Environmental Geography Final

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projected a global temperature increase by the year 2100 of: a) 0º to 1.5ºC. b) 1.8º to 4.0ºC. c) 3º to 5.5ºC. d) 3.5º to 10.4ºC. e) none, they didn't actually make such a prediction.

1.8º to 4.0ºC

Where was ozone thinning first noticed? a) North America b) Europe c) Antarctica d) Arctic e) None of these choices is correct

Antarctica

The group of air pollutants that tends to cool the atmosphere are known collectively as: a) CFCs. b) ozone enhancers. c) nitrous oxides. d) atmospheric aerosols. e) anti-greenhouse gases.

Atmospheric aerosols

Two main reasons that the world grain stocks have dropped in the past few years are: a) bad weather and increased consumption of animal products. b) wars (conflicts) and political unrest. c) increased disease (e.g. AIDS) and bad weather. d) bad weather and wars. e) lower grain prices and political unrest.

Bad weather and increased consumption of animal products

Organisms that take CO2 out of the water and sequester it in the form of calcium carbonate are: a) increasing in numbers because of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. b) effectively serving as a sink for carbon dioxide. c) being threatened by the increasing acidity of the oceans from carbonic acid. d) disappearing at an alarming rate as oceans become more alkaline. e) converting the calcium carbonate to sulfuric acid.

Being threatened by the increasing acidity of the oceans from carbonic acid

The quantity of various grains remaining from previous harvests is known as: a) subsistence agriculture. b) food security. c) world grain stocks. d) yield. e) organic farming surplus.

World grain stocks

Which of the following organisms have already been negatively affected by global climate change? a) Mediterranean fruit flies b) tropical forests in Brazil c) zooplankton along the California coast d) nematodes in the soil

Zooplankton along the California coast

The two main human sources of primary air pollutants are: a) agriculture and residential sources. b) agriculture and industry. c) industry and incineration. d) industry and transportation. e) incineration and transportation.

Both b) agriculture and industry d) industry and transportation *there will be an option for both B and D on the exam*

Which of the following activities is responsible for the largest percentage of human-made carbon dioxide emissions? a) burning fossil fuels b) deforestation c) ozone depletion d) acid deposition e) agriculture

Burning fossil fuels

Land conversion, such as when tropical forests are logged or burned, releases what substance(s) into the air? a) carbon dioxide b) methane c) nitrous oxide d) chlorofluorocarbons e) sulfuric acid

Carbon dioxide

The greenhouse effect occurs because: a) greenhouse gases released interact chemically to produce excess heat. b) there are too many greenhouses scattered across the Earth's surface. c) carbon dioxide and other trace gases trap infrared radiation in the Earth's atmosphere. d) sulfur emissions from smokestacks and volcanoes continue to occur. e) the gases produced by human activities allow significantly more heat to pass out of the Earth's atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide and other trace gases trap infrared radiation in the Earth's atmosphere

The two atmospheric gases most important to humans and other organisms are: a) carbon dioxide and oxygen. b) hydrogen and oxygen. c) oxygen and argon. d) carbon dioxide and nitrogen. e) carbon monoxide and oxygen.

Carbon dioxide and oxygen

Which of the following technologies is responsible for reducing carbon monoxide emissions in auto exhaust by over 85%? a) carburetor b) catalytic converter c) muffler d) alternator e) engine air filter

Catalytic converter

Water shortages, frequent flooding, and heavy snow and rainstorms in some areas are a direct result of... a) melting ice caps b) changes in precipitation patterns c) rising sea levels d) agricultural byproducts e) none of these choices is correct

Changes in precipitation patterns

Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas? a) carbon dioxide b) methane c) water vapor d) chlorofluorocarbons e) sulfur oxide

Chlorofluorocarbons

Which ozone-depleting chemical is not matched with its proper use? a) chlorofluorocarbons - pesticide b) halons - fire extinguishers c) methyl chloroform - industrial solvent d) carbon tetrachloride - industrial manufacturing e) methyl bromide - pesticide

Chlorofluorocarbons - pesticide

The most common foods eaten in the world today are: a) corn (maize), rice, sweet potato, and wheat. b) barley, corn, rice, and wheat. c) corn, rice, and wheat. d) cassava, potato, rice, and wheat. e) corn, potato, soybean, and rice.

