ES 200 Final Exam (NO EXAM 2)

T/F: NC temperature may rise 2-3 C by 2100

True

Which of the following emits the most methane to the atmosphere: a. wetlands b. ruminant animals c. rice paddies d. termites e. fossil fuel burning

Wetlands

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

carbon dioxide and water vapor

Which of the following include major greenhouse gases? a. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide b. oxygen, nitrogen, helium c. ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite d. carbon, chlorine, and bromine e. None of the above

carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide

The U.S. uses oil or petroleum as its largest source of energy. In China, the largest energy source used is: a. coal b. oil or petroleum c. natural gas d. cement manufacturing e. burning of wood

coal

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, that is has had the least impact on temperature change? a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. nitrous oxide d. halocarbons e. radiative forcing is equal for all of the above

nitrous oxide

In the U.S. we produce more natural gas than any other fuel source. However, the major fuel we consume for our energy needs is: a. Natural gas b. Oil or petroleum c. Coal d. Biomass e. Hydroelectric

oil or petroleum

The Kaya identity shows that total carbon emission are a function of a) The carbon intensity of energy b) Energy intensity of the economy c) Human population d) All of the above

All of the above

Sea level is expected to rise over the next 100 years. If the world experienced an RCP of 4.5 from the year 2000 to 2100, how much would sea level rise over this time period? a. 0 m b. 0.54 m c. 1 m d. 2 m e. 3 m

0.54 m

The Earth's surface receives from the sun approximately 161 Wm-2 of energy that passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by land or water. 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 downward back to earth is approximately: [Hint: is the radiation greater than, less than, or about equal to 161 Wm-2] a. 160 Wm-2 b. 84 Wm-2 c. 20 Wm-2 d. 342 Wm-2 e. 1360 Wm-2

342 Wm-2

Normal precipitation in the NC Piedmont and Coastal Plain ranges between: a. 5-20 in. b. 10-30 in. c. 40-50 in. d. 100-150 in.

40-50 in

Based on their consumption, the 10% richest people in the world are responsible for about what percent of global carbon emissions? a) 1% b) 25% c) 50% d) 99%

50%

The current level of CO2 in the atmosphere is approximately 415 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

550 ppm

Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas. Approximately what percentage of the global temperature rise that has occurred since 1750 can be attributed to carbon dioxide alone? a. 0-10% b. 10-20% c. 20-30% d. 30-50% e. 60 to 70%

60 to 70%

The U.S. uses approximately 100 Quads of energy per year. Approximately what percentage of this is lost as wasted energy? a. 10% b. 25% c. 70% d. 98% e. None

70%

As calculated by the US government, the social cost of carbon dioxide a) Includes an estimate of the monetary value of human lives lost because of climate change b) Places less weight on impacts of climate change that occur further in the future c) Is the total global benefit of reducing emissions by one ton of CO2 d) All of the above

All of the above

Climate forcing agents are things that can cause Earth's temperature to 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

All of the above

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 or so. 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 which 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

All of the above

Global temperatures have varied much over time. What factors have contributed to this variability? a. Variation in sun spots b. Volcanic eruptions c. El Nino events d. Greenhouse gases e. All of the above

All of the above

If the amount of CO2 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 energy. 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

All of the above

In a "World Scientists' Warning of a Climate Emergency," Ripple et al. (2019) call on humanity to: a) Stabilize population b) Develop an economy that prioritizes basic needs and reduces inequality c) Massively increase energy efficiency and reduce energy use d) All of the above

All of the above

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

All of the above

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 (chlorofluorocarbons) e. All of the above

All of the above

In the U.S., coal is widely used for electricity production because it is cheap. Which of the following sources of energy are as cheap or cheaper than coal? a. Nuclear power b. Hydroelectric power c. Onshore wind turbines d. Natural gas—used in advanced systems e. All of the above are cheaper than coal

All of the above are cheaper than coal

Between 1998 and 2013, the carbon emission intensity of economies has a) Stayed about the same in most countries b) Decreased in most countries c) Increased in most countries d) Increased in about half of the world and decreased in the other half of the world

Decreased in most countries

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

Denitrification

Permafrost is frozen soil. It is beginning to melt through global warming. Which of the following gases will be released to the atmosphere as permafrost melts? a. CO2 b. CH4 c. N2O d. Ozone e. Both "a" and "b"

Both "a" and "b"

The similarities between carbon taxes and cap&trade systems include which of the following a) Both provide stable predictable prices b) Both encourage companies to find low-cost ways to reduce emissions c) Both ensure that emission reduction targets are met d) All of the above

