Question 1

Principles of the Paris Agreement include
A) specific goals for energy efficiency.
B) commitment to GHG emissions.
C) commitment to offer INDCs.
D) quantitative targets of GHG reductions.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

As a specific approach to reducing the impact of green house gasses, mitigation refers to
A) taking steps to reduce emissions today to delay or reduce global temperature increases.
B) new legislation that allows for lawsuits for those who do not comply with emission limits.
C) adjustments to reduce the negative impacts of temperature increases.
D) protecting specific key resources from temperature increases.

Accepted Answer

Mitigation focuses on taking action to reduce or prevent the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere in order to limit the extent of climate change. This is done by reducing fossil fuel use, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. Therefore, choice A is the best option.

Question 3

There are two fundamental paths to address the problems of global climate change: _________ and/or __________.
A) regulation; elimination
B) mitigation; adaptation
C) market; legal
D) global; local

Accepted Answer

The two fundamental paths to address the problems of global climate change are mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the extent of climate change, while adaptation focuses on adapting to the changes that are already happening or are likely to happen in the future. Both are important and complementary approaches to addressing the challenges of climate change. Regulatory measures, legal frameworks or market-based mechanisms could be used for implementing mitigation and adaptation measures. Global and local actions are required for effective climate action.

Question 4

Higher levels of atmospheric CO₂ are expected to have a substantial impact on ecosystems, including individual plant and animal species, not just because of the magnitude of change but also because of ??????________________. A) reason for the change B) location of the change C) predictability of the change D) the rate of change

Accepted Answer

The rate of change of atmospheric COS (carbonyl sulfide) is important because rapid changes can have a more significant impact on ecosystems than slower changes. Slower changes can allow for adaptation, while rapid changes may cause more immediate stress on plant and animal species.

Question 5

Two incentive based programs that might be considered to control GHG are
A) emissions standards; technology based standards.
B) cap and trade programs; emission taxes/charges.
C) bag and tag programs; cap and trade programs.
D) shifting away from meat consumption; CAFÉ standards.

Accepted Answer

Cap and trade programs and emission taxes/charges are both incentive-based programs that have been used to control greenhouse gas emissions. In cap and trade programs, a cap is set on the total amount of emissions allowed, and companies are given permits to emit a certain amount. The permits can then be traded on a market, creating a financial incentive for companies to reduce their emissions. Similarly, emission taxes or charges put a price on emissions, creating a financial incentive for companies to reduce their emissions to avoid the additional costs. These programs have been successful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in some cases, such as in the European Union's Emissions Trading System.

Question 6

When discussing economic adaptation, examples of adaptation include
A) increasing the markets.
B) investing in flood control.
C) focusing on wind power vs. mass transit networks.
D) addressing immigration policies.

Accepted Answer

Investing in flood control is an example of economic adaptation because it addresses the impact of climate change on infrastructure and property, which can lead to economic losses. The other choices are more related to broader economic strategies or social policies.

Question 7

When there are substantial differences among sources and technologies in terms of the costs of reducing greenhouse gasses, the use of __________ is more cost effective than the use of _____________.
A) incentives; fines
B) fines; incentives
C) incentive based policies; command and control policies
D) command and control policies; incentive based policies

Accepted Answer

When there are substantial differences in costs, incentive-based policies are more effective than command and control policies. This is because command and control policies tend to be uniform and inflexible, which can result in inefficient outcomes. In contrast, incentive-based policies allow for flexibility and innovation, which can lead to cost savings and improved environmental outcomes. Additionally, fines are unlikely to be effective when there are large cost differentials among sources, as the highest-cost sources may simply choose to pay the fine rather than reduce their emissions. Incentives, on the other hand, provide a financial reward for emissions reductions, regardless of the cost differential among sources.

Question 8

There is some evidence that CO2 emissions have been contained within the United States and Europe. One of the main reasons for the decline is thought to be
A) the 2008 recession.
B) new legislation.
C) smaller automobiles.
D) increased recycling.

Accepted Answer

The 2008 recession led to a decline in economic activity, which resulted in reduced emissions from industries and transportation.

Question 9

The rate of heating due to global warming is expected to be about ______ per decade.
A) .05° C per decade
B) .5° C per decade
C) 5° C per decade
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The rate of heating due to global warming is expected to be about 0.5°C per decade. This is based on the current trends and predictions by scientific models. It may vary depending on various factors, but this is the most commonly accepted estimate.

Question 10

The Kyoto Protocol came into force in 2005 and was the first ___________ effort to address GHG reduction and control.
A) national
B) international
C) private
D) European

Accepted Answer

The Kyoto Protocol was an international effort, involving multiple countries and territories, to address greenhouse gas reduction and control.

Question 11

The United States and other countries have a long history of using __________. This approach will increase the cost of controlling Greenhouse Gasses.
A) command and control policies
B) decentralized policies
C) incentive based strategies
D) market trading systems

Accepted Answer

The phrase "command and control policies" suggests the use of regulatory measures to control greenhouse gas emissions, which have been used in the past by the United States and other countries. This approach has been criticized for being costly and inflexible, as it requires businesses to adopt specific technologies or practices to comply with regulations. In contrast, decentralized policies, incentive-based strategies, and market trading systems offer more flexibility and cost-effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 12

Afforestation is an example of _________________. A) an emission reduction method B) augmenting the CO₂ absorption capacity of the ecosystem C) a technology standard D) a CO₂capture and storage method

Accepted Answer

Afforestation is the process of planting trees in an area where there was no forest cover. This helps in augmenting the carbon dioxide absorption capacity of the ecosystem by facilitating the conversion of CO2 into oxygen during the process of photosynthesis. It is not an emission reduction method, technology standard, or a carbon capture and storage method.

