Chapter 14

Recent evidence from polar ice core analysis shows that, until now, carbon dioxide levels have never exceeded ________ ppm in the last several hundred thousand years. 200 500 25 1000 300

300

The oceans hold ________ carbon than the atmosphere. 10,000 times more 10,000 times less 50 times more 5 times more 1000 times less

50 times more

Produced by microbes decomposing matter in landfills and as a metabolic byproduct of livestock

Methane

What are the periodic variations in Earth's rotation and orbit around the sun that alter the way solar radiation is distributed over Earth's surface? climate Milankovitch cycles radiative forcing weather

Milankovitch cycles

The largest source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the United States is ________, followed by ________. electricity generation; transportation agriculture; electricity generation agriculture; transportation electricity generation; agriculture electricity generation; industry

electricity generation; transportation

Compared to Antarctica, the percent increase in temperature in the Arctic will be ________. the same 10 times less less 10 times greater greater

greater

The Kyoto Protocol was initiated as a response to what sorts of emissions? ozone CFCs water vapor greenhouse gases

greenhouse gases

Which of the following have the ability to absorb energy from Earth's surface and then emit infrared radiation in all directions? greenhouse gases the sun the oceans the mountains

greenhouse gases

Carbon-based fuels from lithospheric reservoirs ________. are readily lost from Earth's surface in the absence of humans have been slowly sequestered over many millions of years will be lost before the end of the decade are formed from the deposition, partial decay, and compression of inorganic matter cannot be lost to the atmosphere by human processes once stabilized on Earth's surface

have been slowly sequestered over many millions of years

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ________. constructed the Kyoto Protocol performed the research included in the climate change findings is an international panel that reports on how climate change influences biomes and economies fines companies that pollute could not achieve its objectives because of lack of popular support

is an international panel that reports on how climate change influences biomes and economies

For every metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of changes in land use (e.g. deforestation), approximately how much is emitted from industry? 0.2 metric tons 4 metric tons 20 metric tons 26 metric tons

4 metric tons

The majority of the United States will see temperature rises of ________°C. 6.5-7.5 1.5-2.5 3.5-4.5 4.5-5.5 5.5-6.5

4.5-5.5

The most recent analyses of polar ice cores have given us the ability to profile global climate change back as far as ________ years. 1000 300,000,000 50,000 100,000 800,000

800,000

Which of the following statements is supported by the graph? Because there is so much uncertainty in the forecasts, no conclusions can be drawn about how actions to reduce CO2 emissions will affect the rate of global warming. All of the computer-generated forecasts predict some global warming, but reducing the level of CO2 emissions will significantly slow the rate of increase. If CO2 emissions cease immediately, global temperatures will stabilize near the 1900 level.

All of the computer-generated forecasts predict some global warming, but reducing the level of CO2 emissions will significantly slow the rate of increase.

Predominant greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels

Carbon dioxide

How are warming temperatures causing a vicious cycle (positive feedback) that is leading to enhanced warming? Global warming decreases the planet's albedo, which releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ice and snow absorb light, and as they melt, Earth produces more carbon dioxide. Global warming increases the planet's albedo, leading to more global warming. Ice and snow reflect light, and as they melt, Earth absorbs more of the sun's rays.

Ice and snow reflect light, and as they melt, Earth absorbs more of the sun's rays.

How is global warming most significantly affecting coral reefs and sea life? Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide are being absorbed by the oceans. Global warming is heating the ocean's temperatures so that marine life is dying. Ozone in the water is killing marine life. The amount of water in the ocean is increasing and causing coral reefs to wash onto shore.

Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide are being absorbed by the oceans.

What initiative or group is responsible for the most reviewed and widely accepted reports that we have on climate change? International Test of Emissions (ITE) Montreal Protocol Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

By-product of feedlots, chemical manufacturing, and fertilizer us

Nitrous oxide

Which section of the United States will experience some significant impacts from global climate change that are NOT related to rising sea levels or the alteration of the world's oceans? What are those impacts? Southeast--degrading coasts Alaska--alteration to fisheries Northwest--degrading forests Northeast--damage to urban infrastructure

Northwest--degrading forests

What position did the United States take regarding the Kyoto Protocol? The United States took responsibility for its role in the production of greenhouse gas emissions and pledged to reduce emissions by 75% by the year 1998. The United States is participating in the resolutions set forth by the Kyoto Protocol but has refused to take leadership with the process. The United States is the only industrialized nation to refuse to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. The United States took leadership with the Kyoto Protocol and is at the forefront of greenhouse gas emission reduction.