Both encourage companies to find low-cost ways to reduce emissions

Global warming potential (GWP) is a way to rank the radiation absorbing power of a greenhouse gas. Which one of the following gases has the lowest GWP value? a. CO2 b. CH4 c. N2O d. Halocarbons e. Ozone

CO2

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, bacteria need ___________ to form methane. a. CH4 b. CO2 c. N2O d. CCl4 e. O2

CO2

The Keeling curve shows the relationship of ________________ concentration in the atmosphere over time. a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. nitrous oxide d. water vapor e. ozone

Carbon Dioxide

NC is comprised of major land regions that formed by different geological processes. The land region formed as a result of high sea levels is the: a. Coastal Plain b. Piedmont c. Triassic Basin d. Mountains e. Ridge and Valley

Coastal plain

The isotopes of oxygen differ in the number of _____________ in their nucleus. a. Protons b. Neutrons c. Electrons d. Ions e. Photons

Neutrons

Climate models have been developed to better understand Earth's climate system. There are three major groups of models. One group of models includes 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 the models it includes 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)

Earth System Models (ESM)

Climate change mitigation is considered a "public good" because it can only be achieved through coordinated action by nearly everyone in the world. a) True b) False

False

Collective action problems can be solved by free riding. a) True b) False

False

Human civilization developed during a period of exceptional variability in the world's climate (the Holocene epoch). a) True b) False

False

Over the past ten years, China has emitted the most carbon dioxide per person of any country. a) True b) False

False

REDD+ is based on trust, because it requires industrialized countries to pay developing countries to keep forests standing without any way to verify whether or not they are actually conserving their forests. a) True b) False

False

T/F: A climate forcing agent always increases earth's temperature.

False

T/F: Global warming will likely cause More hurricanes to occur

False

T/F: Global warming will likely cause more hurricanes to occur.

False

T/F: Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb visible light.

False

T/F: In order to agree with observations of temperature, climate models must exclude the impacts of greenhouse gases.

False

T/F: Incoming radiation to the earth is larger than the radiation being returned to space. The excess energy is being stored mostly in the atmosphere.

False

T/F: Natural gas is the fuel that releases the most CO2 into the atmosphere.

False

T/F: The "ice age" occurred during the Holocene epic.

False

T/F: The Keeling curve shows the increase in N2O over time.

False

T/F: The greenhouse gas with the largest Global Warming Potential (GWP) is carbon dioxide.

False

T/F: The major drawback to using nuclear power plants for electricity generation is the risk of their exploding like an atomic bomb.

False

The UNFCCC is guided by the principle that all countries must contribute equally to climate change mitigation. a) True b) False

False

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

Fossil fuels and cement

"natural climate solutions" a) Could capture enough carbon from the atmosphere to ensure that temperatures do not rise more than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels b) Have at least some co-benefits like improved air or water quality c) Require setting aside land in natural ecosystems and not using it for agricultural production d) All of the above

Have at least some co-benefits like improved air or water quality

Energy balance models for the Earth have shown that the amount of incoming energy 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

Ocean

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

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

World carbon stocks are stored or held for some period but are eventually released and recycled. The place where the most carbon is stored is the: a. Soils and permafrost b. Fossil fuels deposits c. Ocean floor d. Intermediate and deep ocean e. Atmosphere

Intermediate and deep ocean

Dose-response curves show that moderate temperatures (not too hot and not too cold) are best for a) Minimizing demand for electricity b) All different types of outcomes c) Minimizing violent crime d) All of the above

Minimizing demand for electricity

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

Model results only match observations when human impacts, such as greenhouse gas concentrations, are included.

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 is locked up in ice on land. e. Not enough 16O dissolves from shells in the cold water

More 16O is locked up in ice on land.

