ES 200 (Easy)
A major source of climate change assessments is the IPCC whose full name is: a. International Policy Committee on Climate b. Intercontinental Panel on Climate Crises c. Interglobal Police for Climate Causes d. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change e. None of the above
d
Banded-iron formations are: A) Green rocks formed during the Archean Eon found at a single location in North Carolina where iron was mined in the 1800's, founding the town of Rocky Mount. B) Rocks with alternating red and grey bands of oxidized and reduced forms of iron that formed 3.2 to 2.3 Ga, providing evidence for early evolution of aerobic photosynthesis, from which oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere as a waste product. C) Are found around the world, including northern Michigan, supporting the development of iron mining economies. D) Both B and C.
d
Which of the following are key sources of uncertainty in the social cost of carbon? a) Correct discount rate b) Value of a statistical life c) Whether to count costs incurred everywhere or just in the US d) All of the above
d
True/false: According to research from Nielsen, approximately a quarter of global consumers surveyed, say that they would be willing to pay more for goods and services from socially responsible companies.
f
True/false: All governments evaluate climate policies based on the costs to their own citizens.
f
True/false: In stage 2 of corporate sustainability as defined by the Harvard Business Review, companies seek to enhance the sustainability only of the portions of the value chain that they control.
f
True/false: Over the past decade, China has emitted the most carbon dioxide per person of any country.
f
True/false: Rebound effects increase the effectiveness of policies that encourage increased energy efficiency.
f
True/false: Socially responsible companies generally do not consider the impacts of business decisions on shareholders and investors, because they are not considered primary stakeholders.
f
True/false: According to Jared Diamond, the presence of hostile neighbors and engagement in warfare have been one of the key factors in whether a society survives or collapses when facing ecological crisis.
t
Oxygen isotopes can be used to estimate past temperatures. t/f
t
Thanksgiving is on Thursday. t/f
t
Which of the following best represents Jared Diamond's argument in the prologue of his book Collapse? 1. Historically, societies that have severely degraded their environments have always collapsed. 2. Many societal collapses have been caused by the combined effects of environmental degradation and natural shifts in climate. 3. While there are multiple causes of societal collapses, historically, environmental degradation has always been a major factor. 4. Even the most technologically advanced societies are doomed to collapse because of environmental degradation.
2
Warming of 1 degree C relative to pre‐industrial levels due to human activities 1) Is likely to occur in the next 12 - 24 years 2) Is nearly certain to occur in the next 12 - 24 years 3) Has already occurred
3
T/F: Radiative forcing agents that have negative values in Wm-2 would tend to lower temperatures on Earth.
T
Order greenhouse gases by radiative forcing
CO2>CH4>Halocarbons>N2O
"Cahokia" is the name of the largest urban center of the Mississippian Culture which declined after 1250 AD due to natural resources depletion A) True B) False
a
Studies have shown that in North Carolina, sea level has risen about 3 m over the last ~2,500 y. A) True B) False
a
Temperature and precipitation are the two major drivers of global biome distribution. A) True B) False
a
T/F: The urban heat island effect has contributed to the largest rise in global temperature.
F
Compared to a carbon tax, the advantages of "cap and trade" include a. Greater certainty about achieving a targeted reduction in carbon emissions b. More predictable and stable costs for businesses with carbon emissions c. Encourages and rewards businesses that find less expensive ways to reduce emissions d. All of the above
a
Ecosystem resilience is: a. The capacity to resist change due to external forcing b. The effect of ecosystems on external forcing factors c. Number of species in an ecosystem
a
Fisheries and agricultural systems are projected to experience widespread declines in yield as we approach the year 2100. a. True b. False
a
Flexibility mechanisms that allow emissions trading and offsets are intended to reduce the costs of mitigating climate change. a. True b. False
a
How does the discount rate affect the social cost of carbon? a. The discount rate determines how much weight is placed on the future impacts of climate change relative to the present costs of mitigating climate change b. The discount rate is applied to the price of carbon rich fossil fuels, and thus determines the cost of those fuels to society c. The discount rate is used to calculate the ratio of private benefits to public costs of carbon emissions d. None of the above
a
Jared Diamond finds that historically, relations with neighboring civilizations (i.e. whether they were hostile neighbors or trade partners) were important for whether or not a civilization collapsed. a. True b. False
a
Large-scale ocean currents serve to distribute heat from the equator towards the poles, and bring nutrients at depth to the surface that fosters marine productivity a. True b. False
a
Managed ecosystems are deliberately manipulated by people to provide specific ecosystems services, and are usually of lower complexity and not in equilibrium with the physical environment/associated ecosystems compared to natural ecosystems a. True b. False
a
Of the total annual global methane emissions of 558 Tg CH4 y-1: a. Agriculture is the largest emission at 188 Tg CH4 y-1, followed by wetlands at 167 Tg CH4 y-1 . b. Wetlands are the largest emission at 345 Tg CH4 y-1, followed by fossil fuel burning at 300 Tg CH4 y-1. c. Wetlands are the smallest emission at 34 Tg CH4 y-1. d. Geologic sources (volcanoes, earthquakes) are the largest emission at 445 Tg CH4 y-1
a
One of the most important coastal ecosystem services is the protection of people, property and economic value. a. True b. False
a
Oxygen minimum zones are a natural phenomenon, but may be getting worse due to rising temperature and nutrient overload from pollution a. True b. False
a
Soil organic carbon (SOC), is the largest pool of C in terrestrial ecosystems, with turnover times from 10s to 1,000s of years. a. True b. False
a
Some regions of the US will initially benefit from climate change. a. True b. False
a
The Greenhouse Effect is caused by certain gases in the atmosphere absorbing infrared radiation from the earth and re-emitting it in all directions, including back toward earth. a. True b. False
a
The Hadean, Archean, and Proterozoic Eons comprise what fraction of Earth's history: a) 7/8; b) 1/2; c) 4/5; d) 1/3
a
The Keeling curve shows the concentration of ________________ in the atmosphere over time. a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. nitrous oxide d. water vapor e. ozone
a
The fraction of global human population that lives along a coast is: a. 1/3 b. ¾ c. 7/8
a
The major climate change drivers that threaten coastal ecosystems include: a. temperature, ocean acidification, waves, storms, and human modification b. tropospheric ozone and acid rain c. falling sea level
a
The term "boreal refugia" refers to unique ecosystems at low latitudes/high elevations, such as the spruce-fir forests in the mountains of North Carolina, characterized by species that now typically live at much higher latitudes/cooler climates, that are leftovers from the last glacial maximum during the Quaternary Period. Such ecosystems are threatened by continued climate change. a. True b. False
a
Throughout the Phanerozoic there has been: a) close connection between geophysical processes, climate and life on Earth b) almost no correlation between the evolution of Life on Earth and climate c) mostly a stable climate that hasn't fluctuated too much over the past 500 My d) dimming of the Sun that caused the Ice Age
a
Tundra and permafrost ecosystems: a. contain 1700 Pg C which is highly vulnerable to climate change b. contain no ice at the current time c. are expanding in area in response to climate change
a
Tundra contains some of the coldest ecosystems on Earth A) True B) False
a
What is the most diverse biome on Earth A) Tropical wet forests B) Temperate forests C) Coastal wetlands D) Deserts
a
Which of the following could be greenwashing? a) Appealing to stakeholders by presenting an unfounded environmentally responsible image b) Actions taken in stage 1 of corporate sustainability, as defined by the Harvard Business Review c) Efforts to "wash" an entire value chain by promoting sustainability at all stages d) All of the above.
