Deck 19: Climate Disruption and Ozone Depletion

Question 1

The earth's lower atmosphere is composed of all of the following greenhouse gases, except

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

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following 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.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

If current rates of CO₂ emissions continue, the CO₂ level will be at what level by 2050?

A)275 ppm
B)335 ppm
C)380 ppm
D)450 ppm
E)560 ppm

Answer 3

E

Question 4

Major climate models predict all of the following, except

A)a 2- to 4.5-degree centigrade rise in earth's mean surface temperature by 2100
B)human 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 cuts
E)temperature increases of 3 degrees centigrade are most likely

Question 5

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the acidity of the ocean surface has increased by what percentage?

A)10%
B)20%
C)30%
D)40%
E)50%

Question 6

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 7

What is the big deal about the atmosphere getting a few degrees warmer?

A)may raise the ocean level
B)may kill off the coral in the oceans
C)may cause warm weather plants to move further north or south
D)may move weather patterns around
E)may cause a rapid global change in climate

Question 8

A 2007 study by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies predicts how much of the world's land area could be experiencing extreme drought by 2059?

A)12%
B)23%
C)33%
D)45%
E)53%

Question 9

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

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

Question 10

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

Question 11

During the past 275 years human activities have been responsible for 70% of methane emissions. Those activities included all of the following, except

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 12

Carbon dioxide rates reached what level in 2010?

A)300 ppm
B)332 ppm
C)357 ppm
D)389 ppm
E)417ppm

Question 13

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 14

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 15

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

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

Question 16

NASA climate scientist James Hansen predicts we need to bring CO₂ levels down to the level we had in 1990 in order to maintain a climate similar to what we have had over the last 10,000 years. What is that 1990 CO₂ level?

A)500 ppm
B)450 ppm
C)380 ppm
D)350 ppm
E)280 ppm

Question 17

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)27
B)298
C)13
D)306
E)127

Question 18

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 19

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 20

Scientific studies and models indicate we need to prevent CO₂ levels from reaching an irreversible tipping point of ____ ppm, which could set into motion large-scale, long-term changes.

A)450 ppm
B)500 ppm
C)550 ppm
D)600 ppm
E)650 ppm

Question 21

Which of the following is not a strategy for reducing 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 22

The western United States is currently experiencing its worst drought in how many years?

A)1000
B)500
C)300
D)250
E)150

Question 23

The 2003 U.S.National Academy of Sciences report outlined a worst-case scenario in which all of the following could occur, except

A)collapse of ecosystems
B)floods in low-lying coastal cities
C)forests burning in vast wildfires
D)drinking and irrigation water drying up
E)mountain glaciers growing in size

Question 24

It has been suggested that the threat of global warming can be addressed by all of the following geoengineering strategies, except

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

Question 25

The predicted rise in sea levels during the 21st Century will likely cause all of the following results, except

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 26

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 27

Prevention approaches to global warming include all of the following, except

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 28

Climate models indicate that we will have to deal with all of the following issues that will result from a rapidly changing climate, except

A)where food can be grown
B)how much food can be grown
C)which areas will have increased drought or flooding
D)where people and wildlife will be able to live
E)what kinds of economies will exist

Question 29

Methane locked in the permafrost soils of the tundra contains ____ times the amount of carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels each year.

A)70─100
B)50─60
C)30─40
D)20─30
E)10─15

Question 30

Carbon capture and storage techniques have all of the following problems, except

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 31

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 32

"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 33

All of the following are examples of reducing carbon dioxide levels by collecting greenhouse gas emissions and storing them somewhere, except

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 34

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 35

A 2009 study by the University of Maryland projects which of the following locations will see the biggest sea level rise in the world?

A)north polar region
B)Netherlands
C)Louisiana
D)north eastern U.S
E)Florida

Question 36

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 37

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 38

Addressing climate change is difficult for all of the following reasons, except

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 39

Following is a list of possible climate change tipping points, except for one.Choose the one that is not a tipping point.

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

Question 40

According to John Sterman's Bathtub Model, how much of the CO₂ being emitted into the atmosphere is retained in the atmosphere for up to 200 years.

A)100%
B)45%
C)30%
D)25%
E)<1%

Question 41

Estimates of global sea level rise by the year 2100 is from 39 to 78 inches.

Question 42

Chemicals capable of destroying ozone include all of the following, except

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

Question 43

The effects of ozone depletion on humans includes all of the following, except

A)more cataracts
B)suppression of immune system
C)more brain cancers
D)worse sunburn
E)more skin cancers

Question 44

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

Question 45

By 2009, how many U.S.states had set goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

A)1
B)5
C)12
D)22
E)30

Question 46

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

Question 47

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

Question 48

Researchers Rowland and Molina, in 1974, came to all of the following conclusions about CFCs except:

A)CFCs remain in the atmosphere once they are injected there
B)CFCs combine with water vapor and are responsible for acid rain
C)after 11-20 years CFCs rise into the stratosphere
D)once in the stratosphere CFCs break ozone down
E)each CFC molecule can last in the stratosphere from 65 to 385 years

Question 49

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 50

Which of the following companies has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 72% and saved $3 billion while increasing its business by almost a third?

A)Alcoa
B)DuPont
C)Walmart
D)General Electric
E)British Petroleum

Question 51

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)50-80%
E)100%

Question 52

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 53

Which of the following is not a precaution to follow in order to reduce exposure to UV radiation?

A)do not use tanning parlors or sun lamps
B)limit exposure to UV radiation to overcast days
C)do not expose yourself to the sun if you are taking antibiotics or birth control pills
D)use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15
E)use UV-A and UV-B protective clothing and sunglasses

Question 54

A layer of ozone in the lower stratosphere reduces the sun's harmful UV radiation by how much?

A)95%
B)63%
C)49%
D)33%
E)20%

Question 55

Chlorofluorocarbons are

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

Question 56

Over the past 900,000 years the earth's atmosphere has been remarkably steady, not undergoing cycles of warming and cooling.

Question 57

There are six major methods governments can use to promote solutions to climate disruption, including all of the following, except

A)strictly regulate carbon dioxide and methane as air pollutants
B)phase in carbon taxes or fees
C)place a cap on total human-generated carbon dioxide and methane emissions
D)increase subsidies to businesses that encourage energy efficient technologies
E)curb economic growth

Question 58

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

Question 59

If Greenland's ice were to melt completely the global sea level would rise by 23 feet.

Question 60

If all of the ozone-depleting substances were banned tomorrow, it would take about ____ years for earth to recover to pre-1950 levels.

A)25
B)50
C)75
D)100
E)125

Question 61

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

Question 62

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is on record saying that climate change is the most important challenge we face.

Question 63

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

Question 64

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 65

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

Question 66

Approximately 80% of all mountain glaciers in South America are shrinking in size.

Question 67

We are currently at an atmospheric concentration of carbon of 389 ppm.

Question 68

Higher latitude countries such as Russia, Canada, and New Zealand would have more deaths and lower crop yields because of climate disruption, especially in the beginning.

Question 69

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

Question 70

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

Question 71

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

Question 72

Changes in the energy output of the sun are responsible for the majority of the rise in earth's temperature.

Question 73

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

Question 74

The tipping point for atmospheric concentrations of carbon is considered 450 ppm.

Question 75

Methane levels in the atmosphere have tripled in the last 275 years.

Question 76

The area of the earth's land experiencing severe drought decreased in size from about 30% to about 15%.

Question 77

Thomas Midgley Jr., discovered the first chlorofluorocarbon in 1930.

Question 78

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

Question 79

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

Question 80

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