Question 1

"Hard" solutions to natural disasters do NOT include:
A) installing barriers along coasts.
B) building riprap walls along coasts.
C) constructing levees on dams.
D) updating zoning laws.
E) setting up drains on landslide prone hills.

Accepted Answer

"Hard" solutions refer to physical engineering solutions to natural disasters. Updating zoning laws is not a physical engineering solution and therefore not considered a "hard" solution.

Question 2

Population increase is susceptible to a cruel feedback loop that:
A) increases population to sustainable levels.
B) causes natural disasters.
C) reduces population to sustainable levels.
D) will be controlled by the government.
E) restricts the number of children born.

Accepted Answer

Population increase is often followed by a resource depletion, which in turn can lead to famine, disease, and war that reduces the population to sustainable levels. This is a known feedback loop, where the population increases, resources get depleted, and the population decreases until resources become available again. This is known as the Malthusian trap. However, it is essential to note that the Malthusian trap does not always apply to all societies, as some have developed advanced technologies and social systems that allow them to sustain a larger population.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT an effect of global warming on natural disasters?
A) increased global temperatures
B) population collapse
C) disruption of living conditions
D) increased incidence of storms
E) increased earthquakes

Accepted Answer

Increased earthquakes are not a direct effect of global warming on natural disasters. While there may be some indirect connections between the two, such as the melting of ice causing changes in the Earth's crust that could trigger earthquakes, this is not a widely accepted or significant factor compared to the other options listed.

Question 4

Which of the following statements gives the best example of an effect that global warming has had on hurricanes specifically?
A) The number of hurricanes has increased significantly.
B) The annual number of intense storms has nearly doubled.
C) The increase in temperature gives less energy to tropical storms.
D) Global warming leads to lighter rainfall during these storms.
E) El Nino effects have diminished in intensity.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that global warming has caused an increase in the number of intense hurricanes, with the annual number nearly doubling. This is likely due to the fact that warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy for storm formation and intensification.

Question 5

When determining responsibility for property damage,what is a good rule of thumb to obey?
A) Always purchase insurance.
B) "Caveat emptor," or buyer beware.
C) The real estate agent is always liable.
D) The government will always cover the costs of the damage.
E) The seller is never responsible.

Accepted Answer

"Caveat emptor" means that it is the responsibility of the buyer to carefully inspect and assess the condition of the property before purchasing it. This can help prevent disputes and determine responsibility in cases of property damage.

Question 6

During industrialization,many mistakes were made by building without considering the effects on nature.Which of the following is NOT one of them?
A) Homes were built closer to streams, cliffs, and barrier islands.
B) People accepted the risk, believing it wouldn't happen to them.
C) Levees were built to hold back rivers, allowing people to live in the natural high-flood zones.
D) Towns were built on higher terraces for protection.
E) Development near active volcanoes and earthquake faults.

Accepted Answer

Building towns on higher terraces for protection is not a mistake made during industrialization. In fact, it is a common adaptation strategy to natural disasters such as flooding.

Question 7

The warming of the Atlantic sea surface since 1995 has increased:
A) tsunamis.
B) hurricane activity.
C) tornadoes.
D) earthquakes.
E) costal erosion.

Accepted Answer

The warming of the Atlantic sea surface since 1995 has led to an increase in hurricane activity. Warmer water provides more energy for storms to form and intensify, leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of hurricanes.

Question 8

Which of the following methods of mitigation is important in reducing losses?
A) strictly enforced building codes
B) loosely enforced building codes
C) decreased land use regulation
D) seeking reimbursement for financial losses from natural disasters from a government entity
E) willful ignorance

Accepted Answer

Enforcing strict building codes ensures that structures are built to withstand natural disasters, thus reducing losses. Loose enforcement of building codes can lead to poor construction and greater vulnerability to natural disasters. Decreased land use regulation and willful ignorance do not contribute to reducing losses. Seeking reimbursement for financial losses is a post-disaster recovery measure, not a mitigation strategy.

Question 9

Which of the following is the best option for describing mitigation?
A) continuing to challenge nature by building in vulnerable areas, but in safer ways
B) building in accordance with nature, in safe areas out of harm's way
C) willful ignorance
D) building more levees
E) installing bomb shelters in as many homes as possible to protect people from any possible natural hazard

Accepted Answer

Mitigation refers to reducing the risks and impacts of natural hazards, and building in safe areas out of harm's way is a common approach to achieving this. Option B suggests building in accordance with nature, which means avoiding vulnerable areas and choosing safer locations. This is a more effective and sustainable approach to mitigating natural hazards than options A, C, D, and E.

Question 10

Property rights advocates feel homeowners should:
A) be able to do whatever they like with their property.
B) purchase insurance in the event of a disaster.
C) hire a geologist to survey their property before building.
D) be able to blame the real estate agent if their property is damaged.
E) exercise caution when purchasing property.

Accepted Answer

Property rights advocates typically believe in the freedom of homeowners to use their property as they see fit, without excessive restrictions.

Question 11

Which of the following options best represents societal attitudes and tendencies toward natural disasters?
A) After a couple years have passed, people quickly forget that disasters can happen again.
B) People usually feel obliged to pay for their damaged property after an incident.
C) People who face losing major investments admit they should have been more cautious.
D) The homeowner is always responsible for property damage of their homes.
E) People always advocate that regions harmed by natural disasters should not be rebuilt.

