Environmental modules 11-14
Over the long-term, our planet's climate varies naturally. Temperature records from ice cores show that these cycles of warming and cooling each lasted for about
100,000 years
The world's urban population has been growing steadily since the industrial revolution. When did the number of people living in urban areas (cities and suburbs) surpassed the number of people living in rural areas?
2007
What percentage of the U.S. population currently live in suburbs (smaller communities that ring cities)?
50%
What percentage of the U.S. population currently live in urban areas (cities and suburbs)?
80% of the U.S. population live in urban areas
The effects of various climate forcings combine to produce the net radiative forcing, which is the difference between insolation (sunlight) absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated (lost) back to space. Which of the following options are correct regarding the effects of a NEGATIVE radiative forcing on Earth's climate? (mark all that applies)
A negative radiative forcing means Earth receives LESS incoming energy from sunlight than it radiates to space A negative radiative forcing means a net LOSS of energy A negative radiative forcing will cause COOLING of the planet
The figure below shows the impact that dense urban areas can have on local temperatures, the so-called urban heat island effect. Based on your understanding of the heat island effect, which urban/suburban/rural district is indicated by number 4 in the figure?
A park district
The effects of various climate forcings combine to produce the net radiative forcing, which is the difference between insolation (sunlight) absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated (lost) back to space. Which of the following options are correct regarding the effects of a POSITIVE radiative forcing on Earth's climate? (mark all that applies)
A positive radiative forcing will cause WARMING of the planet A positive radiative forcing means a net GAIN of energy A positive radiative forcing means Earth receives MORE incoming energy from sunlight than it radiates to space
The figure below shows the impact that dense urban areas can have on local temperatures, the so-called urban heat island effect. Based on your understanding of the heat island effect, which urban/suburban/rural district is indicated by number 5 in the figure?
A suburban residential district
The figure below shows the main sources and sinks of CO2 (in billions of metric tonnes of carbon per year - PgC/y). Based on your understanding of carbon sources and sinks, which of the following amounts of carbon is released into the atmosphere every year by DEFORESTATION?
About 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon per year
Water may seem abundant, but drinkable water is rare. What percentage of Earth's water is fresh, with very few dissolved salts?
About 2.5% is freshwater
The figure below shows Earth's energy budget. According to this figure, what percentage of the total incoming solar radiation is absorbed by Earth's ATMOSPHERE only?
About 20% is absorbed by the atmosphere
The figure below shows the main sources and sinks of CO2 (in billions of metric tonnes of carbon per year - PgC/y). Based on your understanding of carbon sources and sinks, what is the percentage of anthropogenic carbon that is "sequestered" by the world's oceans?
About 24% of anthropogenic carbon is removed from the atmosphere by the oceans
The figure below shows Earth's energy budget. According to this figure, what percentage of the total incoming solar radiation is reflected by Earth's surface AND atmosphere together?
About 31% is reflected by the atmosphere, clouds and aerosols
In the United States, urban and suburban areas are growing in both area and population. How many acres of land are replaced by buildings and roads everyday in the U.S.?
About 7,000 acres of land are replaced by buildings and roads every day
American cities grew rapidly in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of immigration from abroad and internal migration from rural to urban areas. The figure below shows the growth trend in the city of Portland (OR) between 1870 and 2015. Which of the following events is indicated by number 3 in the figure?
Adoption of the urban growth boundary
In most cities, wastewater is treated at sewage treatment plants. The wastewater treatment process involves a series of steps that remove solids, chemicals, and pathogens, before discharging the treated effluent into a waterway or reusing it for domestic supply. The THIRD step in the wastewater treatment process is
Aeration tanks where microbes consume organic matter
Long-term observations demonstrate the effects of global warming in the climate system. Annual temperatures in the U.S. have increased by an average of 1.8 degrees F since the early 1900s. Based on the figure below (changes in annual average temperature), which of the following states is experiencing the largest DECREASE in temperature over the last century?