a
Which of the following does NOT help mitigate climate change? a. Conversion of forests to palm oil plantations for bioenergy production b. Using better logging practices to harvest timber c. Planting trees in urban areas and farms d. Reforestation of unproductive lands with fast-growing species
a
Which of the following include major greenhouse gases? a. water, methane, nitrous oxide b. oxygen, nitrogen, helium c. ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite d. carbon, chlorine, and bromine e. None of the above
a
A special report released by the IPCC this year, states that 2030 is the year by which if we make drastic reductions in carbon emissions: a. Mean global temperature will immediately respond and attain the target value (< 1.5 oC warming relative to 20th Century ) b. Mean global temperature overshoots target, but will level out or decline through time c. Mean global temperature will continue to rise indefinitely no matter what we do
b
Although climate change attribution science is still young, yield declines in agricultural production systems have been observed/are projected to get worse due to: a. Rising atmospheric CO2 levels, which decrease water use efficiency b. Higher day/night temperatures, increasing frequency/severity of drought, more extreme events such as hurricanes and flooding, air pollutants such as tropospheric ozone c. Degradation of the genetic diversity of most crop species d. Running out of nitrogen-based fertilizer
b
Boreal forests occur at high latitudes in the southern hemisphere. a. True b. False
b
Carbon capture and storage technologies offer relatively low cost ways to mitigate climate change. a. True b. False
b
Commercially important marine species such as flounder and lobster have: a. shown remarkable resistance to the effects of climate change b. responded to warming oceans by moving their ranges to higher latitudes, with socioeconomic consequences c. increased in body size up to 17 fold because they like warm water
b
Dryland ecosystems are highly resilient and have not shown any effects of climate change. a. True b. False
b
Elevated CO2 tends to decrease forest productivity and tropospheric O3 enhances it a. True b. False
b
Matthew Booker suggested several ways that human society can adapt to climate change. Which of the following does he NOT recommend? a) Changing our tastes b) Nomadism c) Biomimicry
b
North Carolina has a very low risk of sea level rise and climate change affecting human and natural systems along the coast a. True b. False
b
Over the last 540 My, concentrations of atmospheric O2 and CO2, respectively, were: a) as high as 10 % and 1,000 ppm b) as high as 32 % and 6,000 ppm c) as low as 0 % and 100 ppm d) constant at 21.5 % and 410 ppm
b
Sea level can be expected to rise the same amount all along the US East Coast. a. True b. False
b
The Anthropocene is: a) the time 2.5 Ma when early hominids arose b) the latest geologic epoch in which human activities are beginning to affect geophysical, biological, and climatic functioning of Earth c) the most fun party on campus! (should we be careful about how much fun we have?)
b
The acronym FACE stands for: a. Foggy And Confusing Evidence b. Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment c. Forestry Agriculture Coping Experiments
b
The definition of "biome" is: a. The assemblage of plants, microbes, and animal lifeforms of a region interacting with the physical environment b. The world's major biological communities, classified according to the predominant vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment c. The alpha diversity of the oceans, stratified by depth d. None of the above
b
The elements that comprise Life on Earth ultimately came from: a) atmospheric reactions; b) nuclear fusion in stars; c) the Big Bang
b
To calculate the forest C budget, we need to know the concentration of carbon (C) in plant biomass. This varies by tissue type and growing conditions, but is generally considered to be about 20 %. a. True b. False
b
Under the UNFCCC, what is meant by "common but differentiated responsibilities"? a. All sectors of the economy have a common responsibility to address climate change by reducing emissions of different greenhouse gases b. All countries have a responsibility to prevent climate change, but their contributions are expected to vary based on their historical roles and current circumstances c. All countries should invest equally in mitigating climate change, but they will make their investments in different mitigation options d. Everyone benefits from mitigation of climate change, but individuals bear the costs
b
Which of the following are not typically primary stakeholders? a) Customers b) Trade associations c) Employees d) Investors
b
Which of the following characterize tundra and permafrost ecosystem responses to global warming? a. Expansion of permafrost to lower latitudes, contraction of woody shrubs dominated ecosystems, decrease in "soil active layer" due to deeper freezing that protects rather insignificant C reserves (~12 Pg C), warming much slower than lower latitudes b. Contraction of permafrost and tundra ecosystems to higher latitudes due to expansion of woody shrub dominated ecosystems, increasing depth of thaw of permafrost increasing the "soil active layer" increasing vulnerability of huge C stores (~1700 Pg C), warming much faster than lower latitudes c. Expansion of sea ice, favoring polar bear populations by increasing seal hunting opportunities d. None of the above
b
Which of the following is not a reason that people discount the future? a) People are impatient and would rather not have to wait to consume goods and services b) People care deeply about the well‐being of their grandchildren and future descendants c) The sooner people can invest, the more they will make on their investments d) All of the above.