Question 13

In recent years, the most important factors in reducing CO₂ emissions have been A) population and GDP per capita. B) energy use per person and CO₂ emissions per goods sold. C) energy efficiency and CO₂ produced per energy used. D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

In recent years, the focus has been on increasing energy efficiency and reducing the amount of CO2 produced per unit of energy used. This approach has been more effective than simply relying on population and GDP per capita or reducing energy use per person. Therefore, the most important factors in reducing CO2 emissions have been energy efficiency and CO2 produced per energy used.

Question 14

Global plans for emissions reductions require that we follow a strategy for assigning responsibility for emission reduction. If global policy assigns carbon emissions reductions according to total emissions, the largest reductions, as of 2020, would have to come from __________.
A) India
B) China
C) France
D) the United States

Accepted Answer

China is currently the largest emitter of carbon dioxide, followed by the United States. Therefore, if emissions reductions were assigned according to total emissions, the largest reductions would have to come from these two countries.

Question 15

Using _______to control greenhouse gasses are likely to be more expensive than _____.
A) policy; informal agreements
B) technology or emissions based standards; incentive based strategies
C) fines; subsidies
D) decentralized; centralized

Accepted Answer

Technology or emissions based standards require investments in new technology and equipment, which can be expensive. Incentive based strategies, on the other hand, offer rewards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which can be more cost-effective.

Question 16

Cap and trade is a _____ based plan. A limit is placed on emissions and prices are established in emissions permit markets. Emission taxes are a _______ based policy. A fee on emissions is set and the quantity of emissions is adjusted as polluters react to the fee.
A) price; quantity
B) quantity; price
C) technology; behavior
D) behavior; technology

Accepted Answer

Cap and trade is a quantity-based plan because it sets a limit (quantity) on emissions and allows the market to determine the price of emissions permits. Emission taxes are price-based policies because they set a price (fee) on emissions, and the quantity of emissions is then adjusted based on how polluters react to the fee.

Question 17

As a specific approach to reducing the impact of green house gasses, adaptation refers to
A) taking steps to reduce emissions today to delay or reduce global temperature increases.
B) new legislation that allows for lawsuits for those who do not comply with emission limits.
C) adjustments to reduce the negative impacts of temperature increases.
D) protecting specific key resources from temperature increases.

Accepted Answer

Adaptation refers to making adjustments to reduce the negative impacts of temperature increases caused by greenhouse gas emissions. This can include measures such as building sea walls to protect against rising sea levels, developing drought-resistant crop varieties, and improving water management systems in areas facing water scarcity. It is different from mitigation, which focuses on reducing emissions themselves to prevent further temperature increases.

Question 18

With no green house gases at all, the earth would be _______ for human life.
A) more comfortable
B) uninhabitable
C) 10 degrees cooler
D) more sustainable

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases are responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere, and without them, the earth's surface temperature would be much too cold for human survival. Therefore, the absence of these gases would render the planet uninhabitable.

Question 19

Which of the following events or activities have contributed to the increase in global green house gasses?
A) deforestation
B) the industrial revolution
C) increased use of fossil fuels
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above events or activities have contributed to the increase in global greenhouse gases. Deforestation leads to the reduction in the number of trees which are responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide. The Industrial Revolution brought about mass production and the increase in the use of machinery, which relies on the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. The increased use of fossil fuels leads to the release of carbon dioxide, which is one of the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

Question 20

One of the biggest impacts of global climate change will be in forestry and agriculture. The agricultural impacts will hit ____________ harder.
A) developed nations
B) the western hemisphere
C) developing nations
D) the southern hemisphere

Accepted Answer

Developing nations, which often have agriculture as a major industry and may have less resources to adapt to changing weather patterns and other impacts of climate change, are likely to be hit harder by agricultural impacts. Developed nations may have more resources to adapt, while the impacts may be spread more evenly across the western and southern hemispheres.

Quiz 18: The Global Environment

Principles of the Paris Agreement include

As a specific approach to reducing the impact of green house gasses, mitigation refers to

There are two fundamental paths to address the problems of global climate change: _ and/or __.

Higher levels of atmospheric CO₂ are expected to have a substantial impact on ecosystems, including individual plant and animal species, not just because of the magnitude of change but also because of ??????________________.

Two incentive based programs that might be considered to control GHG are

When discussing economic adaptation, examples of adaptation include

When there are substantial differences among sources and technologies in terms of the costs of reducing greenhouse gasses, the use of is more cost effective than the use of ___.

There is some evidence that CO2 emissions have been contained within the United States and Europe. One of the main reasons for the decline is thought to be

The rate of heating due to global warming is expected to be about ______ per decade.

The Kyoto Protocol came into force in 2005 and was the first ___________ effort to address GHG reduction and control.

The United States and other countries have a long history of using __________. This approach will increase the cost of controlling Greenhouse Gasses.

Afforestation is an example of _________________.

In recent years, the most important factors in reducing CO₂ emissions have been

Global plans for emissions reductions require that we follow a strategy for assigning responsibility for emission reduction. If global policy assigns carbon emissions reductions according to total emissions, the largest reductions, as of 2020, would have to come from __________.

Using ___to control greenhouse gasses are likely to be more expensive than _.

Cap and trade is a _ based plan. A limit is placed on emissions and prices are established in emissions permit markets. Emission taxes are a ___ based policy. A fee on emissions is set and the quantity of emissions is adjusted as polluters react to the fee.

As a specific approach to reducing the impact of green house gasses, adaptation refers to

With no green house gases at all, the earth would be _______ for human life.

Which of the following events or activities have contributed to the increase in global green house gasses?

One of the biggest impacts of global climate change will be in forestry and agriculture. The agricultural impacts will hit ____________ harder.