Question 1

The world's oil reserves are concentrated in a small number of countries.

Accepted Answer

According to the International Energy Agency, nearly two-thirds of the world's proven oil reserves are located in just five countries: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Russia, and Kuwait.

Question 2

Population growth rates are higher in the developing Global South countries than in other places in the world.

Accepted Answer

According to United Nations data, population growth rates are generally higher in the developing countries of the Global South compared to other parts of the world. This is due to a combination of factors such as higher fertility rates, lower levels of access to family planning services and healthcare, and a lack of opportunities for women's education and employment.

Question 3

The 1987 Montreal Protocol limits the production of CFCs in an attempt to stop depletion of the ozone layer.

Accepted Answer

The 1987 Montreal Protocol is an international agreement that aims to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 4

Climate change will likely cause deserts to disappear due to increased rainfall.

Accepted Answer

Climate change is expected to increase desertification in many areas due to higher temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, leading to less rainfall in already dry regions.

Question 5

The production of greenhouse gases has been rising in all areas of the world, including the Global South.

Accepted Answer

The production of greenhouse gases has been rising globally, including in developing countries located in the Global South.

Question 6

Global South countries are less likely to view forests as the "common heritage of mankind" than Global North countries.

Accepted Answer

This is due to the fact that many Global South countries rely heavily on forests for economic development and may view them as a resource to be exploited, rather than a shared global asset. In contrast, Global North countries may have had more success in managing their own forest resources and placing a greater emphasis on conservation and preservation.

Question 7

Scientists still believe that a global "population explosion" is likely to occur in the future.

Accepted Answer

Most current projections by the United Nations and other entities suggest that global population growth will slow down and eventually stabilize this century, with some predicting a peak around 9.7 billion by 2064 before a gradual decline.

Question 8

The metaphor of the tragedy of the commons demonstrates that individual self-interest can have a destructive effect on the interest of the community.

Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons is a situation where individuals act out of self-interest and end up depleting or destroying a shared resource, which ultimately harms the community as a whole. The metaphor demonstrates how individual actions can have unintended negative consequences on the common good.

Question 9

Oil is being discovered at a much faster pace than it is being consumed.

Accepted Answer

Although new oil reserves are being discovered, the rate of consumption is still higher than the rate of new discoveries. This means that oil reserves are being depleted over time.

Question 10

Sustainable development is economic development designed to sustain today's current population, often at the expense of the ability of future generation to meet their development needs.

Accepted Answer

Sustainable development is economic development designed to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It seeks to balance economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Question 11

The increasing demand for water is a growing global problem.

Accepted Answer

The demand for water is increasing globally due to factors such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change.

Question 12

Deforestation is problematic because it contributes to climate change through global warming and threatens the earth's biodiversity.

Accepted Answer

Deforestation results in a reduction of trees, which means less carbon dioxide is absorbed, leading to an increase in greenhouse gases and global warming. Additionally, deforestation destroys habitats and food sources for countless species, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

Question 13

The majority of the world's fish are caught in the Global North waters and consumed in the Global North.

Accepted Answer

The majority of the world's fish are caught in the Global South, and a significant portion is also consumed there, reflecting the importance of fish in the diets of many developing countries and their contribution to global food security.

Question 14

The surge in population growth in the Global South is explained through high birthrates alone.

Accepted Answer

The surge in population growth in the Global South is not solely explained by high birthrates, but also by improvements in healthcare and a decrease in mortality rates.

Question 15

Burning fossil fuels is the major contributing factor to the greenhouse effect, which causes global temperatures to rise.

Accepted Answer

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which traps heat and leads to global warming. This warming effect is known as the greenhouse effect.

Question 16

The Global South agrees that the genetic character of the many species of plants and animals within their borders should be considered a part of the global commons.

Accepted Answer

Many countries in the Global South argue that the genetic resources found within their borders are a form of national wealth and sovereignty, not a common heritage to be shared freely with the rest of the world. This perspective is often rooted in concerns over biopiracy and the desire for equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of these resources.

Question 17

Most energy experts predict that renewable resources will likely account for over half of the world's energy use in the next two decades.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most energy experts predict that renewable resources...

Question 18

Biodiversity includes genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity is composed of these three components - genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Question 19

OPEC has used its control over oil production as an instrument of coercive diplomacy to influence politics in the Middle East.

Accepted Answer

OPEC has used its control over oil production to influence politics, particularly in the Middle East. For example, in the 1970s, OPEC imposed an oil embargo on countries that supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War, which had a significant impact on the global economy and demonstrated OPEC's ability to use oil as a political weapon.

Question 20

India is expected to replace China as the world's most populous country in the next few decades.

Accepted Answer

According to United Nations population projections, India is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country by 2027.

Quiz 12: Global Ecological Trends and the Transformation of World Politics