Question 1

Which of the following statements about mitigation of climate change is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Conservation is generally considered a cost-effective way to reduce carbon output, as it often involves using resources more efficiently and reducing waste, which can save money in the long run.

Question 2

How are tree rings used as proxy data to provide an indirect record of past climate conditions?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

Which of the following plants or animals have benefitted from global warming?

Accepted Answer

Black spruce has benefitted from global warming as the increase in temperature has led to longer growing seasons, resulting in larger and more productive trees.

Question 4

Which change is NOT expected as a result of global warming?

Accepted Answer

The North Atlantic Ocean off western Europe is expected to experience a cooling effect due to the potential weakening of the Gulf Stream, despite global warming.

Question 5

Which of the following is the largest reservoir of carbon?

Accepted Answer

The largest reservoir of carbon is in rocks, particularly in the form of carbonate minerals and fossil fuels.

Question 6

Why is it warmer in the northern hemisphere in July than it is in December?

Accepted Answer

In July, the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun which results in the sun's rays hitting the surface at a more direct angle, leading to warmer temperatures. In December, the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun causing the sun's rays to hit the surface at a more oblique angle, resulting in cooler temperatures. The distance between the Earth and the sun does not have a significant impact on this seasonal variation in temperature.

Question 7

What has been the relationship between Earth's temperature and incoming solar radiation during the first decade of the 21st century?

Accepted Answer

During the first decade of the 21st century, solar radiation has been near a minimum due to a decrease in sunspot activity. However, Earth's temperature has continued to rise, indicating that other factors such as greenhouse gas emissions are playing a significant role in driving global warming.

Question 8

Which of the following positive feedback effects is NOT a result of the thawing of the Arctic and glacial melting?

Accepted Answer

Melting permafrost can lead to increased photosynthesis in the Arctic as it releases nutrients that can stimulate plant growth. This is not a positive feedback effect related to climate change.

Question 9

Which of the following is one of the largest human-caused emitters of sulfur dioxide?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is one of...

Question 10

Based on the most likely scenario of future fossil fuel consumption,which part of North America is expected to experience the greatest wintertime rise in temperature by 2080?

Accepted Answer

The Arctic is expected to experience the greatest rise in temperature due to climate change, as it is warming at a rate more than twice the global average, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification.

Question 11

If humanity was able to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in Earth's atmosphere in the next decade,how long would it take for global temperatures to stabilize?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is E because it takes hundreds to thousands of years for the Earth's climate system to fully adjust to changes in greenhouse gas concentrations.

Question 12

Judge the following sentence: The observation that temperatures have risen faster on the continents than in the oceans is incorrect BECAUSE the observation is an artifact of there being more weather stations on land than in the oceans.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Judge the following sentence: The observation that...

Question 13

Which of the following would NOT be likely if global warming continues?

Accepted Answer

Global warming causes melting of glaciers and ice caps, leading to a rise in sea level, not a lowering of mean sea level.

Question 14

Judge the following sentence: Even though water vapor has the greatest effect as a greenhouse gas,it is not normally discussed as one BECAUSE water vapor is completely natural and we have no control over it.

Accepted Answer

The assertion is correct because water vapor does indeed have a significant greenhouse effect, more so than other gases like carbon dioxide or methane. The reason is also correct because water vapor is part of the natural water cycle, and its concentration in the atmosphere is not directly controlled by human activities, unlike emissions of CO2 or other anthropogenic greenhouse gases.

Question 15

Greenhouse gases include all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Argon is not a greenhouse gas. While it is a naturally occurring gas in the atmosphere, it is chemically inert and does not interact with other gases in a way that contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Question 16

What do the vast majority of climatologists who have carefully examined the data agree on regarding human-induced global warming?

Accepted Answer

The vast majority of climatologists who have carefully examined the data agree that human-induced global warming has begun and is increasing. This is supported by numerous scientific studies and observations of changes in temperature, sea level, and other climate indicators.

Question 17

A student was asked the following question.What are the major components of the Milankovitch cycle? The student answered: The important components of the Milankovitch cycle are variations in Earth's orbit from nearly circular to elliptical,changes in the tilt of Earth's axis of rotation,and variations in solar output due to sunspots.How would you rate this answer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A student was asked the following question.What...

Question 18

In a single year,which of the following is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide into Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Coal-fired power plants are the largest emitters of carbon dioxide into the Earth's atmosphere, accounting for about 40% of all emissions.

Question 19

What is the expected outcome on regional precipitation as a result of global warming?

Accepted Answer

This is due to a shift in patterns of atmospheric circulation caused by global warming, which causes increased moisture in the tropical regions and decreased moisture in the mid-latitudes. Studies have shown that this pattern is already occurring and is expected to continue in the future.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT an example of a positive feedback effect from global warming?

Accepted Answer

The melting of Arctic Ocean ice due to warming does not directly cause an increase in ocean volume that leads to further melting. Instead, it reduces the albedo effect, leading to more heat absorption and further warming.

Quiz 11: Climate Change