A History of Global Climate Change Lab, Practice, + Quiz

Explain how glaciers can change the landscape and physical characteristics of continents.

The advancing front of a glacier acts like a bulldozer, scraping across the landscape and carving out new features. This can carve out new courses for rivers and lakes and flatten out landscapes.

Why was the concern over global cooling replaced with a concern over global warming? a. The science community needed a cause to frighten the general population. b. Steady surface temperature increases were noted between the 1970's and 90's. c. Air pollution only became a concern in the 1980's. d. Scientists observed severe ocean acidification.

b. Steady surface temperature increases were noted between the 1970's and 90's.

At which time of day is the heat flow entering Earth's atmosphere H(in) highest? a. sunrise b. midday c. sunset d. midnight

b. midday

Many scientists expect global temperatures to _______ by 2100. a. rise 0.4-1.4ºC b. rise 1.4-5.8ºC c. fall 0.4-1.4ºC d. fall 1.4-5.8ºC

b. rise 1.4-5.8ºC

Which of the following continents was not covered by ice during the Pleistocene ice age? a. Europe b. Asia c. Australia d. North America

c. Australia

When the levels of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere increase, which statement is true? a. Earth's temperature increases because H(in) increases. b. Earth's temperature increases because H(out) increases. c. Earth's temperature increases because H(out) decreases. d. Earth's temperature increases because H(in) increases and H(out) decreases.

c. Earth's temperature increases because H(out) decreases.

Which of the following is not a theory supporting global warming? a. It is predicted that the average temperature will rise 1.4° C or more over the next 100 years. b. Human activity has increased greenhouse gases. c. Over the last 100 years the earth has warmed by 0.74° C d. Carbon dioxide is an insignificant greenhouse gas.

d. Carbon dioxide is an insignificant greenhouse gas.

"In a 2009 study, presented by the National Academy of Science, 97% of climate scientists agree that human activity is causing global warming." Which of the following statements is best supported by this study? a. Most climate scientists dispute the theory of human influence on global warming. b. Global warming is most likely alarmist propaganda based on false data. c. Global warming is definitely not caused by human influence on nature. d. Most climate scientists believe that there is evidence that explains global warming.

d. Most climate scientists believe that there is evidence that explains global warming.

Which of the following is predicted to be an impact of global warming? a. extreme weather b. ocean acidification c. species extinction d. all of the above

d. all of the above

Greenhouse gases are best described as _______. a. the result of fossil fuel use b. gases that cause the greenhouse effect c. carbon dioxide and methane d. gases that trap energy from the sun in Earth's atmosphere

d. gases that trap energy from the sun in Earth's atmosphere

Which of the following is not true concerning the interglacial period that began 15,000 years ago? a. glaciers stopped advancing b. sea levels rose c. biodiversity increased d. none of the above

d. none of the above

Human activities _______. a. exacerbate the natural greenhouse effect b. create the greenhouse effect c. diminish the greenhouse effect d. eliminate the greenhouse effect

a. exacerbate the natural greenhouse effect

Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be _______. a. too cold to support our current ecosystem b. too warm to support our current ecosystem c. too wet to support our current ecosystem d. barren of all life

a. too cold to support our current ecosystem

Between 1940 and 1970 most scientists were already concerned about global warming. T or F

f

Explain why entering an interglacial period resulted in an increase in biodiversity on Earth.

During an ice age the conditions on Earth favor glaciers and cold deserts over more hospitable environments. Therefore, when the ice age ended and glaciers retreated the more hospitable grasslands and forests that developed hosted greater biodiversity.

Explain why scientists are concerned about human activities that cause global warming if global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect and the greenhouse effect is a natural part of Earth's climate.

Even if global warming is a natural part of Earth's climate, human activities are accelerating it. Global temperatures are expected to rise much faster than they would have naturally, which may result in severe environmental and climate changes across the globe. These predicted impacts of global warming could have severe, negative impacts to humans.

Explain why some groups doubt the occurrence of global warming and global climate change. T or F

Some groups point out that water is a more significant contributor to warming in the atmosphere. Therefore, they argue that carbon dioxide is not a significant greenhouse gas so any observed warming is not the result of human activity. To many of these groups any discussion of global warming or climate change is a form of media alarmism.

Explain why the greenhouse effect is not entirely a man-made phenomenon.

While many human activities produce greenhouse gases, the greenhouse effect is actually a natural process. Many atmospheric gases help trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, including natural gases like carbon dioxide. So while human activities exacerbate the natural greenhouse effect, it is not solely due to them.

What is the likely long-term consequence of an increase in the relative percent of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere? a. Earth's average temperature will increase. b. Earth's average temperature will decrease. c. Earth will experience greater temperature extremes. d. Earth's average temperature will be unaffected.

a. Earth's average temperature will increase.

Which of the following continents was covered by glaciers during the Pleistocene ice age? a. Europe b. South America c. Australia d. Africa

a. Europe

Why did scientists think the world was experiencing global cooling between the 1940's and 1970's. a. Pollution was blocking sunlight. b. Pollution was trapping heat in the atmosphere. c. Winters were the longest and coldest since the last ice age. d. Biodiversity was declining.

a. Pollution was blocking sunlight.

During ices ages our planet supports more glaciers and deserts than forests. T or F

t

Global warming is a theory accepted by a majority of scientists. T or F

t