Corn, rice, and wheat

Which of the following is NOT a component of sustainable agriculture? a) organic farming b) integrated pest management c) water and energy conservation d) decreased biodiversity e) decreased pesticide use

Decreased biodiversity

All of the following are among the most important livestock species except: a) pigs. b) turkeys. c) chicken. d) cattle e) deer

Deer

Important environmental benefits provided by ecosystems, and which have been affected by industrial agriculture, are known as: a) evolution of genetics b) habitat exploitation c) ecosystem services d) natural products e) none of these choices is correct

Ecosystem services

_______ is a lung disease that causes breathlessness and wheezy breathing. a) Cataracts b) Diabetes c) Emphysema d) Hepatitis e) Meningitis

Emphysema

The difference between primary and secondary air pollutants is that primary air pollutants: a) only affect plants, while secondary pollutants affect plants and animals. b) are not harmful to humans, whereas secondary air pollutants may be toxic to humans. c) enter the atmosphere directly, whereas secondary pollutants form from other substances released into the atmosphere. d) are the direct result of natural processes, whereas secondary air pollutants are the result of human activity. e) are smaller, primary molecules.

Enter the atmosphere directly, whereas secondary air pollutants form from other substances released into the atmosphere

TRUE OR FALSE: According to the lectures, 2 of the most polluted places on the planet (air pollution) are Delhi India, and Los Angeles, California.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Animal agriculture and the production of feed for livestock, does not have a great impact on greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Chlorofluorocarbons are the ONLY ozone depleting substance.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Climate change is only a result of anthropogenic influences.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Famines are a PERMANENT and severe food shortage.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Largest concentration of homeless people is in San Francisco.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Monsanto is the only GM producing company.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Monsanto sells ROUNDUP READY seeds for corn crops only.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Photochemical Smog is an example of a primary pollutant.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: The leading cause of global climate change is the transportation industry.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: The most genetically modified crop is rice.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: There are only 2 major types of air pollutants.

False

TRUE OR FALSE: Volcanic eruptions release aerosols into the atmosphere, which have the power of WARMING the troposphere.

False

Air pollution has been linked to all of the following human health problems except: a) suppression of the immune system. b) increased susceptibility to West Nile virus. c) inflammation of the respiratory tract. d) potential development of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. e) impaired reflexes and increased drowsiness.

Increased susceptibility to West Nile virus

Chlorofluorocarbons such as CFC-12 are released into the atmosphere by: a) smoke stacks. b) car exhaust. c) leaking air conditioners and old refrigerators. d) pesticides. e) nuclear power plants.

Leaking air conditioners and old refrigerators

The stratospheric chemical that prevents much of the solar ultraviolet radiation from penetrating to Earth's surface is: a) carbon dioxide. b) water vapor. c) ozone. d) particulate matter. e) nitrogen oxides.

Ozone

What is the scientific name for the study of past climate?

Paleoclimatology

Fine solid or liquid substances suspended in the air are known as: a) primary air pollutants. b) particulate matter. c) hydrocarbons. d) secondary air pollutants. e) hazardous air pollutants.

Particulate matter

Urban areas receive less sunlight than rural areas, partly as a result of greater quantities of __________ in the air. a) ozone b) hydrocarbons c) particulate matter d) sulfur oxides e) nitrogen oxides

Particulate matter

Warmer temperatures leading to greater evaporation and higher concentration of atmospheric water vapor which leads to warmer air and ocean temperatures is an example of: a) negative feedback b) infrared radiation c) UV rays d) Greenhouse gasses e) Positive feedback

Positive feedback

The main cause of malnutrition is: a) poverty. b) inadequate global food production. c) polyculture. d) decreasing livestock yields. e) organic farming practices.

Poverty

What indicates the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere before large scale use of fossil fuels began? a) negative feedback b) preindustrial CO2 level c) post-fossil CO2 level d) emission scale e) none of these

Preindustrial CO2 level

Which of the following is not an environmental problem associated with industrialized agriculture? a) release of antioxidants b) soil erosion c) depletion of freshwater resources d) disposal of livestock wastes e) habitat loss

Release of antioxidants

Information from past climate can come from different sources such as.... (6 ways) *this question will be broken down into 2 or 3 questions*

Relic Soils Oceanic Sediments Tree Rings Ice Cores Coral Reefs Pollen Analysis

Which of the following causes sea levels to rise? a) droughts in the midwest b) Water is more reflective than ice c) retreat of glaciers d) ice absorbs more heat than water

Retreat of glaciers

Which of the following statements about the effects of global warming on agriculture is true? a) Global climate change may decrease the frequency of droughts. b) The warmer temperatures will result in increased soil moisture content in many agricultural soils. c) Global climate change will result in a global increase in agricultural productivity. d) Rising sea level may inundate some of the world's most productive agricultural lands. e) Warmer temperatures associated with global climate change will probably help to control agricultural pests.