The United States is the only industrialized nation to refuse to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

The figure indicates a net accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere of approximately 15 billion metric tons per year. Based on the figure, what is causing this? The ocean is releasing more CO2 than it is absorbing. The anthropogenic increased uptake of CO2 by plants balances the extra anthropogenic release of CO2 into the atmosphere. Human activities are sending more CO2 into the atmosphere than is moving from the atmosphere to the surface. Respiration is moving more CO2 into the atmosphere than photosynthesis is taking out of the atmosphere.

The anthropogenic increased uptake of CO2 by plants balances the extra anthropogenic release of CO2 into the atmosphere.

What happens as ocean waters warm? Tides become higher due to lighter oceans. The pH of the ocean increases. The oceans absorb less CO2. Ocean currents slow down.

The oceans absorb less CO2.

Why do environmentalists and scientists advocate immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and subsidies for renewable energy? Environmentalists do not want to anger farmers, even though agriculture produces the most carbon dioxide. Power companies do not have labor unions that oppose legal restrictions. These industries export goods to all other nations on Earth. These industries produce the most greenhouse gases. No laws currently exist to regulate these industries.

These industries produce the most greenhouse gases.

Which of the following statements about the sun's energy is true? Thirty percent of the sun's energy is reflected off Earth and back into space. The sun supplies 1/3 of the energy needed for Earth's processes. One hundred percent of the sun's energy is absorbed by Earth. The only process on Earth that requires the sun's energy is photosynthesis.

Thirty percent of the sun's energy is reflected off Earth and back into space.

What is the difference between weather and climate? Weather occurs in the northern hemisphere, while climate occurs in the southern hemisphere. Weather and climate are used interchangeably. Weather occurs over seasons and years, while climate occurs over hours and days. Weather occurs over hours and days, and climate occurs over seasons and years.

Weather occurs over hours and days, and climate occurs over seasons and years.

What is the greenhouse effect? a change in Earth's climate an increase in the concentration of atmospheric gases an increase in Earth's average surface temperature a warming of Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases that trap reflected heat rather than allow it to escape into space

a warming of Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases that trap reflected heat rather than allow it to escape into space

Which of the following contributes to atmospheric cooling? methane from domestic livestock and swamps chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) aerosols (particularly sulfur compounds) and dusts carbon dioxide from automobiles

aerosols (particularly sulfur compounds) and dusts

Keeling's reports from Mauna Loa demonstrated ________. an increase in tropospheric CO2 from the 1950s to present that sediments deposited on the seafloor can yield clues about past climates the presence of El Niño that as distances from cities decreased, CO2 concentrations increased that CO2 levels have been stable over the last 40 years

an increase in tropospheric CO2 from the 1950s to present

Milankovitch cycles ________. are changes in Earth's rotation and orbit around the sun that may trigger climate variation describe upwelling and downwelling in the ocean refer to shifts in the temperature of surface water in the middle latitudes of the Pacific Ocean describe the timing of the northern lights in the thermosphere describe the transpiration, evaporation, and precipitation of Earth's water

are changes in Earth's rotation and orbit around the sun that may trigger climate variation

Which of the following is an example of mitigation rather than adaptation for global climate change? building a sea wall in the Maldives to prevent flooding building more solar panels to generate electricity instead of more coal-fired power plants digging deep wells to get access to more water for agriculture if rainfall in an area should drop off building and maintaining preserves in endangered habitats to make sure they do not disappear

building more solar panels to generate electricity instead of more coal-fired power plants