b
Human society has had to adapt to climate change in the past. Compared to historical conditions, what is one advantage that we have for adapting to future climate change? a) Larger human population b) Concentrated in cities with well‐established infrastructure c) Technology
c
In the more northern regions of the US and Canada, the impacts of global climate change are predicted to include which of the following? a) More damages due to hurricanes b) Lower crops yields c) Higher rates of violent and property crime d) All of the above
c
Sea level is expected to rise over the next 100 years. If the world experienced a Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) of 8.5, how much is sea level estimated to rise by the year 2100? a. 0 m b. 0.3 m c. 1 m d. 2 m e. 3 m
c
The Durham company that makes the ELF is an example of which stage of sustainability, as defined by the Harvard Business Review? a) Stage 1, because they have effectively reduced the total material inputs required to produce a vehicle b) Stage 2, because they minimize the environmental impact of their entire value chain, including use by consumers c) Stage 3, because they have designed what some studies show to be the most efficient form of transportation d) Stage 4, because they have piloted a new business model that allows small businesses to compete in the market for more environmentally friendly transportation
c
The history of wine is a good example of how humans adapt to climate change by a. Biomimicry b. Nomadism c. Changing our tastes d. All of the above
c
The low and high values, respectively, for atmospheric CO2 concentration during the Phanerozoic Eon were: a. 800 and 4,000 ppb b. 410 and 1,000 ppb c. 230 and 6,000 ppm d. 2,300 and 60,000 ppm
c
The oceans are a major component of Earth's climate system, and: a. are not being affected by climate change b. change easily, but also change back to original conditions easily c. are experiencing big changes in temperature, dissolved CO2, and hypoxia/anoxia that will persist for a long time
c
Which of the following are ways that the United States is currently contributing to mitigation of global climate change? a) The federal government is regulating emissions from coal power plants through the Clean Power Plan. b) The governors of nearly all 50 states have pledged to follow the Paris Accord. c) Over 250 mayors have committed to reducing emissions in their cities by signing onto the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda. d) All of the above
c
Which of the following is not a principle of the UNFCCC: a) Right to sustainable development b) Promotion of open economic systems c) Wait for conclusive scientific evidence before taking policy action d) Common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities
c
Which of the following is not one of the areas covered by the B Impact Assessment a) Environment b) Workers c) Profit d) Customers
c
Which of the following is not one of the five stages of innovation described by the Harvard Business Review? a) Create next practice platforms b) Make value chains sustainable c) Minimize the cost of compliance d) All of the above
c
Which of the following required developed countries (such as Japan) to reduce and maintain their greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels? a) IPCC b) UNFCCC c) Kyoto Protocol d) Paris Accord
c
Which of these four choices does NOT make up the basis for the Holdridge Life Zones System A) Temperature B) Precipitation C) Dominant Vegetation D) Evapotranspiration
c
"Ecosystem resilience" is: a. The capacity of ecosystems to resist change due to external forcing b. The tendency of the ecosystem to remain unchanged despite temporal variation in the environment c. Neither "a" nor "b" d. Both "a" and "b"
d
El Nino events occur periodically when the winds blowing westward across the ocean have become weaker or changed direction. When these events occur the water off the west coast of South America becomes _______________. a. enriched in 18O b. fresher c. saltier d. colder e. warmer
d
Global warming is expected to have which of the following effects on the cultivation of grapes: a. Grape growers will irrigate vineyards in order to reduce the stress of higher temperatures b. Grape growing regions will shift towards the poles and towards higher elevations c. Grape cultivation will become more risky because of more unpredictable variation in weather d. All of the above
d
IPCC projections of change in marine fisheries catch potential for the period 2051- 2060 compared to 2001-2010 under a moderate-to-high warming scenario show: a. Virtually no change b. 21 to 50 % declines at equatorial and high southern latitudes c. 50 to 100 % increases at high northern latitudes d. both B and C
d
In his essay, Roy Scranton draws which of the following parallels between Baghdad after the US invasion and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina? a) Crippled infrastructure b) De facto martial law c) Failure of planning d) All of the above
d
In terms of biophysical climate feedbacks, comparing forests to grasslands: a. Forests have greater evaporation (latent heat transfer) and smaller transmitted heat (sensible heat), and therefore cool the landscape b. Forests absorb more solar energy (lower albedo) due to their darker color c. Forests warm the landscape more than grasslands due to lower evaporation (latent heat transfer) d. A and B
d
Insurance companies face liabilities or risks due to a) Loss of property from climate related events such as floods and storms; b) Successful lawsuits against companies held responsible for climate change; c) Stranded assets or loss of value of carbon-intensive infrastructure; d) All of the above.
d
The business case for sustainability includes which of the following arguments: a. Attracts investors by lowering risks b. Motivates employees who share company values c. Builds consumer loyalty 11 d. All of the above
d
The energy intensity of the US economy a) Is among the highest in the world b) Is among the lowest in the world c) Has increased in the past two decades d) Has decreased in the past two decades
d
The term "Snowball Earth" refers to: a. Five episodes of global glaciation (ice from equator to poles) that occurred during the Cryogenian Period, 2.3 Ga, 750 to 580 Ma b. Ancient glacial periods that lasted about 10 My each c. Glaciations during which mean global temperature was -50 oC! d. All of the above
d
The universe came into to existence in a cataclysmic explosion called the Big Bang about: a) 10 Ma; b) 500 Ma; c) 4.5 Ga; d) 13.7 Ga
d
Which of the following are true of certified B corporations? a) They use their certification to build credibility and trust among their workers, customers, suppliers, and community b) They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, and community; c) They have been assessed and met defined criteria in terms of their impacts on their workers, customers, suppliers, and community d) All of the above
d
Which of the following calls for countries to develop and report their own "nationally determined contributions" to climate change? a) IPCC b) UNFCCC c) Kyoto Protocol d) Paris Accord
d
Which of the following statements about a carbon tax is true? a) A carbon tax is an effective but expensive way to meet climate mitigation goals. b) A carbon tax has been tried in the US and found ineffective. c) A carbon tax is the only way that governments can reduce carbon emissions from the private sector. d) None of the above.
d
Which statement is true? a. The ocean water column is poorly stratified, that is it is well mixed due to the action of wind, waves and currents. b. The bottom layer of the deep ocean where nutrients accumulate is called the euphotic zone. c. Phytoplankton productivity is maximized in deep water due to high nutrients. d. The ocean water column is well-stratified, with highest temperature and light at the surface (~ 100 m), and nutrient concentrations and salinity increasing with depth.
d
Climate forcing agents are things that can cause Earth's temperature change. Some forcing agents cause Earth to warm by absorbing radiation and re-emitting it. Other forcing agents cause Earth's temperature to cool. Which of the following cause Earth's temperature to cool when they are in the atmosphere? a. Sulfate b. Mineral dust in air c. Nitrate d. Volcanic particles ejected during eruptions e. All of the above
e
Collective action problems can be solved by free riding. t/f
f
Cropland is the major agricultural land use globally today. t/f
f
Global warming will likely cause More hurricanes to occur. t/f
f
Greenhouse gases absorb visible light primarily. t/f
f
Human civilization developed during a period of exceptional variability in the world's climate (the Holocene epoch). a. True b. False
f
Large volcanic eruptions warm climate because of the hot lava they produce. t/f
f
Projections of future climate change are certain t/f
f
The Holocene epoch is when glaciers occurred. t/f
f
The Keeling curve shows the increase in N2O over time. t/f
f
The UNFCCC is guided by the principle that all countries must contribute equally to climate change mitigation. t/f
f
The US is the only country that is not a member of the Kyoto Protocol. t/f
f
The earth is in energy balance, where the energy coming in equals the energy going out. t/f
f
The greenhouse gas with the largest Global Warming Potential (GWP) is carbon dioxide. t/f
f
Coal is the fuel that releases the most CO2 into the atmosphere. t/f
t
True/false: According to research from Nielsen, approximately two‐thirds of global respondents say that they would be willing to pay extra for products and services from companies who are committed to positive social and environmental impact.