Rising sea level may inundate some of the world's most productive agricultural lands

Excessive exposure to UV radiation has been linked to: a) the greenhouse effect. b) skin lesions. c) deforestation. d) declining aquatic plant populations. e) weakened eggshells in birds.

Skin lesions

The two areas of the world with the greatest food insecurity are: a) South America and South Asia. b) South America and sub-Saharan Africa. c) China and sub-Saharan Africa. d) South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. e) the Middle East and South Asia.

South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa

Which of the following is NOT linked to overexposure of UV radiation due to ozone thinning? a) eye cataracts b) sterility c) skin cancer d) weakened immunity e) ecosystem disruption

Sterility

Which of the following air pollutants is correctly paired with one of its major effects? a) sulfur oxides — acid precipitation b) carbon oxides — corrosion of metal c) hydrocarbons — reduced visibility d) nitrogen oxides — blocks UV radiation e) particulate matter — production of photochemical smog

Sulfur oxides — acid precipitation

Domesticated plants and animals: a) are characterized by high genetic diversity. b) are less likely to succumb to new strains of disease-causing organisms. c) tend to lose genetic diversity as the farmer selects for more desirable agricultural characteristics. d) can readily survive in both cultivated and wild (natural) settings. e) readily adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Tend to lose genetic diversity as the farmer selects for more desirable agricultural characteristics

Livestock is an expensive source of food because: a) it is particularly rich in protein. b) of the amount of land area needed to house the animals. c) the antibiotics and hormones needed to support high yield are exceedingly expensive. d) it is the preferred food source in many developing countries. e) animals are inefficient at converting plant food into meat.

The antibiotics and hormones needed to support high yield are exceedingly expensive

Modern cultivation methods combined with high-yielding varieties of certain popular crops to increase the amount of food produced per designated area characterizes: a) organic farming b) the green revolution c) chemical enhancement d) self-yielding farming e) none of these choices is correct

The green revolution

Lead in the atmosphere has decreased significantly since the 1970s primarily due to: a) new CAFE standards for automobiles. b) the invention of the catalytic converter. c) increased use of scrubbers in coal-fired power plants. d) the phasing out of leaded paint in buildings. e) replacing leaded gasoline with unleaded gasoline.

The invention of the catalytic converter

Which of the following statements about the U.S. Clean Air Act is true? a) The Clean Air Act of 1970 focused on about 200 air pollutants. b) The most dramatic improvement in air quality has been a reduction of lead in the atmosphere. c) Sulfur dioxide emissions since 1970 have been reduced by over 90%. d) The Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, but has not been updated since then. e) Urban areas have done the best job of meeting the standards for clean air.

The most dramatic improvement in air quality has been a reduction of lead in the atmosphere

Concern over the routine use of antibiotics in raising livestock centers around: a) the potential that bacterial resistance to antibiotics may increase as a result. b) violations of U.S. government policy that prohibits their indiscriminate use in livestock. c) the fact that the antibiotics may be toxic to small children. d) a tentative link between antibiotics and cancer. e) the excessively high concentrations of chemicals that are then found in the meat products.

The potential that bacterial resistance to antibiotics may increase as a result

TRUE OR FALSE: A primary pollutant is released unchanged directly into the atmosphere.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: An environmental impact of agriculture is loss of biodiversity .

True

TRUE OR FALSE: Democratic governments are more likely to get people fed.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: Famines can be a natural event, but also due to political instability.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: Food insecurity exists in every county in the US.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: Oceans can absorb a great deal of atmospheric CO2.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: Oceans can absorb ½- 1/3 or carbon created by humans.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: Polar stratospheric clouds are the catalyst to depletion of ozone in the stratosphere.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: The OZONE layer can be thought of as our natural sunscreen.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: The goal of GM foods is to get desirable genes from other organisms.

