Question 1

Infographic 21.1.

-Refer to Infographic 21.1. What change is depicted in the infographic? What changes to weather are expected when the curve shifts to the right?

Accepted Answer

An increase of a few degrees in the average temperature shifts the entire curve to the right from the previous climate to the new climate. With the new climate, it is likely there will be more years that have the former "extreme" hot weather; it also means the affected area will likely set new records for extreme heat. Less cold weather extremes will be observed.

Question 2

Which of the following phenomena would indicate the presence of climate change?

Accepted Answer

All of these phenomena can be indicators of climate change. Climate change involves significant changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It can lead to deserts expanding (desertification), coral reefs dying due to ocean warming and acidification, changes in winter patterns, and glaciers melting or growing depending on regional climate changes.

Question 3

Long-term patterns or trends of meteorological conditions in a given area refer to its _________.

Accepted Answer

Long-term patterns or trends of meteorological conditions refer to climate. Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, variability refers to changes in weather or climate over time, forecast refers to the prediction of future weather conditions, and albedo refers to the reflectivity of a surface.

Question 4

Since climatologists started keeping records in 1850, the warmest decade globally was:

Accepted Answer

According to data from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, the warmest decade globally recorded since tracking began in 1850 is 2000 to 2010.

Question 5

What changes occurred to Minnesota's climate 12,000 and 6,000 years ago? What effect did these changes have on the ranges for various tree species?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What changes occurred to Minnesota's climate 12,000...

Question 6

Which of the following does NOT directly contribute to sea level rise?

Accepted Answer

Melting of sea ice does not directly contribute to sea level rise because the ice is already displacing its own volume of water, so when it melts, the water level remains the same. However, the melting of sea ice can indirectly contribute to sea level rise by changing ocean currents and disrupting the balance of sea ice and land-based ice in the polar regions.

Question 7

In terms of temperature, what recent global trends have been observed?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In terms of temperature, what recent global...

Question 8

A shift of only a few degrees Fahrenheit in the average global temperature will likely result in more frequent and extreme heat waves. Which of the following choices best describes this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is a result of climate change. Climate change refers to changes in global climate patterns that are mostly caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy and deforestation. These activities release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat from the sun and lead to global warming. As the global temperature increases, it can cause a range of impacts on the climate, including more frequent and extreme heat waves.

Question 9

Global warming is an aspect of

Accepted Answer

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in the Earth's average surface temperature caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. Therefore, it is an aspect of the Earth's climate, which includes long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric conditions. Weather and extreme weather events, on the other hand, refer to short-term atmospheric conditions like temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover in a particular location, and these can be influenced by climate change but are not equivalent to it.

Question 10

Global climate change has had numerous effects on the Earth. Which of the following has been a result of global climate change?

Accepted Answer

Global climate change has led to an increase in insect pest populations as they thrive in warmer temperatures. The rise in temperature has also allowed the spread of infectious tropical diseases to areas that were previously unaffected. The changes in weather patterns have caused uncoupling of community connections and disrupted agriculture and other industries. Additionally, the rise in sea levels due to melting glaciers has caused an increase in coastal flooding. Therefore, all of the given options have been results of global climate change.

Question 11

Which of the following choices is NOT evidence for the recent changes in global climate?

Accepted Answer

A single weather event, like a hurricane, may not be directly linked to global climate change and may simply be a natural occurrence. The other options listed are all evidence of recent changes in global climate.

Question 12

Shifts in the ranges of tree species due to climate change are called ________.

Accepted Answer

The correct term for shifts in the ranges of tree species due to climate change is tree-range migrations.

Question 13

What changes to regional climate have been observed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource's climatology office?

Accepted Answer

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource's climatology office has observed all three changes mentioned in options A, B, and C. Springtime has indeed been arriving a week or two earlier than historical averages, and eight of the state's 20 warmest years have been recorded since 1981. Additionally, the state has experienced three consecutive mild winters, each of which set record highs.

Question 14

The actual temperature on any given day is the _________, while the range of expected values, based on location and time of year, is the __________.

Accepted Answer

Climate refers to long-term patterns of temperature and other weather factors in a certain area, while weather refers to short-term conditions on any given day. The range of temperatures that are expected in a certain location and time of year is part of the climate, but the actual temperature on a specific day is part of the weather. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Question 15

What aspect of the forest fire in Minnesota's great North Woods was unusual for the climate there?

Accepted Answer

The unusual aspect of the forest fire in Minnesota's great North Woods was the timing of the fire being so early in the year. Forest fires in this region typically occur during late summer or early fall, but this fire started in central Minnesota in mid-April.

Question 16

Describe the difference between weather and climate. Provide an example for each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the difference between weather and climate....

Question 17

A variety of factors can warm or cool the planet. Which of the following is a positive forcer (warming effect)?

Accepted Answer

Black soot on snow absorbs more sunlight than the white snow, leading to warming by reducing the albedo effect.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT an aspect of climate?

Accepted Answer

A few warmer days here and there refers more to weather variability rather than a long-term aspect of climate.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?

Accepted Answer

Sulfur oxides are not considered greenhouse gases. They are air pollutants that can contribute to acid rain and respiratory problems, but are not involved in trapping heat in the atmosphere like greenhouse gases.

Question 20

The meteorological conditions in a given place on a given day refer to its _________.

Accepted Answer

Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a specific time, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover. Climate, on the other hand, refers to long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions in a particular region. Habitat and ecosystem refer to the natural environment and living organisms within a particular area. None of these options are the correct answer.

Quiz 21: Climate Change- When the Trees Leave: Scientists Grapple With a Shifting Climate- Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

Infographic 21.1. -Refer to Infographic 21.1. What change is depicted in the infographic? What changes to weather are expected when the curve shifts to the right?