t
Global warming potential (GWP) is a way to rank the radiation absorbing power of a greenhouse gas. Which of the following gases has the lowest GWP value? a. CO2 b. CH4 c. N2O d. Halocarbons e. Ozone
a
How have climate models shown that human activities have caused global average temperature to rise? a. Model results only match observations when human impacts, such as greenhouse gas concentrations, are included. b. Model results only match observations when human impacts, such as greenhouse gas concentrations, are excluded. c. Model results have not matched observations under any scenario. d. Variability in model results is too large to come to any conclusion about global warming at this time. e. None of the above are correct
a
Human society has had to adapt to climate change in the past. Compared to historical conditions, what is one advantage that we have for adapting to future climate change? a) Technology b) Larger human population c) Population concentrated in cities with well‐established infrastructure d) Population concentrated on the coasts with more moderate climate
a
Leslie Holdridge, American botanist and climatologist, published a paper in 1947 on determination of world plant formations from simple climatic data. A) True B) False
a
The Stefan Boltzman Law says that: a. warmer bodies give off more radiation (more Wm-2) than colder bodies. b. shiny bodies reflect more light than dull bodies c. the wavelength of energy emitted from a body is proportional to its wavelength. d. temperature gets colder as the distance from the earth's surface increases e. colder ocean water holds less 16O
a
The U.S. uses oil or petroleum as its largest source of energy. In China, the largest energy source is: a. coal b. oil or petroleum c. natural gas d. cement manufacturing e. burning of wood
a
The average of temperature and precipitation over a 30-year period is used to define a region's: a. Climate b. Weather c. Global Warming Potential d. Radiative Forcing e. Climate sensitivity parameter
a
Methane concentrations in the atmosphere have risen by 15% since 1980. Methane is formed when bacteria "eat" or decompose organic matter under anaerobic conditions. In addition to organic carbon, they need ___________ to form methane. a. CH4 b. CO2 c. N2O d. CCl4 e. O2
b
The Seuss Effect is used to explain why fossil fuels are the major source responsible for rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. The Seuss Effect shows that the levels of _________ are decreasing due to dilution of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels which contain no ___________. [Same answer for both blanks] a. 18O b. 2H c. O3 d. 14C e. CH4
d
T/F: Global warming will likely cause more hurricanes to occur.
f
Although not officially recognized by international scientific societies responsible for naming conventions of Earth's geologic history, many scientists think we are living in a new geologic epoch called the "Anthropocene" because the cumulative impact of human activities on the planet rivals that of geologic forces. A) True B) False
a
An example of an ecological threshold (or tipping point) might be: A) The amount of water-column phosphorous that causes a lake to transition from a clearwater state to a turbid state due to high algal populations thriving on the nutrients. B) The height at which grass grows too tall for the dominant herbivores to eat it. C) The change in species composition with the change in elevation going up a high mountain.
a
Climate is the major determinant of global biome distribution. A) True B) False
a
Climatic/atmospheric and non-climatic factors affecting agriculture include: 1) temperature, carbon dioxide, precipitation and ozone, and 2) soil fertility, irrigation/fertilization, demography, economics, and socio-politics. A) True B) False
a
Direct evidence of climate change includes measurements of rising global temperature and melting of the cryosphere, whereas indirect (independent) evidence is change in ecosystems properties, such as latitudinal shifts in plant and animal distributions. A) True B) False
a
Drivers of coastal change include both human- and climate-related factors, such as socio-economic development, sediment delivery (or its interruption), hypoxia, relative sea level rise, and storms. A) True B) False
a
Of the RCP scenarios shown below, which has the highest emissions associated with it? a. RCP 8.5 b. RCP 6 c. RCP 5.0 d. RCP 4.5 e. RCP 2.6
a
Plant C concentration is typically considered 50 % of dry weight for calculating C budgets at the ecosystem or global scales, but can vary from the low 40s (%) to the low 50s (%). A) True B) False
a
Temperature anomalies are used to summarize temperature data from around the world. Anomalies are calculated for individual weather stations on a given day by subtracting the temperature on that day from: a. a baseline of average temperature determined over a number of years from the same station. b. a set of data where the extreme values have been eliminated because they differ too much from the average value. c. the average global temperature on that day. d. a temperature value determined using a proxy for the weather station. e. None of the above
a
The Andromeda Galaxy is: A) The sister galaxy to the Milky Way (our galaxy), 2.3 million light years away and the furthest object visible to the naked eye. B) A type of candy bar that is way better than Milky Way candy bars. C) 10 light years distant and full of billions of individual stars easily resolvable from Earth.
a
The US DOE Spruce Project is an experiment that is looking at the effects of atmospheric CO2 (ambient up to 900 ppm) and temperature (ambient up to +9 oC) on all aspects of forest C cycling in boreal spruce forests, especially soil processes. A) True B) False
a
The city of Ur and modern Syria both suffered societal collapses for multiple reasons. Which of the following was not one of those reasons: a) Failure to modernize the production of wheat b) Conflict with neighboring countries c) Dry climate and constant aridity d) Exceptionally bad droughts
a
The current level of CO2 in the atmosphere is approximately 400 ppm. To avoid long-term global warming, we should keep CO2 levels below: a. 550 ppm b. 700 ppm c. 900 ppm d. 1000 ppm e. 1250 ppm
a
The first US copper boom occurred in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (1840-1965) and holds lessons for today's society regarding environmental sustainability, human diversity and social justice, and environmental legacies left to future generations. A) True B) False
a
The mountain pine beetle is an example of: A) A native insect species that is expanding its range to higher latitudes due to the warming climate, with potential to devastate forests across northern Canada that were previously protected by cold winters. B) An introduced invasive pest that is devastating forests in western North Carolina because it has no natural predators in North America. C) An introduced beetle that is actually turning out to be good for the environment because it eats the unwanted hemlock wooly adelgid that is devastating hemlock trees along the US East Coast. D) A species of pine beetle native to China that is ravaging forests across Europe.