Accepted Answer

This option best represents societal attitudes and tendencies toward natural disasters as history has shown that people tend to quickly forget the possibility of future disasters once a couple of years have passed. This can lead to a lack of preparedness and vulnerability to future disasters.

Question 12

Which of the following is the best answer for a "hard" solution?
A) installing catchment basins below debris-flow channels
B) willful ignorance
C) Installing concrete barriers and riprap along coasts
D) levees on rivers
E) all except willful ignorance

Accepted Answer

A "hard" solution refers to physical structures or engineering interventions to manage environmental issues, and all options except willful ignorance involve such measures.

Question 13

Since 1988,federal policy has shifted to emphasize:
A) the precautionary principle.
B) property rights.
C) reverse condemnation.
D) mitigation.
E) willful ignorance.

Accepted Answer

Federal policy has shifted to emphasize mitigation, which involves taking steps to reduce adverse effects, particularly in environmental contexts.

Question 14

For poor countries,the reduction of vulnerability to natural hazards depends on:
A) strengthening zoning restrictions.
B) improving warning systems.
C) education.
D) cultural, economic, and political factors.
E) willful ignorance.

Accepted Answer

Cultural, economic, and political factors all play a role in determining a country's vulnerability to natural hazards. For example, countries with weak economies may not be able to afford to build adequate infrastructure to protect against natural disasters, and countries with weak political systems may not be able to enforce zoning restrictions or provide effective warning systems.

Question 15

As a result of climate change,the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased by how much worldwide since 1990?
A) doubled
B) decreased by fifty percent
C) tripled
D) stayed the same
E) decreased by ten percent

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has doubled worldwide since 1990 due to climate change.

Question 16

What was the magnitude of the 2010 Haiti earthquake?
A) 7.5
B) 8
C) 6
D) 6.5
E) 7

Accepted Answer

The 2010 Haiti earthquake had a magnitude of 7.0.

Question 17

Sea-surface temperatures have increased by how much over the last dozen years?
A) 1 degree Celsius
B) 1 degree Fahrenheit
C) 10 degrees Fahrenheit
D) 10 degrees Celsius
E) 1 degree Kelvin

Accepted Answer

Over the last dozen years, sea-surface temperatures have increased by approximately 1 degree Fahrenheit, which is a commonly reported figure in climate studies.

Question 18

Which of the following is the best answer for a "soft" solution?
A) zoning to prevent building in certain areas
B) installing levees on rivers
C) creating drains on a landslide prone slope
D) installing concrete barriers and riprap along coasts
E) installing catchment basins below debris-flow channels

Accepted Answer

Zoning to prevent building in certain areas is a "soft" solution as it does not involve physical structures or alterations to the natural landscape. Instead, it relies on regulations and policies to prevent potential hazards or disruptions.

Question 19

Why are environmentalism ground rules for the poor different than the "well-off"?
A) They do not live in vulnerable areas by choice.
B) They have chosen to move to vulnerable areas for aesthetics.
C) Small farms control fertile valley bottoms.
D) They find steep hillsides more desirable and beneficial.
E) Natural disasters impact poorer countries more frequently.

Accepted Answer

Poorer individuals often live in vulnerable areas not by choice but due to economic constraints, making them more susceptible to environmental challenges.

Question 20

By doing more to live with and accommodate nature's variable behavior,we could:
A) increase the number of hurricanes.
B) decrease the economic disparity between affluent and poorer nations.
C) enhance property rights.
D) reduce the number of disasters or hazards that affect us.
E) control major events like natural disasters.

Accepted Answer

By living with and accommodating nature's variable behavior, we can take steps to reduce the impact of natural disasters and hazards. This can include measures such as building stronger infrastructure, improving early warning systems, and preserving natural buffers. All of these steps can help to reduce the number of disasters or hazards that affect us.

Quiz 18: The Future: Where Do We Go From Here?

"Hard" solutions to natural disasters do NOT include:

Population increase is susceptible to a cruel feedback loop that:

Which of the following is NOT an effect of global warming on natural disasters?

Which of the following statements gives the best example of an effect that global warming has had on hurricanes specifically?

When determining responsibility for property damage,what is a good rule of thumb to obey?

During industrialization,many mistakes were made by building without considering the effects on nature.Which of the following is NOT one of them?

The warming of the Atlantic sea surface since 1995 has increased:

Which of the following methods of mitigation is important in reducing losses?

Which of the following is the best option for describing mitigation?

Property rights advocates feel homeowners should:

Which of the following options best represents societal attitudes and tendencies toward natural disasters?

Which of the following is the best answer for a "hard" solution?

Since 1988,federal policy has shifted to emphasize:

For poor countries,the reduction of vulnerability to natural hazards depends on:

As a result of climate change,the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased by how much worldwide since 1990?

What was the magnitude of the 2010 Haiti earthquake?

Sea-surface temperatures have increased by how much over the last dozen years?

Which of the following is the best answer for a "soft" solution?

Why are environmentalism ground rules for the poor different than the "well-off"?

By doing more to live with and accommodate nature's variable behavior,we could: