Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

The United States is notable for signing the Kyoto Protocol but not ratifying it, making it one of the few countries that did not formally commit to the treaty's obligations.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The predicted rise in sea levels is expected to cause various negative impacts on coastal areas, including saltwater contamination, flooding, and destruction of ecosystems. Replenishment of coastal fisheries is not directly associated with rising sea levels and could actually be negatively affected due to habitat loss and changes in water salinity and temperature.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

CCS operates on the precautionary principle by capturing carbon dioxide emissions from sources like power plants before they can enter the atmosphere, thus helping to mitigate climate change.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Costa Rica has set an ambitious goal to become the first carbon-neutral country by aiming to cut its net carbon emissions to zero by 2030. This is part of its broader environmental and sustainability efforts.

Question 5

A rise in sea level is least likely to ____.

Accepted Answer

Rising sea levels primarily pose threats to coastal ecosystems and human settlements, including flooding, erosion, aquifer contamination, and impacts on fisheries. Saving coral reefs is not a likely outcome; instead, rising sea levels, along with other factors like temperature increase and ocean acidification, generally threaten coral reef health.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The cooling of the stratosphere is consistent with the theory of global warming caused by increased greenhouse gases, rather than the sun becoming hotter. If the sun were hotter, we would expect all layers of the atmosphere to warm, not just the lower layers with the upper layers cooling.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are all greenhouse gases found in the earth's lower atmosphere.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere and its conversion to carbonic acid, poses a significant threat to marine life. It particularly affects shelled organisms by making it harder for them to form their shells and can lead to a decrease in phytoplankton populations, which are crucial for marine food webs and carbon cycling.

Question 9

A warmer world is least likely to result in ____.

Accepted Answer

A warmer world is expected to lead to more extreme weather events, not increased moderate weather. Climate change exacerbates weather extremes, including heatwaves, storms, and droughts, rather than promoting moderate weather conditions.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Temperate oak-pine and oak-hickory forests are more resilient and adaptable to changes in climate compared to the other ecosystems listed, which are more sensitive and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Coral reefs, coastal wetlands, high elevation mountaintops, and alpine and Arctic tundra are all highly sensitive to temperature changes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disturbances.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Polar areas are ____ than lower latitudes...

Question 12

A rapidly changing climate is least likely to affect ____.

Accepted Answer

Climate change significantly impacts agriculture, weather patterns, and habitats, directly affecting where and how much food can be grown, the frequency of weather extremes, and livable areas for humans and wildlife. However, the types of economies that exist are more indirectly affected and can be influenced by a broader range of factors beyond climate alone, making E the least likely to be affected directly by a rapidly changing climate.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The phrase "methane time bombs" refers to the large amounts of methane that could be released from thawing permafrost due to climate change, potentially accelerating global warming.

Question 14

The tipping point for CO₂levels is 450 ppm.This means ____.

Accepted Answer

The tipping point for CO₂ levels at 450 ppm indicates that levels above this threshold could lead to long-term potentially catastrophic effects, such as significant climate change impacts.

Question 15

Since 1980,Arctic Sea Ice has ____.

Accepted Answer

Since 1980, Arctic Sea Ice has seen a significant decrease in both volume and surface area due to global warming and climate change. This decline is well-documented through satellite observations and scientific research.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

In a warmer world, many organisms might adapt or even thrive, but humans are likely to face significant challenges. Increased temperatures can lead to a range of problems such as more intense and frequent heatwaves, rising sea levels, and disrupted food supplies, which can negatively impact human populations.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The term "carbon footprint" refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, that are emitted into the atmosphere as a direct or indirect result of an individual's, organization's, or product's actions and lifestyle choices.

Question 18

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 ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientific debate over whether the warming of...

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The current concern about global warming is primarily due to its rapid rate, which is unprecedented in the Earth's history. This rapid change poses significant challenges for ecosystems and human societies to adapt.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

The benefits and harmful impacts of climate change are not spread evenly. Some regions and populations are more vulnerable and will suffer more than others, making the distribution of impacts uneven.

Quiz 19: Climate Disruption and Ozone Depletion