a
The sun emits radiation in the visible range while the Earth emits radiation in the infrared range. This is because: a. the sun is hotter than the Earth b. the sun is made of gas which causes the sun to emit its radiation in the visible range c. the dark surface of the earth absorbs all visible light so it can't irradiate anything we can see. d. Air pressure on the earth is too great for visible light to be emitted. It essentially pushes the light back into the earth. e. None of the above
a
Wetlands: A) Comprise only 2-3 % of the land area, but store 18-30 % of global soil organic C for 1,000s y B) Comprise 20-30 % of the land area, but store 3-8 % of global soil organic C for 10s of y C) Comprise 50 % of the land surface, and store 50 % of global soil organic C for 1,000s y D) Comprise 20-30 % of the land surface, but do not store any soil organic C
a
Where in the atmosphere are the greenhouse gases found? a. Troposphere (approximately 0-6 miles) b. Stratosphere (6-30 miles) c. Mesosphere (30-55 miles) d. Thermosphere (55-87 miles) e. None of the above
a
Which of the following are major greenhouse gases? a. water, methane, nitrous oxide b. oxygen, nitrogen, helium c. ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite d. carbon, chlorine, and bromine e. None of the above
a
Which statement best describes boreal forests? A) Cold, wet, boggy ecosystems that have accumulated C for millennia, especially in deep organic soils, that is highly vulnerable to high latitude warming/drying/fire, causing massive emission of CH4 and CO2, further forcing the climate system. B) Warm and dry sub-tropical forests that are prone to periodic droughts, and increased fire activity from increase slash and burn agriculture among the rural poor, representing large CO2 emissions. C) Temperate forests of central Asia that are experiencing enhanced NPP due to rising atmospheric CO2, increasing the global forest C sink by 27 % and thereby providing a negative feedback to global warming. D) None of the above.
a
Which term is defined as follows: "actions taken to cut net emissions of greenhouse gases to reduce climate change." a) Mitigation b) Adaptation c) Neither
a
The acronym FACE stands for: A) Forced-Air Chilling Experiment B) Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment C) Fixed-Assimilation of Carbon Energy D) Foliage Area Compensation Excitation
b
The Crab Nebula is: A) A really good seafood restaurant in downtown Raleigh. B) A supernova in the constellation Taurus observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054 AD. C) A supernova in the constellation Orion that was observed by U.S astronomers in 1986.
b
As the Earth cooled over time, glaciers formed and advanced into the U.S. from Canada. This occurred during the ________________ epoch. a. Eocene b. Pleistocene c. Holocene d. Aridocene e. Glacialocene
b
Climate models have been developed to better understand Earth's climate system. There are three major groups of models. One group of models uses computations of the various biogeochemical cycles that include the carbon cycle, sulphur cycle, and ozone. This group is best for simulating past and future climates and are the state of the art climate models. The name for this group of models is: a. Atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (AOGCM) b. Earth System Models (ESM) c. Earth System Models of Intermediate Complexity (EMIC) d. Global climate models of comprehensive scale (GCCS) e. General radiative forcing model for all Earth systems (GRFS)
b
Converting natural ecosystems to agriculture, and the associated soil disturbance that goes along with it, typically increases soil organic C of the ecosystem substantially. A) True B) False
b
Energy balance models have shown that the amount of incoming energy the Earth receives from the sun is slightly greater than the amount of energy re-emitted back into space. As a result the Earth is warming. Where is most of the excess energy being stored? a. Atmosphere b. Ocean c. Land d. Ice e. Stratosphere
b
Extensive experimentation has shown that elevated atmospheric CO2 tends to decrease forest productivity, whereas high tropospheric O3 increases it. A) True B) False
b
If a certain greenhouse gas has a radiative forcing value of 1 Wm-2, how much of a temperature change could be attributed to this? a. Rise of 4.5 C b. Rise of 0.4 to 0.8 C c. Rise of 8.5 C d. Decrease of 2 C e. Decrease of 1 C.
b
In the forest C cycle, ephemeral tree tissues: A) Are long-lived, including branches, coarse roots, stems, and stumps, and are shed and decompose in the soil on the time scale of years to decades B) Are short-lived, including foliage and fine roots, and are shed and decompose in the soil on an annual time scale. C) Are fed upon by exotic invasive insect pests which causes them to disappear quickly. D) Refers to all tree biomass in tropical ecosystems, which decomposes quickly due to the warm climate.
b
Matthew Booker suggested several ways that human society can respond to climate change. Which of the following does he not recommend? a) Protecting ecosystem services b) Nomadism c) Biomimicry d) Adopting polyculture
b
Ocean acidification refers to the process whereby the pH of ocean water decreases (concentration of hydrogen ions increases (e.g. becomes more acidic)) due to the decomposition of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the euphotic zone. A) True B) False
b
Pre-Cambrian time: A) Comprises the Archean Eon, representing ½ of Earth's entire geologic history. B) Comprises the Archean, Hadean and Proterozoic Eons, about 4 Gy in duration, representing 7/8 of Earth's geologic history. C) Comprises all time after the Cambrian Explosion, which is 1/5 of the total.
b
Protection of human communities from extreme sea level, storm surges, flooding, etc., is an important service provided by coastal ecosystems, which may also simultaneously act to mitigate climate change and increase resilience to future hazards. What are the mechanisms by which this protection is achieved? A) Evapotranspiration of flood waters, enhanced albedo, coastal hypoxia. B) Energy dissipation/wave attenuation, C uptake/burial, sediment accretion/stabilization, vegetative growth. C) Beach re-nourishment, construction of jetties and sea walls, building houses on the beach.
b
Publication of results from experimentation in the peer-reviewed scientific literature is an optional part of the scientific method, that serves little purpose other than to make scientists rich and famous. A) True B) False
b
Sea level is expected to rise over the next 100 years. If the world experienced an RCP of 4.5, how much would sea level rise by the year 2100? a. 0 m b. 0.5 m c. 0.8 m d. 1 m e. 2 m
b
Stellar fusion is: A) The coming together of two different stars to produce multiple new "baby" stars by the process of stellar procreation. B) The fusion of atomic nuclei under great temperature and pressure inside massive stars that gives rise to heavier elements necessary for Life on Earth such as Ca, Mn, Zn, and Mg (up to Fe). C) The mutual gravitational attraction of billions of stars to form new galaxies.