What is a system in which utilities and industries seek financial gain through competing to reduce emissions? fee-and-dividend cap-and-trade carbon capture carbon tax

cap-and-trade

Of the following, ________ are market mechanisms for addressing climate change. international treaties from global conferences carbon taxes and fee-and-dividend benefits carbon neutrality and carbon aggression policies cap-and-trade and carbon offsets mitigation and adaptation

cap-and-trade and carbon offsets

The predominant greenhouse gas produced by human use of fossil fuels is __________. nitrous oxide, N2O carbon dioxide methane sulfate aerosols

carbon dioxide

What is a situation in which NO net carbon is emitted? carbon offsets carbon-neutrality carbon copy carbon tax

carbon-neutrality

What are sophisticated computer programs that allow scientists to understand how climate systems function and to make predictions for the future? proxy indicators sediment cores climate models ice cores

climate models

What two processes emit the most carbon in the United States? electricity generation and transportation mass production and transportation transportation and agriculture electricity generation and mass production

electricity generation and transportation

Scientists evaluate concentrations of gases and other atmospheric constituents from the distant past by examining which of the following? gas bubbles trapped in soil gas bubbles trapped in rock gas bubbles trapped in the oceans gas bubbles trapped in ice

gas bubbles trapped in ice

Why are over one-sixth of the world's people at risk for running out of drinking water? Why are over one-sixth of the world's people at risk for running out of drinking water? Glaciers in many areas are melting. There is not enough surface water. The world's fresh water wells are drying up. The oceans are drying up.

glaciers in many areas are melting

Keeling began measuring tropospheric carbon dioxide concentrations at Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii in 1958. This is a remote location away from urban and industrial areas. If Keeling had instead established his CO2 monitoring station near a large coal-fired power plant then ________. his measurements of CO2 levels would likely be much lower than a place like Mauna Loa his measurements of CO2 levels would likely be much higher than in a place like Mauna Loa the heat given off by the power plant would give him higher than expected readings his measurements of CO2 levels would likely be about the same as a place like Mauna Loa his measurements would be influenced by the amount of soot produced by the power plant

his measurements of CO2 levels would likely be much higher than in a place like Mauna Loa

Hydroelectric power generation ________. has no undesirable environmental effects uses fuel cells to generate electricity is an alternative to fossil fuels that produces fewer greenhouse gases produces pollutants that contribute significantly to acid precipitation produces high quantities of greenhouse gases

is an alternative to fossil fuels that produces fewer greenhouse gases

Earth's climate ________. is changing as a result of natural and human processes has changed only once due to the evolution of green photosynthesizing plants will stabilize over the next century, according to the predictions of most scientists has been stable over the history of the planet history is undeterminable because there is no method of studying climatic history of the planet

is changing as a result of natural and human processes

The U.S. Senate has so far opposed emissions reductions on the grounds that ________. it might hurt the economy the United States does not emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases no other nations have pledged reductions the United States already has reduced its emissions by 68% as agreed in the Copenhagen treaty President Obama rejected the scientific basis of global climate change

it might hurt the economy

What is the planet's albedo? its ability to produce carbon dioxide its ability to product stratospheric ozone its ability to absorb light its ability to reflect light

its ability to reflect light

In legislation, the precautionary principle applied to climate change states that ________. alterations to legislation must be done in a way that maximizes environmental protection at the urging of scientists without recourse from the voting public all alternative sources of energy should be evaluated by the scientific community before marketing caution should be used in handling hazardous wastes lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used to postpone measures to prevent major environmental degradation permit trading should be undertaken with caution

lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used to postpone measures to prevent major environmental degradation

Which of the following is an example of mitigation? making legislation to reduce our use of fossil fuels moving inland as sea levels rise wearing cooler clothing developing new strategies for predicting changing weather patterns

making legislation to reduce our use of fossil fuels

Growing rice results in the release of ________ into the atmosphere. sulfate aerosols sulfur oxides methane carbon dioxide ozone

methane

Which greenhouse gas is produced by the raising of cattle? halocarbon and fluorocarbon gases propane methane nitrogen oxides

methane

The atmosphere around Earth can cause global warming because ________. warm air cannot escape, as in a greenhouse plants release CO2 plants absorb CO2 molecules in the atmosphere are warmed by radiation from Earth and retain that heat fossil fuels release heat

molecules in the atmosphere are warmed by radiation from Earth and retain that heat