Alabama
Rivers shape and are shaped by the landscape in which they run. Which of the following river landforms is indicated by number 3 in the figure below (from the Danube River)?
An oxbow lake
The world's urban population has been growing steadily since the industrial revolution. Which of the following options are correct regarding the difference in urbanization trends between developed and developing countries? (mark all that applies)
By 1950, RURAL populations in DEVELOPING countries were HIGHER than URBAN populations Since 1950, URBAN populations have grown faster in DEVELOPING countries By 1950, URBAN populations in DEVELOPED countries were HIGHER than RURAL populations
In most cities, wastewater is treated at sewage treatment plants. The wastewater treatment process involves a series of steps that remove solids, chemicals, and pathogens, before discharging the treated effluent into a waterway or reusing it for domestic supply. The LAST step in the wastewater treatment process is
Chemical treatment with chlorine or UV light to kill pathogens
In most cities, wastewater is treated at sewage treatment plants. The wastewater treatment process involves a series of steps that remove solids, chemicals, and pathogens, before discharging the treated effluent into a waterway or reusing it for domestic supply. Which of the following steps of the wastewater treatment process is represented by number 5 in the figure below?
Chemical treatment with chlorine or UV light to kill pathogens
The things that make cities safe, clean, healthy, and pleasant also make them more sustainable. Which of the following options are correct regarding the negative environmental impacts of urban living? (mark all that applies)
Cities need to import resources from far away and rely on fossil fuels to do so Cities rely on large expanses of land to produce the resources they need Cities consume the vast majority of world's resources and have a high ecological footprint
Providing transit options helps cities be more livable. Traffic jams cause air pollution, stress, lost time, and they cost the U.S. economy $74 billion/year. The figure below shows the operating costs for different modes of transit. Which of the following modes of transit is indicated by number 2 in the figure?
Commuter rail
Wastewater includes water that carries sewage from households, industries, and cities. Which of the following is the most popular method of wastewater disposal in rural areas?
Disposal in septic tanks
The Milankovitch cycles describe the collective effects of changes in the Earth's movements on the planet's climate over thousands of years. Taken in unison, variations in these three orbital cycles (eccentricity, obliquity, and precession) creates alterations in the seasonality of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Which of these Milankovitch cycles is represented in the figure below?
Eccentricity
Water pollution comes in many forms and causes diverse impacts. Which of the following options are considered point sources of water pollution? (mark all that applies)
Effluent pipe from a sewage treatment plant Effluent pipe from factories and disposal sites Oil spill from an oil tanker or and offshore platform
According to the figure below, which of the following options correctly describe the use of water in the United States?
Equally for industry and agriculture
Lakes and ponds may change over time as streams and runoff bring them sediment and nutrients. Which of the following options are correct regarding eutrophic lakes and ponds?
Eutrophic lakes and ponds have HIGH nutrient and LOW oxygen conditions
The longest city park in the United States (almost 8-miles long) is
Forest Park in Portland (OR)
American cities grew rapidly in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of immigration from abroad and internal migration from rural to urban areas. The figure below shows the growth trend in the city of Portland (OR) between 1870 and 2015. Which of the following events is indicated by number 1 in the figure?
Growth driven by the revitalization of the city center mod 11
Greenhouse gases absorb the infrared radiation and re-emit them in all directions, including back down towards the planet's surface. But different greenhouse gases differ in their ability to warm the troposphere and Earth's surface. Which of the following gases has the greatest global warming potential?
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC-23)
The figure below show modeled projections of future climate change under different scenarios of global carbon emissions, and the effects on global average temperature. Which of the following statements is correct, based on the lowest emissions scenario (RCP2.6)?