b
The Cenozoic Era was the first era of the Phanerozoic Eon, 540-248 Ma, and comprised of the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian Periods. A) True B) False
b
The Kelvin scale is used to report temperatures in some scientific studies. If a body had a temperature of 273 K, what is its temperature in degrees Celsius (or centigrade)? a. -20 oC b. 0 oC c. 20 oC d. 100 oC e. 200 oC
b
The biological pump can best be described as: A) CO2 being forced to great depths of the ocean water column by passage of high pressure weather systems. B) Carbon and nutrient fluxes to great depths of the ocean water column, and eventual burial in sea floor sediments, due to "leakage" of marine food webs of the euphotic zone, based on photosynthesis by phytoplankton, consumption by zooplankton, and higher trophic levels. C) CO2 flux from the ocean surface layer, called the euphotic zone, to the atmosphere due to the decomposition of fish, marine mammals, and other organisms increasing the water column CO2 concentration. D) A large diesel-powered machine used to pump ocean storm surge flooding back into the sea from coastal cities due to large storms and sea level rise.
b
The global heating imbalance is: A) Temporal variation in solar output which causes the Earth to receive more solar energy during summer than in winter. B) Low latitudes receiving more solar radiation than high latitudes, due to shorter path length through the atmosphere and more direct angle of incidence, which drives atmospheric and ocean circulation. C) Caused by oceans absorbing more solar radiation than the land surface, which creates land and sea breezes. D) Greater absorption of solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere, heating it from top to bottom.
b
The isotopes of oxygen differ in the number of _____________ in their nucleus. a. Protons b. Neutrons c. Electrons d. Ions e. Photons
b
The major way we use petroleum for our energy needs is: a. electricity production b. transportation c. residential heating d. industrial heating e. industrial production
b
The phrase "Planet Earth Quo Vadis?" basically means: A) Earth is a small blue planet floating in an endless sea of dark nothingness. B) Humans are at a crossroads between choosing to use science and a sense of justice to engineer a sustainable, equitable future or to continue mining the environment unsustainably. C) We are all doomed to certain catastrophic failure of Earth's life sustaining processes by the year 2030.
b
What is the definition of the "Anthropocene"? a) The geological time period when humans first evolved b) The current geological time period, characterized by planetary‐scale impacts of human activities c) The unprecedented die‐off of arthropods due to climate change d) None of the above
b
Which of the following is not one of the five stages of innovation described by the HBR article? a) Compliance as opportunity b) Improve supply chains efficiency c) Design sustainable products and services d) Develop new business models
b
Which of the following would NOT reduce your personal contribution to climate change? a) Upgrading to more efficient light bulbs in your home b) Consuming more palm oil c) Eating a vegetarian diet d) Buying wood products that are certified to come from well-managed forests
b
Which statement best describes savannas/grasslands, and their responses to climate change? A) Savannas (tropics) and grasslands (temperate zone) occupy 70 % of the land surface, and have so far shown little-to-no response to changing climatic conditions. B) They occupy about 30 % of the land surface and it appears are shifting towards higher abundance of trees due to changing fire regimes (e.g. fire is becoming less frequent). C) Savannas and grasslands occupy about 50 % of the land surface and are showing signs of decreased NPP due to "equatorial cooling" under climate change. D) None of the above.
b
Which term is defined as follows: "actions taken to help cope with changing climate conditions and impacts." a) Mitigation b) Adaptation c) Neither
b
According to Dr. Booker, what is the best predictor of the future? a) Models that have been reviewed and approved by the IPCC b) Futurologists c) History d) None of the above
c
According to a recent IPCC report, society has until what year to make major changes to our energy production systems to avoid catastrophic climate change: a) 2100; b) 2050; c) 2030; d) 2025
c
B corps are evaluated based on their impacts on a. Their stated sustainability objectives b. The life cycle of their products c. All of their stakeholders d. Climate change mitigation and adaptation
c
Carbon asset risk refers to which of the following? a. Carbon stored in the biosphere and fossil fuels is both an asset and a risk to global climate stability. b. Carbon stocks that we set-aside in order to mitigate climate change may be emitted to the atmosphere due to fires or other accidents. 12 c. Stocks of fossil fuels will lose financial value due to climate change regulation and development of renewable energy. d. None of the above
c
Which of the following are ways that grape growers can respond quickly to warmer temperatures? a) Plant cover crops b) Plant new varieties c) Harvest at night or at dawn d) All of the above
c
Coal swamp forest refers to: A) Forests that formed during the Cretaceous Period 145-66 Ma, composed of pines and oak trees from which coal deposits formed after the impact of a giant meteorite. B) Swampy forests that occur throughout the present day state of Pennsylvania where coal is formed from NPP and decomposition processes over the last 200 y. C) Forests of Lycophytes, horsetails, scale trees and other primitive species that thrived in the warm humid conditions of the Carboniferous Period (359-299 Ma). Lack of fungi with enzymes to decompose lignin and suberin, and burial under swampy conditions, preserved accumulations of the organic material that formed today's coal deposits.
c
Cold upwelling is: A) Frigid air currents created by air masses flowing over Greenland's glaciers that increase the length and severity of winter weather extending the season of polar sea ice to the benefit of polar bears. B) Sinking of salty, cold, and dense seawater at high latitudes as part of the thermohaline circulation. C) The upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich deep ocean currents, often along the western coasts of continents that sustain extremely high biological productivity and support vibrant fisheries, such as anchovies off the coast of Peru.
c
Evapotranspiration is: A) The water that passes through the stomata on the underside of plant leaves during the process of photosynthesis. B) The water that evaporates from the surface of large bodies of water, including lakes, estuaries, and the oceans influencing precipitation patterns. C) The water evaporated from a unit area of land plus the water transpired by ecosystems or crops on that land. D) The water transported through the stems of plants.
c
Factors that contribute to the collapse of societies include a) Lack of creativity in designing solutions for natural resource management b) Belief that natural resources will inevitably be exhausted c) Lack of incentives for individuals to limit the use of resources that are shared with other people d) Trade with neighboring societies
c
How does Jared Diamond define "collapse"? a) Complete conquest of one society by another b) Sudden overthrow of one governing elite by another c) Drastic decrease in the political and economic complexity of a society d) None of the above
c
In IPCC reports and other studies, they talk about "relative sea level rise". How does relative sea level rise differ from absolute sea level rise? A) Relative sea level rise is the rate of sea level experienced by one's relatives that live along the coast in another part of the world, compared to local (absolute) sea level rise. B) Relative sea level rise accounts for both the thermal expansion of seawater due to heating (e.g. rising sea-surface temperature) and melting of continental ice, whereas absolute sea level rise accounts only for melting of continental ice. C) Relative sea level rise is the apparent local rate of sea level rise that incorporates the global background (absolute) rate of sea level rise due to thermal expansion of seawater and melting of continental ice, plus local modifying factors such as glacial isostatic rebound and variation in ocean currents. D) Relative sea level rise is the background global (absolute) rate of sea level rise due to thermal expansion of seawater and melting continental ice, plus gravitational effects of sun/moon alignment during spring tides.