Which greenhouse gas has a global warming potential that is approximately three times that of methane? nitrous oxide hydrochlorofluorocarbon HFC-23 carbon dioxide None of the listed responses is correct.

nitrous oxide

The region of the planet that will see the smallest rises in temperature is ________. oceans the Antarctic Asia/Australia the Arctic islands

oceans

The use of public transportation is ________. subsidized by the U.S. government one of the best options for decreasing the use of fossil fuels for transportation higher in the United States compared to Europe more expensive than driving a car increasing rapidly in the face of concerns over climate change

one of the best options for decreasing the use of fossil fuels for transportation

One factor contributing to U.S. resistance to legal intervention regarding global climate change is ________. lack of support from other developed nations around the world the precautionary principle political influence of the petroleum, coal and automobile industries the success of voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions by U.S. power plants lack of scientific evidence supporting global climate change

political influence of the petroleum, coal and automobile industries

Which type of indirect evidence can substitute for direct measurements of past climate change? proxy indicators litigations observations conclusions

proxy indicators

All of the following will likely be impacts of global climate change on sea levels except ________. greater storm surges receding coastlines increasing beach erosion coastal flooding salt water intrusion into aquifers

receding coastlines

Hydrogen fuel cells, biodiesel, and long-term electric batteries are potential solutions to ________. carbon sequestration reducing carbon emissions from cars and trucks cap-and-trade emission control cutting back the carbon emissions from hydroelectric plants replacing coal as a major fuel for generating electricity

reducing carbon emissions from cars and trucks

The Clear Skies Initiative may have helped somewhat with the problem of global climate change because it would have ________. prohibited importation of goods from nations that pollute required reduced nitrogen oxide emissions required reduced carbon dioxide emissions permitted the purchase of "wind certificates" provided subsidies for renewable energy

required reduced nitrogen oxide emissions

Which lifestyle choice would cause the greatest reduction in greenhouse emissions? using public transportation driving an electric car (plugged into the grid at night to be recharged) riding a bike driving a hybrid car

riding a bike

Compound that contributes to short-term atmospheric cooling

sulfate aerosol

According to the map, the area that will experience the greatest increase in temperatures is ________. the Arctic and subarctic the tropics desert areas north temperate areas: Canada and Eurasia oceans

the Arctic and subarctic

The United States should enact laws slowing global climate change because ________. the United States is the most populous nation on Earth the United States is a major producer of greenhouse gases global climate change effects are most significant in the United States U.S. industry supports the legislation we would be the first nation to initiate efforts to slow global climate change

the United States is a major producer of greenhouse gases

Carbon dioxide is ________. more potent (per molecule of gas) than methane the most potent (per molecule of gas) of the greenhouse gases the only greenhouse gas presently increasing in the atmosphere the most abundant greenhouse gas the main anthropogenic greenhouse gas produced in the United States

the main anthropogenic greenhouse gas produced in the United States

Which three factors have the greatest effect on Earth's climate? the sun, the ocean, and the stars the sun, the atmosphere, and the ocean the sun, the moon, and the stars the sun, the stars, and the moon

the sun, the atmosphere, and the ocean

Environmentalists advocate immediate intervention regarding global climate change because ________. most live in areas most affected by global climate change they favor the precautionary principle most are heavily invested in fossil fuel industries they are concerned about the global economic losses sustained due to global climate change they favor anthropocentric ethical principles

they favor the precautionary principle

The greenhouse effect involves warming of Earth's surface and the ________. thermosphere stratosphere ionosphere troposphere mesosphere

troposphere

Soot particles ("black carbon aerosols") generally cause ________ of Earth's atmosphere by ________ solar energy. cooling; reflecting warming; absorbing cooling; radiating cooling; absorbing warming; reflecting

warming; absorbing

The Kyoto Protocol ________. increased federal funding for controlling greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. power plants would have resulted in overall increases in greenhouse emissions required equal concessions from all countries involved in greenhouse gas emission required increases in nuclear power generation was intended to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases to levels lower than those of 1990

was intended to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases to levels lower than those of 1990

Most abundant greenhouse gas

water vapor