Chapter 18 Mastering Assignments
Evidence from polar ice core analysis shows that, until now, global carbon dioxide levels have never exceeded ________ ppm in the last 800,000 years.
300
What proportion of incoming solar radiation reaches Earth's surface?
54%
match the term and definition
Predominant greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels - carbon dioxide Produced by microbes decomposing matter in landfills and swamps - methane By-product of feedlots, chemical manufacturing, and fertilizer use - nitrous oxide Most abundant greenhouse gas - water vapor Compound that contributes to short-term atmospheric cooling - sulfate aerosol Stratospheric greenhouse gas that absorbs the sun's incoming ultraviolet radiation - ozone Global warming has been greatest in this area of the planet - arctic
Which of the following is an adaptation response to climate change?
a Pacific island nation building higher seawalls
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an international panel that ________.
reports on how climate change influences wildlife, ecosystems, and society
Which lifestyle choice would cause the greatest reduction in greenhouse emissions?
riding a bike
Read the following scenario and answer the question below.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that physical, biological, and economic evidence confirms global climate change due to human-produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earth's carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon d
they fear the consequences of inaction caused by lack of full scientific certainty
If anthropogenic factors continue to increase, then in the future ________.
the observed temperature trends shown in the figures should continue
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that physical, biological, and economic evidence confirms global climate change due to human-produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earth's carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon
the political influence of the petroleum, coal, and automobile industries
Which of the following statements regarding climate change is true?
Most climate scientists conclude that human activities over the past 100 years have had an effect on the planet's climate.
What was the overall change in CO2 emissions for electricity generation from 1980 to 2005? What was the percent change in CO2 emissions for transportation from 1980 to 2005? If U.S. population increased 32% from 1980 to 2005, how would you describe the change in per capita CO2 emissions for electricity generation? Now compare the change in GDP to the change in CO2 emissions from electricity generation. If GDP more than doubled from 1980 to 2005, what is the ratio of changes in CO2 emissions t
0.9 billion metric tons 36% As population increased, per capita CO2 emissions increased twice as fast. Less than 1:1, showing a slight CO2 decrease per unit of economic activity A 10% decrease in both electricity generation and transportation emissions
According to the graph, how much warmer on average were observed global temperatures in the year 2000 than in the year 1900?
0.9°Cq
This graph shows that sea level is rising due to water expanding as it warms, glaciers and ice sheets melting, and groundwater extraction. Since 1880, approximately how much of the rise in sea level can be attributed to alpine glacial melt? Which of the following can you conclude from the graph? According to the graph, from 2002 to 2018, the Greenland ice sheet lost an average of about 230 billion metric tons of ice every year. If this trend continues, how much total ice will have been lost f
1.8 7 cm From 2002 to 2018, Greenland lost more ice than Antarctica. 5310 billion metric tons The rate of glacier melting is increasing.
Which of the following states is expected to experience the greatest increase in temperature by the year 2100?
Alaska
Which of the following appears most likely to benefit from climate change? If trends continue, which of the following will occur? You research plants in Grand Teton National Park and find similar results as in Colorado. Which of the following is true? Which of the following bird species exhibits the most plasticity? You are an Iowa farmer. Which of the following would be best for you to do when it comes to mitigating climate change?
Companies that manufacture allergy medications Marmots in Colorado will mate earlier and be larger. Plant diversity is decreasing. House sparrows, found throughout the United States Planting cover crops after harvest to keep the soil cool.
What is the justification that the proponents of the Kyoto Protocol offer for developing countries having different requirements than developed countries?
Developed countries created the current problems, so they should make the sacrifices necessary to clean them up.
Which of the following greenhouse gases has (have) experienced at least a 50% increase in atmospheric concentration since 1750?
carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide
According to data from Project Drawdown, the Food sector has the highest potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Which practices or technologies are most likely to be categorized as a solution in the Food sector? Examine the Project Drawdown data focusing on the billions of tons of CO2 - equivalent emissions reduced. You can see that the Energy sector and the Land Use and Forests sector have the second and third highest potential, respectively, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ho
Promoting conservation agriculture that uses cover crops, crop rotation, and minimal tilling; Improving farm irrigation efficiency by using drip and sprinkler irrigation; Reducing food waste 60%
Which of the following statements about the United States is correct regarding the Kyoto Protocol?
The United States is the only industrialized nation to refuse to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
If the scientific community is convinced of the evidence for global climate change, why is there still debate?