c
Radiative forcing is a measure for how a given forcing agent (e.g., greenhouse gas) has contributed to global temperature rise from the year 1750 to today. Which of the following has the smallest radiative forcing value? a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. nitrous oxide d. halocarbons e. radiative forcing is equal for all of the above
c
The Cambrian Explosion can best be characterized as: A) A period of extreme volcanic activity during the Cambrian Period, 540-485 Ma, causing dramatic climate warming and emergence of "tetrapod" organisms on land. B) A catastrophic impact of a huge meteorite/comet/asteroid 65 Ma that caused worldwide climate change, ending the age of the dinosaurs and ushering in the Cambrian geologic period. C) The greatest period of biological evolution and diversification of Life on Earth during the Cambrian Period, 540-485 Ma, occurring mostly in shallow continental shelf oceans. Hardbodied mollusks and arthropods provided a well-preserved and detailed fossil record, and therefore, one of the best understood chapters in the history of Life on Earth. D) Another name for the "Age of Fishes" and their evolutionary diversification.
c
The Isthmus of Panama is best described as: A) A land bridge that formed during the Paleogene Period, 66-23 Ma, connecting South America to Antarctica, blocking flow of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current resulting in melting of the southern polar ice cap. B) The high elevation rainforests of Panama in which primates and early hominids diverged during the Pleistocene leading to the human evolutionary line. C) A land bridge connecting North and South America that formed late in the Neogene Period (late Tertiary), 23-2.6 Ma, allowing mixing of fauna as evidenced by pan-American species such as opossum, peccary, and puma. D) A land bridge connecting North and South America that formed during the Ordovician Period, 485-444 Ma, which explains why there is extensive overlap in both plant and animal species across the Americas.
c
The Phanerozoic Eon refers to: a) the entire span of Earth's geologic history b) only the last 10,000 y c) the last ~540 million y (My) comprising Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras d) the time of the dinosaurs
c
The definition of ecosystems is: A) The plants that live in a specific geographic area of use to humans. B) Natural areas on Earth's surface never influenced by human activities. C) Specific assemblages of populations of organisms forming communities in a geographic area resulting from ecological processes operating over evolutionary time, interacting with the physical environment.
c
The five major oceans listed in order of decreasing size (e.g. biggest to smallest) are: A) Panthalassian, Tethys, Indian, Pacific, Atlantic B) Indian, Arctic, Antarctic, Pacific, Atlantic C) Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Antarctic, Arctic D) South China Sea, Philippian Sea, Hawaiian Sea, Atlantic, Pacific
c
The term life cycle analysis refers to: A) Chain-of-custody documentation tracing the complete life cycle of tropical timber, from harvest in the rainforest to international transactions to sale of the final product to ensure sustainable logging practices. B) The study of the life cycle of exotic invasive forest insect pests to determine the most vulnerable life stages at which control measures can be targeted. C) The accounting of all CO2 and GHG fluxes, and changes in C pools, associated with a given type of land use practice, such as short-rotation coppice culture of trees for bioenergy, to determine the net "climatic footprint" compared to traditional land uses and energy production systems (e.g. fossil fuels). D) None of the above.
c
Glaciers are slowly moving sheets of ice. Evidence on the land shows they advanced or grew, and then melted back at least five times over the last million years. One theory for their advance and retreat is referred to as the Milankovitch Cycles which are used to explain how the earth could cool and then warm up again in cycles. The reason(s) for the cooling and warming are: a. The gravitational pull of Jupiter and Saturn on the Earth witch pulls it further from the sun. b. Wobbling or movement of the Earth's axis of rotation caused by tidal forces from the sun. c. A change in the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation toward the sun which produces hotter summers and colder winters. d. All of the above e. A and B above
d
Major world biomes include: A) Oceans, freshwater bodies, and coastal ecosystems B) Polar tundra and cryosphere C) Deserts, steppes, and Mediterranean ecosystems D) all of the above
d
Nitrous oxide levels have been increasing in the atmosphere since 1980. This greenhouse gas is created in wetlands when nitrate is being converted to a gas by the process of: a. Nitrogen fixation b. Ammonification c. Nitrification d. Denitrification e. Decomposition or mineralization
d
Oxygen isotopes are used to estimate temperatures of the past. The ratio of 18O to 16O (18O/16O) is measured as a proxy for temperature. During colder periods the ratio of 18O/16O in ocean water is larger than in warmer periods because: a. More 16O in water is eroded into the ocean from the land. b. More 18O is produced by foraminifera which proliferate in colder water. c. Deep ocean currents bring cold water to the surface of the ocean, and these waters are enriched in 16O. d. More 16O in water is locked up in ice on land. e. Not enough 16O dissolves from shells in the cold water
d
Sea level is rising as global temperatures rise. The causes of sea level rise include the melting of ice sheets as well as glaciers. Another and potentially larger cause of sea level rise is: a. higher rainfall events and more flooding on land which increases sediment input into oceans. b. greater biological growth which takes up more space c. decrease in salt content of the ocean water d. water expands on warming e. subsurface eruptions of volcanoes whose lava takes up space and causes sea levels to rise.
d
The Earth receives from the sun approximately 161 Wm-2 of radiation. It also receives an amount of radiation from the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The amount of radiation from the greenhouse gases that is emitted back to earth is approximately: a. 160 Wm-2 b. 84 Wm-2 c. 20 Wm-2 d. 342 Wm-2 e. 1360 Wm-2
d
The term "Global Change" refers to the fact that: A) Climate change is just one of many ways that modern society is affecting the environment, possibly decreasing Earth's capacity to continue providing important ecosystem services. B) Is the process whereby humanity sends probes to distant planets to find a new place to live. C) There is a huge patch of plastic garbage floating in the Pacific Ocean. D) Both A and C.
d
The vulnerability of a community to climate change is a function of a. The frequency and magnitude of climate and weather shocks that affect the community b. The sensitivity of the community to those shocks c. The capacity of the community to adapt and recover from shocks d. All of the above
d
Thermo-haline circulation (THC) refers to: a. Sea level rise along the coast of North Carolina from thermal expansion of ocean water due to global warming b. The stratification of the surface layer of the ocean, called the "euphotic zone". c. The predominant annual surface currents of the world's oceans, forming mid-ocean gyres from prevailing winds and the Coriolis effect. d. The ~1,000 y deep ocean circulation pattern, caused by waters warming at low latitudes thereby decreasing in density and rising to the surface, which are then pushed to high latitudes from winds and currents, becoming more dense due to cooling and increasing salinity (freshwater "freeze out"), causing it to sink. Important part of the "global heat engine" and circulation of nutrients.