The average of temperature and precipitation over a 30-year period is used to define a region's climate. Two widespread climate types found in NC are: a. Boreal and Continental b. Oceanic and Humid Subtropical c. Mediterranean and Steppe d. Savanna and Rainforest e. None of the above

Oceanic and Humid Subtropical

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 Agreement

Paris Agreement

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

Pleistocene

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 temperature to rise, leading to increasing amounts of water vapor in the atmosphere. 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

Positive feedback loop

In the year 2100, it was predicted that a certain emissions scenario would have 335 W/m2 of energy emitted back to space from the top of the atmosphere. What would the RCP be for this emissions scenario? [Hint: Consider how much energy from the sun reaches the top of the atmosphere] a. RCP 8.5 b. RCP 6 c. RCP 5.0 d. RCP 4.5 e. RCP 2.6

RCP 5.0

The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) shows just what its name suggests. If the PDSI for an area was -3, this would indicate the area is: a. Very wet b. Moderately wet c. Near Normal d. Mild drought e. Severe drought

Severe drought

The "great acceleration" occurred a) At the end of the last Ice Age b) During the colonial period of the 1600s c) Starting in the 1950s to present d) In the past decade

Starting in the 1950s to present

For the average consumer, which of the following actions would have the greatest impact on GHG emissions? a) Recycle b) Wash clothes in cold water c) Upgrade light bulbs d) Take fewer international flights

Take fewer international flights

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

The sun is hotter than the Earth

What is the definition of the "Anthropocene"? a) The geological time period when humans first evolved and started affecting the planet b) The unprecedented die-off of arthropods due to climate change c) The current geological time period, characterized by planetary-scale impacts of human activities d) None of the above

The current geological time period, characterized by planetary-scale impacts of human activities

Doughnut economics refers to: a) The importance of reforming our food system to deliver healthier food with lower environmental impacts and less waste b) The risk that human society will collapse in on itself because of overpopulation c) The idea that the goal of economic policy is to meet the sustainable development goals while not surpassing planetary boundaries d) All of the above

The idea that the goal of economic policy is to meet the sustainable development goals while not surpassing planetary boundaries

One limitation or caveat on policies that promote increased energy efficiency (e.g. by setting standards or requiring that information be included on labels) is a) They are politically controversial b) They result in a carbon debt c) They generate a rebound effect d) All of the above

They generate a rebound effect

The purpose of the flexibility mechanisms in the Kyoto protocol was a) To decrease the cost of reducing emissions b) To ensure that emissions and therefore climate change were reduced in all parts of the world c) To ensure that both carbon and other types of greenhouse gas emissions were reduced d) All of the above

To decrease the cost of reducing emissions

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

Troposphere (approximately 0-6 miles)

T/F: A major cause of sea level rise is the water is expanding on warming.

True

T/F: A representative concentration pathway (RCP) of 8.5 assumes higher concentrations of CO2 gases in the atmosphere by 2100 than and an RCP of 2.5

True

T/F: About 90% of the water evaporated from the ocean returns to the ocean as rain without going over land.

True

T/F: As climate warms, ocean temperatures will rise slower than those on land.

True

T/F: Climate feedback loops can increase or dampen the response to a forcing.

True

T/F: Coal is the fuel used that produces the most electricity in the U.S.

True

T/F: Earth System Models (ESM) are the most complex of the climate models developed

True

T/F: Ensembles or groups of models are used to make predictions of future average global temperatures.

True

T/F: Global warming will cause more intense (category 4 or 5) hurricanes to occur

True

T/F: Groundwater holds most of the fresh water that humans use.

True

T/F: If an object has an albedo of 70%, then 70% of the incoming radiation is reflected.

True

T/F: In the U.S., approximately 40% of the food produced is lost or wasted.

True

T/F: Increases in carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and halocarbon gases have caused global temperatures to rise by about 1 oC since 1750.

True

T/F: Organic matter that decomposes under anaerobic conditions releases methane.

True

T/F: Polar regions of the earth are heating up faster than equatorial regions.

True

T/F: Radiative forcing is the difference between incoming and outgoing radiation measured at the top of the atmosphere.

True

T/F: Shells that grew in cold water have higher 18O/16O than shells growing in warm water.

True

T/F: Sunspots are one type of climate forcing agent.

True

T/F: The downward flux (amount) of infrared radiation from the atmosphere is about twice as high as incoming sunlight to the earth.

True

T/F: The major source of water for human use comes from groundwater.

True

T/F: Water vapor in the atmosphere absorbs more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation than does carbon dioxide.

True

T/F: Water vapor is the greenhouse gas that absorbs more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation than any other greenhouse gas.

True

T/F: When glaciers formed the CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere were low.

True

Key uncertainties about the cost of climate change include: a) Whether human activities are really leading to climate change b) Who is to blame for damage to homes built too close to the coast c) What discount rate should be applied to impacts that occur in the future d) None of the above

What discount rate should be applied to impacts that occur in the future

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 for the day in question. 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 baseline of average temperature determined over a number of years from the same station for the day in question.

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

warmer

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 take 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.

water expands on warming