EVR Ch 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. 300 500 25 1000 200

300

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

50 times more

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? Milankovitch cycles weather radiative forcing climate

Milankovitch cycles

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

The oceans absorb less CO2.

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

aerosols (particularly sulfur compounds) and dusts

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

electricity generation; transportation

What information is presented on the y-axis of the graph? global surface warming, in °Fahrenheit global surface warming, in °Celsius time, in 100-year intervals global surface temperature, in °Celsius

global surface warming, in °Celsius

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

greater

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

greenhouse gases

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

have been slowly sequestered over many millions of years

Part complete Hydroelectric power generation ________. 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 has no undesirable environmental effects uses fuel cells to generate electricity

is an alternative to fossil fuels that produces fewer greenhouse gases

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

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 300,000,000 100,000 800,000 50,000

800,000

Which of the following areas is most likely to have the greatest rainfall? A region with a cool atmosphere. A region with a warm atmosphere. Temperature of the atmosphere does not impact rainfall amounts. A region with a very cold atmosphere.

A region with a warm atmosphere.

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. 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.

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

What are some of the risks involved in adding one million tons of sulfur 25 kilometers up into the atmosphere? damage to forests and other vegetation acid pollution of freshwater ecosystems more human deaths from respiratory disease All of the listed choices describe the risks involved in adding sulfur to the atmosphere.

All of the listed choices describe the risks involved in adding sulfur to the atmosphere.

Which country is currently the largest producer of greenhouse gases? China Mexico United States Russia

China

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

Glaciers in many areas are melting.

What did the climate meeting in Peru accomplish? Global leaders agreed on language for a future meeting on climate change. Global leaders signed a treaty to end fossil fuel use by 2100. Global leaders signed a treaty to limit fossil fuel use in developed nations. Global leaders signed a treaty to limit warming to 2° C.

Global leaders agreed on language for a future meeting on climate change.

Part complete Which of the following questions is best addressed by studying ice samples from Antarctica? View Available Hint(s) How have the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide changed in the last 100,000 years? How has the direction of the prevailing winds changed in the past 100 years? What diseases have impacted polar bears over the past 1,000 years? When did humans first inhabit South America?

How have the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide changed in the last 100,000 years?

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 anthropogenic increased uptake of CO2 by plants balances the extra anthropogenic release of CO2 into the atmosphere. The ocean is releasing more CO2 than it is absorbing. 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.

Human activities are sending more CO2 into the atmosphere than is moving from the atmosphere to the surface.

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

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

Part complete How is global warming most significantly affecting coral reefs and sea life? View Available Hint(s) 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. Global warming is heating the ocean's temperatures so that marine life is dying. Ozone in the water is killing marine life.

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

Current target goals for limiting temperature increase use which of the following as a baseline? Columbus' journey to the New World Beginning of World War II Industrial Revolution Beginning of World War I

Industrial Revolution

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

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

How did the global surface temperature change between 1900 and 2000? It decreased by about 0.7 °C. It increased by about 0.7 °C. It increased by about 0.7 °F. It remained relatively constant.

It increased by about 0.7 °C.

If, as some scientists predict, 2016 is like 2015, which of the following will be true? It will be the second warmest year on record for the United States and for the world. It will be the warmest year on record for the United States and the second warmest for the world. It will be the warmest year on record for the United States and for the world. It will be the second warmest year on record for the United States and the warmest for the world.

It will be the second warmest year on record for the United States and the warmest for the world.

According to the Business as Usual scenario, how will the global surface temperature change in the century between 2000 and 2100? It will increase by about 2.0 °C. It will increase by about 2.0 °F. It will increase by about 3.5 °C. It will increase by about 3.5 °F. It will increase by about 4.5 °C.

It will increase by about 3.5 °C.

Part complete 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 Northeast--damage to urban infrastructure Northwest--degrading forests

Northwest--degrading forests

If warming continues as predicted, which of the following will happen? Sea levels will fall and the oceans will absorb more heat. Sea levels will fall and the oceans will absorb less heat. Sea levels will rise and the oceans will absorb less heat. Sea levels will rise and the oceans will absorb more heat.

Sea levels will rise and the oceans will absorb more heat.

In 2006-2007 there was a weak El Niño. Which of the following was most likely true? No heat was released from the Pacific Ocean. Record heat was absorbed by the Pacific Ocean. Record heat was released from the Pacific Ocean. Some heat was released from the Pacific Ocean.

Some heat was released from the Pacific Ocean.

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

Which of the following is true? The equatorial regions are warming more than all other regions. The mid-latitude regions are warming more than all other regions. All areas of the planet are warming equally. The polar regions are warming more than all other regions.

The polar regions are warming more than all other regions.

According to scientific data, which of the following is most likely true? The rate of global warming tends to stay the same. The rate of global warming only slows. The rate of global warming can speed up or slow down. The rate of global warming only speeds up.

The rate of global warming can speed up or slow down.

If trends continue, which of the following will occur? There will be slightly below average rainfall in the eastern United States. There will be more intense rainfall events in the eastern United States. There will be slightly above average rainfall in the eastern United States. There will be more intense droughts in the eastern United States.

There will be more intense rainfall events in the eastern United States.

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

These industries produce the most greenhouse gases.

Which of the following statements about the sun's energy is true? 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. 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.

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

Which prediction has the greatest degree of certainty? Sustainable World Business as Usual Today's World

Today's World

What does the yellow line represent? Today's World: The amount of global warming that is likely to occur if CO2 emissions cease immediately and CO2 concentrations continue at their current level. Business as Usual: The amount of global warming that is likely to occur if governments and individuals take no action to slow the increase in CO2 emissions. Sustainable World: The amount of global warming that is likely to occur if governments and individuals take significant actions to slow the increase in CO2 emissions.