The debate continues over how to address climate change in political and economic arenas.
How can the actions of packrats serve as proxy indicators of climate change?
The packrat middens (dens) preserve plant parts for centuries.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that physical, biological, and economic evidence confirms global climate change due to human-produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earth's carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon
These industries produce the most greenhouse gases.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather occurs over hours and days, and climate occurs over seasons and years.
How long have accurate measurements of Earth's climate been recorded?
a few hundred years at most
Which phenomenon causes the greatest amount of radiative forcing expressed as a cooling effect?
aerosols
A substance that may contribute to atmospheric warming or cooling is __________.
aerosols (particularly sulfur compounds) and dusts Submit
Which is a predicted impact of climate change in the United States?
an increase in the rate of melting permafrost in Alaska
Which of these would be an example of mitigation rather than adaptation for global climate change?
building more wind turbines to generate energy from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels
Human sources of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere include all the following EXCEPT ________.
burning fuel wood
Which of the following are market mechanisms for addressing climate change?
cap-and-trade and carbon offsets
The predominant greenhouse gas produced by human use of fossil fuels is __________.
carbon dioxide
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that physical, biological, and economic evidence confirms global climate change due to human-produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earth's carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon
compressed natural gas
In 1991, the massive eruption of Mt. Pinatubo caused global temperatures to __________. When we compare the catastrophic eruption in Sumatra 71,000 years ago and the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, we find that __________. What are some of the risks involved in adding one million tons of sulfur 25 kilometers up into the atmosphere? Increasing sulfur levels in the upper atmosphere would have the same effect as __________.
drop, because sulfur in the stratosphere reflects solar radiation both eruptions caused a drop in the average temperatures across the Earth All of the listed choices describe the risks involved in adding sulfur to the atmosphere. decreasing the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
The largest source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the United States is ________.
electricity generation
The concentrations of greenhouse gases present in the past have been evaluated using __________.
gas bubbles trapped in ice.
Which of the following have the ability to absorb energy from Earth's surface and then emit infrared radiation in all directions?
greenhouse gases
Which type of emission did the Kyoto Protocol seek to limit?
greenhouse gases
Recent research indicates that the variation in solar output ________.
is less than any of the anthropogenic factors affecting climate change
What is the planet's albedo?
its ability to reflect light
Which of the following is an example of mitigation?
making legislation to reduce our use of fossil fuels
Which strategy are we using, as a global community, if we decide to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and reduce climate change as much as possible?
mitigation
Which of these would NOT contribute to a global increase in temperature? Switching from fossil fuels to _____ energy would significantly decrease the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
planting trees solar, nuclear, and geothermal
Which type of indirect evidence can substitute for direct measurements of past climate change?
proxy indicators
Which of the following is a mitigation approach to climate change?
replanting forests
Your aunt works for a municipality providing drinking water to citizens from the Biscayne Aquifer in south Florida. Which of the following is likely to be her biggest problem? Based on federal budget proposals, which of the following is true? Your grandparents live in south Florida. Which of the following climate threats are they most likely to have to pay for out of their own pockets? You oversee sand replenishment for Miami Beach. Where will you most likely be obtaining sand from? Which of
salt water seeping into the aquifer The Everglades Restoration Plan will not be completed for many years. Hurricane preparation Somewhere in the United States, as that is the law. As the ocean warms, acidity increases as does the chance for red tide.
In the Arctic, scientists are using a device called the "rosette." The rosette helps the scientists __________. In the Arctic, factors that __________. What organisms, abundant in the Arctic ecosystem, produce about half the oxygen we breathe? Recent, warmer Arctic temperatures have meant that polar bears have __________.
sample water from surface to seabed reduce phytoplankton populations will most likely reduce fish populations phytoplankton less food and must spend more time swimming
The first document that called for voluntary reductions of greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000 was __________.
the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Submit
Ice that formed thousands of years ago is often found to contain tiny bubbles of gas. This gas came from __________. If we take a sample of ice from 10 meters beneath the surface and find that it is 1,000 years old, where would we need to look for ice that is about 10,000 years old? Which one of the following types of scientists would most likely be interested in the information we can learn from ice cores from Antarctica? Which of the following questions is best addressed by studying ice sam
the atmosphere much deeper, about 100 meters below the surface climatologists interested in climate change How have the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide changed in the last 100,000 years?