers.

Question 44

Which chemical is NOT capable of destroying ozone? 

A) halons in fire extinguishers and crop fumigants 
B) formaldehyde used as a preservative 
C) chlorofluorocarbons 
D) carbon tetrachloride used as a solvent

Question 45

Which of the following does NOT use CFCs in its production? 

A) sterilants in hospitals 
B) fuels in camp stoves 
C) coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners 
D) propellants in aerosol spray cans

Question 46

Which of the following is characteristic of CFCs? 

A) CFCs are biodegradable. 
B) CFCs are corrosive and toxic. 
C) CFCs are odourless and stable. 
D) CFCs are expensive to produce.

Question 47

Which substance is non-destructive in the ozone layer? 

A) CFCs 
B) methyl bromide 
C) halons 
D) PCBs

Question 48

Which strategy was proposed in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to reduce global warming? 

A) Emissions trading would not be allowed. 
B) Forested countries would get a break in their emissions quotas. 
C) Developing countries would be required to make cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions. 
D) Developed countries would be allowed to increase emissions by 15%.

Question 49

Which product does NOT use chlorofluorocarbons in its production? 

A) fire extinguishers 
B) air conditioners 
C) aerosol spray cans 
D) sterilants for hospital equipment

Question 50

Which of the following is characteristic of CFCs? 

A) CFCs are relatively unreactive compounds. 
B) Ultraviolet radiation will not cause CFCs to break down. 
C) CFCs are heavy molecules that will sink in the atmosphere. 
D) Only UV-B radiation is impacted by CFCs.

Question 51

How many years do CFCs take to reach the stratosphere? 

A) 1 to 2 years 
B) 5 to 10 years 
C) 10 to 20 years 
D) 20 to 30 years

Question 52

What fraction of the world's cumulative CO₂ emissions can be attributed to the Unites States? 

A) 25% 
B) 50% 
C) 60% 
D) 70%

Question 53

What is the current situation with the ozone layer? 

A) The large annual decrease in ozone over the south pole is caused by spinning vortices containing clouds of ice crystals with absorbed CFCs on their surfaces. 
B) Up to 20% of the ozone over Antarctica is destroyed each year. 
C) The ozone hole in the Arctic is most prevalent in January. 
D) The ozone hole is larger in the northern hemisphere than in the southern hemisphere.

Question 54

How many years elapsed between the scientific community's first warnings about CFCs and the political community's response to the need to reduce CFCs? 

A) 1 year 
B) 5 years 
C) 10 years 
D) 15 years

Question 55

How many years would it take for Earth to recover to pre-1950 ozone levels if all of the ozone-depleting substances were banned tomorrow? 

A) about 50 years 
B) about 75 years 
C) about 100 years 
D) about 125 years

Question 56

Which term applies to chlorofluorocarbons? 

A) flammable 
B) nontoxic 
C) odorous 
D) corrosive

Question 57

Which of the following characterizes CFCs? 

A) CFCs are stable, odourless, non-flammable, nontoxic, and noncorrosive chemicals. 
B) CFCs only remain in the atmosphere for two to five years. 
C) CFCs are important because they help prevent ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth's surface by screening it out. 
D) Over 44 years passed from the first production of CFCs until the first awareness that they could cause environmental damage.

Question 58

How much ozone is lost in the upper stratosphere over the Antarctic during the Antarctic springtime? 

A) a 70 to 80% loss 
B) a 40 to 50% loss 
C) a 20 to 25% loss 
D) a 5 to 10% loss

Question 59

How many nations at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000? 

A) over 100 
B) 75 
C) 50 
D) 25

Question 60

Which of the following illustrates the discovery of the effects of CFCs and the political response to that knowledge? 

A) a negative feedback loop 
B) a positive feedback loop 
C) a synergistic interaction 
D) a lag time

Question 61

A single chlorine atom can convert as many as 1 000 ozone molecules to molecular oxygen molecules.

Question 62

A warmer atmosphere is beneficial to wildlife habitats and plant species because of the increased temperature and productivity.

Question 63

Mankind's use of renewable energy will lessen the effects of human activities on climate change.

Question 64

The human health problems closely associated with ozone depletion include an increased incidence of heart disease.

Question 65

UV-A rays can easily be blocked by window glass.

Question 66

Increases in ultraviolet radiation will cause an increase in the incidence of skin cancers and eye cataracts,and will suppress the human immune system.

Question 67

The world's economies are not affected by the effects of climate change.

Question 68

Scientists believe that rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are contributing to global warming,but cannot discern to what extent and with what ramifications.

Question 69

Coal burning,diesel engines,and open fires produce ___________________________________,which may be the second largest contributor to global warming.

Question 70

In the stratosphere,ambient temperature increases with altitude due to the absorption of UV light by oxygen and ozone.

Question 71

The United States,China,and Russia-three of the world's major greenhouse gas emitters-agreed in 2001 to participate in a cap-and-trade program to slow global warming.

Question 72

The highest UV index readings in Canada usually occur in the months of August and September.

Question 73

Rising sea levels,increasing cloud cover,and air pollution will decrease climate change.

Question 74

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

Question 75

The _________________________ approach to addressing global warming involves plants storing CO₂.

Question 76

Damage to the ecological structure and function of lakes because of deeper penetration of UV light into the water occurs because of a synergistic interaction among ozone depletion,acid deposition,and global warming.

Question 77

CFCs are released into the atmosphere by spray cans,discarded refrigerators,and leaky air conditioners.

Question 78

To help protect the ozone layer,individuals should avoid purchasing products that contain CFCs.

Question 79

In 1987,36 nations met in Montreal,Canada and developed the Montreal Protocol to reduce production of CFCs.

Question 80

The ozone hole is a reduction in concentrations of ozone that occurs in the stratosphere high above the Earth.