Today's World: The amount of global warming that is likely to occur if CO2 emissions cease immediately and CO2 concentrations continue at their current level.

What is the difference between weather and climate? Weather and climate are used interchangeably. Weather occurs over seasons and years, while climate occurs over hours and days. Weather occurs in the northern hemisphere, while climate occurs in the southern hemisphere. 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? an increase in Earth's average surface temperature a change in Earth's climate an increase in the concentration of atmospheric gases 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

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

an increase in tropospheric CO2 from the 1950s to present

Part complete Milankovitch cycles ________. are changes in Earth's rotation and orbit around the sun that may trigger climate variation refer to shifts in the temperature of surface water in the middle latitudes of the Pacific Ocean describe upwelling and downwelling in the 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

When we compare the catastrophic eruption in Sumatra 71,000 years ago and the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, we find that __________. they had opposite effects: the Sumatra eruption caused cooling and the 1991 eruption increased average global temperatures they had opposite effects: the Sumatra eruption increased acid rain and the 1991 eruption decreased acid rain the Sumatra eruption had a global effect, but the 1991 eruption only affected a small portion of the Earth both eruptions caused a drop in the average temperatures across the Earth

both eruptions caused a drop in the average temperatures across the Earth

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

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? cap-and-trade fee-and-dividend carbon capture carbon tax

cap-and-trade

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

cap-and-trade and carbon offsets

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

carbon dioxide

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

carbon-neutrality

Part complete 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

Which one of the following types of scientists would most likely be interested in the information we can learn from ice cores from Antarctica? anthropologists interested in the evolution of human's use of tools zoologists studying amphibians criminologists climatologists interested in climate change

climatologists interested in climate change

Increasing sulfur levels in the upper atmosphere would have the same effect as __________. increasing the intensity of solar radiation decreasing the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere decreasing the acidity of the oceans all of the listed choices

decreasing the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere

In 1991, the massive eruption of Mt. Pinatubo caused global temperatures to __________. increase, because lava is extremely hot and adds this heat to the air increase, because sulfur in the stratosphere absorbed solar radiation drop, because sulfur in the stratosphere reflects solar radiation drop, because the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere destroyed the ozone layer

drop, because sulfur in the stratosphere reflects solar radiation

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

electricity generation and transportation

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

gas bubbles trapped in ice

Part complete 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 ________. the heat given off by the power plant would give him higher than expected readings his measurements of CO2 levels would likely be much higher than in 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 lower than a place like Mauna Loa his measurements of CO2 levels would likely be about the same as a place like Mauna Loa

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

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ________. 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 performed the research included in the climate change findings constructed the Kyoto Protocol

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

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

is changing as a result of natural and human processes

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

it might hurt the economy

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

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 lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used to postpone measures to prevent major environmental degradation caution should be used in handling hazardous wastes all alternative sources of energy should be evaluated by the scientific community before marketing 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 wearing cooler clothing moving inland as sea levels rise 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. sulfur oxides ozone methane sulfate aerosols carbon dioxide

methane

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

methane

The atmosphere around Earth can cause global warming because ________. fossil fuels release heat 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

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

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? View Available Hint(s) about five meters below the surface a little deeper, about 12 meters below the surface much deeper, about 100 meters below the surface about one meter below the surface

much deeper, about 100 meters below the surface

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

nitrous oxide

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

oceans

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

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

Part complete Which of these would NOT contribute to a global increase in temperature? deforestation increasing the use of gasoline-burning vehicles increasing the industrial release of carbon dioxide planting trees increasing the amount of animal life on Earth

planting trees

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

political influence of the petroleum, coal and automobile industries

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

proxy indicators

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

receding coastlines

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

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 ________. permitted the purchase of "wind certificates" provided subsidies for renewable energy required reduced carbon dioxide emissions required reduced nitrogen oxide emissions prohibited importation of goods from nations that pollute

required reduced nitrogen oxide emissions

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

riding a bike

Switching from fossil fuels to _____ energy would significantly decrease the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. solar nuclear geothermal solar and geothermal solar, nuclear, and geothermal

solar, nuclear, and geothermal

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

the Arctic and subarctic

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

the United States is a major producer of greenhouse gases

Ice that formed thousands of years ago is often found to contain tiny bubbles of gas. This gas came from __________. water vapor released from melting ice tiny phytoplankton that lived in the water before it froze the atmosphere tiny zooplankton that lived in the water before it froze

the atmosphere

Which line is not a computer-generated forecast? the black line representing 20th century data the yellow line representing Today's World the red line representing Business as Usual the blue line representing a Sustainable World

the black line representing 20th century data

Carbon dioxide is ________. the only greenhouse gas presently increasing in the atmosphere the most abundant greenhouse gas the most potent (per molecule of gas) of the greenhouse gases more potent (per molecule of gas) than methane 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? View Available Hint(s) the sun, the ocean, and the stars the sun, the stars, and the moon the sun, the moon, and the stars the sun, the atmosphere, and the ocean

the sun, the atmosphere, and the ocean

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

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 warming; reflecting cooling; absorbing cooling; radiating

warming; absorbing

The Kyoto Protocol ________. required increases in nuclear power generation would have resulted in overall increases in greenhouse emissions required equal concessions from all countries involved in greenhouse gas emission increased federal funding for controlling greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. power plants 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