d
What will global warming mean for wine in the future? a) Many regions that traditionally grew wine will lose an important part of their cultural heritage b) Wines will become stronger in alcohol c) Grape vines will more often suffer from early bud break and late frosts d) All of the above
d
Which of the following are examples of acclimatization? a) Transplanting species to new areas with similar climates to their area of origin b) Transfer of plants and animals between the new and old worlds c) Helping people adapt to new climates d) All of the above
d
Which of the following best represents Jared Diamond's argument in his book Collapse? a) Historically, societies that have severely degraded their environments have always collapsed. b) While there are multiple causes of societal collapses, historically, environmental degradation has always been a major factor. c) Even the most technologically advanced societies are doomed to collapse because of environmental degradation. d) Many societal collapses have been caused by the combined effects of environmental degradation and natural shifts in climate.
d
Which statement best describes physiological temperature tolerance? A) Organisms from temperate climates generally have the widest temperature range for physiological performance compared to tropical and polar organisms. B) High-latitude organisms are generally restricted to the most narrow temperature range of peak physiological performance. C) Organisms from all climates have an optimal temperature for peak physiological performance, above- and below-which performance drops off. D) All of the above.
d
As Earth's temperature rises, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere increases. This causes more infrared radiation from the earth to be absorbed by the vapor, and this also causes the Earth's temperature to rise, leading to increasing amounts of water vapor in the atmosphere by evaporation. This process is an example of: a. The Stefan Boltzman Law b. Wien's Law c. Seuss Effect d. Negative feedback loop e. Positive feedback loop
e
If the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is doubled then the Earth's surface temperature should eventually rise. The rise in temperature is caused by more infrared radiation being emitted by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Why does the increased CO2 cause more radiation to be returned to Earth? a. The CO2 gas in the atmosphere warms up as it absorbs more radiation. b. The atmosphere itself warms up and emits more infrared radiation some of which comes back to Earth. c. The amount of visible light reaching the earth is not absorbed by the atmosphere and plays no role in the additional warming. d. As the atmosphere warms, more radiation is emitted to space, but some also comes back to Earth. e. All of the above are correct
e
Methane is a strong greenhouse gas, but its lifespan in the atmosphere is about 10 years. It doesn't last, because it is oxidized to: a. nitrous oxide during denitrification b. calcium carbonate and water c. ozone and carbon dioxide d. halocarbons and water vapor e. carbon dioxide and water vapor
e
Reliable records of air temperature measurements go back about 200 years. To estimate temperatures older than 200 years we have to use proxies that allow us to estimate temperature from them. Examples of proxies include: a. Oxygen isotopes b. Stomata in fossil leaves c. Tree rings d. Pollen e. All of the above
e
Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) are emission scenarios that modelers use to estimate potential temperatures in the future. What gases are used in developing a given RCP scenario? a. CO2 b. N2O c. CH4 d. CFCs e. All of the above
e
The major source of carbon dioxide emissions from 1960 to today is: a. a warming ocean b. thawing permafrost c. land use change d. ruminant animals and termites e. fossil fuels and cement
e
Which statement(s) best characterize(s) the global C cycle? A) A pool of C is a standing stock of C, while a flux is movement of C between pools. B) The atmosphere has the largest pool of non-geologic C, at 37,100 Pg . C) In terrestrial ecosystems, the largest pool of C is in soil (1500-2400 Pg) compared to vegetation (450-650 Pg). D) A and B. E) A and C.
e
The energy hitting the earth from the sun is greater than that emitted by the atmosphere to the earth. t/f
f
The scientific method is based on careful selection of evidence that only supports preconceived notions, conducted using undisclosed methods and funding sources, for the benefit of special interests a. True b. False
f
The urban heat island effect completely explains global temperature rises. t/f
f
True or False: Improvements in wine as a result of warmer temperatures over the past 50 years suggest that on the whole, climate change will be good for the wine industry.
f
True/false: According to Jared Diamond, natural fluctuations in the environment and the availability of natural resources have helped societies recognize and respond to environmental degradation by humans.
f
True/false: According to Roy Scranton, US military leaders have failed to recognize climate change as a threat to national security.
f
True/false: According to the IPCC, global warming of more than 1 degree C above pre‐industrial levels can be avoided if all greenhouse gas emissions (from the industrial and land use sectors) cease within a few years.
f
True/false: The US is not a member of the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol or the Paris Accord.
f
True/false: The federal government is primarily responsible for adaptation to climate change.
f
Coal is the fuel used that produces the most electricity in the U.S. t/f
t
Electromagnetic radiation includes visible light and infrared radiation felt as heat. t/f
t
Feedback loops are a major driver of uncertainty in climate forcing affects on climate change t/f
t
Feedbacks may either be positive or negative t/f
t
Global warming will cause more intense (category 4 or 5) hurricanes to occur. t/f
t
Increases in carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and halocarbon gases have caused global temperatures to rise by about 1 oC since 1750. t/f
t
Milankovitch cycles of earth's movement around sun have been used to explain glacial cycles. t/f
t
Organic matter that decomposes under anaerobic conditions releases methane. t/f
t
T/F: Beach re-nourishment will be used more in the future to offset the effects of sea-level rise.
t
T/F: Global warming will cause more category 4 and 5 hurricanes to occur
t
The most significant anthropogenic source of methane (CH4) is from agriculture/waste management. t/f
t
The three major types of climate forcings are solar radiation, albedo, and greenhouse gases t/f
t
True or False: Culture can change faster than nature.
t
True/false: According to a study by McKinsey & Company, CEOs are more likely than other respondents to see sustainability as the top or one of the top three priorities.
t
True/false: Estimates of the total cost of damages caused by emitting carbon dioxide vary in large part because of different assumptions about how much to value impacts in the future vs. impacts today.
t
True/false: Free riding is one of the primary barriers to solving collective action problems.
t
True/false: History shows that societal outcomes (whether successes or failures) are the result of both human choices and climate.
t
True/false: Nomadism and polyculture are two ways that past human societies have responded to variable climate.
t
True/false: Reducing emissions of short‐lived climate forcers (pollutants) would have significant cobenefits.
t
True/false: Some of the same actions can help with both mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
t
True/false: The quality of wine has improved as a result of warmer temperatures over the past 50 years.
t
True/false: The wines that we will be drinking in 35 years will be substantially different from the wines that are consumed today.
t
True/false: There is consensus among both scientific and national security experts that climate change is inevitable.
t
True/false: When History was created as a discipline, it was intended to show that Europeans were racially superior and had cultural advantages over other peoples.
t