True

TRUE OR FALSE: World grain stocks can decline because of heat waves.

True

Which of the following ecosystems are NOT considered at greatest risk of loss of species in the short term? a) polar seas b) coral reefs c) tundra d) temperate forests e) coastal wetlands

Tundra

What country produces the most genetically modified crops? a) Germany b) Brazil c) Canada d) United States e) France

United States

Which of the following is a method used to prevent unburned gasoline vapors from being released into the atmosphere? a) vapor recovery b) catalytic afterburners c) vapor isolation d) volatile emission treatment e) none of these choices is correct

Vapor recovery

A process, either natural or man-made, that decreases the ability of land to support future crops or livestock is: a) habitat fragmentation b) slash-and-burn farming c) overgrazing d) marginal cultivation e) land degradation

Land degredation

All of the following affect ozone-related air quality in Southern California except: a) high temperatures. b) hydrocarbons. c) lead. d) sunlight. e) water vapor.

Lead

Which of the following is/are currently used to increase livestock yields in industrialized countries? a) maintaining a wide variety of genetically diverse livestock b) using genetically engineered foodstuffs c) implementing integrated pest management d) administering antibiotics and hormones e) increasing use of nomadic herding

Administering antibiotics and hormones

GM (genetically modified) crops and foods: a) may have higher nutritional value than the original product. b) may be resistant to pests, diseases, and stressful (weather)/climate conditions. c) may produce unexpected allergic reactions in some consumers. d) have been largely banned by the European Union. e) All of these choices are correct

All of these choices are correct

The decline in genetic diversity within a given variety of crop plant results in loss of: a) color variations. b) flavor differences. c) nutritional differences. d) size variations. e) All of these choices are correct

All of these choices are correct

According to Indian Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, what is the leading cause of hunger and famine? a) Soil degradation b) Per capita income c) Climate conditions d) Government type e) Access to education

Government type

Stratospheric ozone: a) is a pollutant. b) is composed of nitrogen. c) has been decreasing for several decades. d) is thinning because of sulfur oxide pollution. e) absorbs all of the incoming ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Has been decreasing for several decades

Photochemical smog: a) is sometimes called London-type smog. b) is generally worse during the winter months. c) is formed from chemical reactions involving sunlight, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. d) is caused primarily by industrial emissions. e) was more prevalent in the 1800s than the 1900s.

Is formed from chemical reactions involving sunlight, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons

Major thawing of glaciers and the polar ice caps: a) is occurring as the result of excess aerosols in the atmosphere. b) will only impact those few people that live within 150 km of a coastline. c) is the largest piece of evidence for global climate change d) will result in an estimated 150 cm increase in sea level by 2100, according to IPCC estimate. e) All of these statements are correct

Is the largest piece of evidence for global climate change

Which of the following is NOT true about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change? a) It summarizes the current state of knowledge and uncertainty of global climate change b) It provides the most definitive scientific statement about global climate change c) It concluded that human-produced pollutants have caused minimal climate warming d) It seeks input and review from climate experts e) None of these, all are true

It concluded that human-produced pollutants have caused minimal climate warming

The current rise in global sea level can be attributed to: a) the tectonic lowering of continents b) increases in rainfall c) increases in the flow of large rivers d) melting of glaciers e) increases in evaporation

Melting of glaciers

The agreement which called for a 50% reduction of CFC production by 1998 was the: a) Copenhagen Protocol. b) Montreal Protocol. c) Kyoto Protocol. d) Boston Protocol. e) Mexico City Protocol.

Montreal Protocol

All of the following are probable results of global climate change EXCEPT: a) more extreme weather patterns. b) extinction of some organisms. c) increases in sea level. d) higher global temperatures. e) more surface currents in the global ocean

More surface currents in the global ocean

The most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere is: a) argon. b) carbon dioxide. c) hydrogen. d) nitrogen. e) oxygen.

Nitrogen

Which of the following does NOT influence climate change? a) winds b) clouds c) albedo d) ocean currents e) none of these, all influence climate change

None of these, all influence climate change

Which of the following is the chemical formula for ozone? a) NO3 b) SO3 c) O2 d) CO2 e) O3

O3

Which of the following is not a predicted outcome of global climate change? a) higher global temperatures b) more extreme weather patterns c) extinction of some organisms d) rising sea levels e) ocean water becomes alkaline

Ocean water becomes alkaline