If future emissions are reduced to levels below the 1900 by 2100, global average temperatures will only increase by about 2 degrees F
The world's urban population has been growing steadily since the industrial revolution. Which of the following options is true regarding the growth of urban and rural population since 1950? (mark all that applies)
In 1950, more than HALF the global population lived in RURAL areas Since 1950, the URBAN population has multiplied by more than FIVE times Since 1950, the RURAL population has not even DOUBLED
Our use of freshwater has doubled over the last 50 years. In order to prevent freshwater scarcity in the future, we can either increase supply or reduce demand. Which of the following options indicate a way to increase the global supply of freshwater in the future?
Increase the use of desalination technology
People flock to cities in search of jobs, or as refugees fleeing wars and ecological damage. There are 23 megacities in the world, in which the metropolitan area has over 10 million people. Which of the following American metropolis is part of this list of megacities? (mark all that applies)
Los Angeles, CA New York, NY
Our use of freshwater has doubled over the last 50 years. In order to prevent freshwater scarcity in the future, we can either increase supply or reduce demand. Which of the following options indicate a way to reduce global demand for freshwater in the future? (mark all that applies)
Match crops to the local land and climate conditions Use technology to produce crops that require less water Prevent leaks by lining irrigation canals Use more efficient irrigation methods Lower residential and industrial uses Level agricultural fields to reduce runoff
The atmosphere is the most unstable and rapidly changing part of the climate system. Some atmospheric gases have little to no interaction with either the incoming solar radiation or the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth, while others (the so-called greenhouse gases) strongly interacts with these forms of radiation. Which of the following atmospheric gases are considered greenhouse gases? (mark all that applies)
Methane (CH4) Ozone (O3) Nitrous oxide (N2O) Carbon dioxide (CO2) Water vapor (H2O)
People affect aquatic ecosystems and human health when we introduce toxic substances and diseases. Which of the following options are correct regarding freshwater pollution? (mark all that applies)
More than half of U.S. streams and rivers are in poor condition Half of the world's major rivers are seriously depleted and polluted Preventing freshwater pollution is easier and more effective than mitigating it later
Research has show that sprawl has some impacts/consequences. Which of the following options correctly indicates these impacts? (mark all that applies)
More traffic accidents and increasing dependence on fossil fuels People are forced to own cars and drive long distances Loss of natural land, open space, and farmland More air and water pollution
Which of the following options is correct regarding the "new urbanism" approach to city planning? (mark all that applies)
Most of a family's needs can be met without needing to use a car Promotes green spaces, mixed architecture, and creative street layouts Neighborhoods are designed on a walkable scale Homes, businesses, and schools are close together
The Milankovitch cycles describe the collective effects of changes in the Earth's movements on the planet's climate over thousands of years. Taken in unison, variations in these three orbital cycles (eccentricity, obliquity, and precession) creates alterations in the seasonality of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Which of the following Milankovitch cycles has a periodicity of about 41,000 years?
Obliquity
Which of the following are accepted evidence from ocean scientists that our climate is changing? (mark all that applies)
Ocean scientists have recorded increasing ocean acidity over time Ocean scientists have recorded higher frequency and intensity of coral reef die-offs Ocean scientists have recorded increasing ocean temperatures over time
Which of the following option are correct regarding bottled water? (mark all that applies)
Only 1 in 5 water bottles are recycled The price of 1 gallon of bottled water is up to 10,000 times higher than tap water 40% of all bottled water is taken from the tap
American cities grew rapidly in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of immigration from abroad and internal migration from rural to urban areas. The figure below shows the growth trend in the city of Portland (OR) between 1870 and 2015. Which of the following events is indicated by number 2 in the figure?
Population exodus to the suburbs
In most cities, wastewater is treated at sewage treatment plants. The wastewater treatment process involves a series of steps that remove solids, chemicals, and pathogens, before discharging the treated effluent into a waterway or reusing it for domestic supply. The SECOND step in the wastewater treatment process is
Primary clarifier tanks to remove oils, greases, and small solids
The effects of climate change are already being felt and will continue over the coming decades. There are two major ways to reduce the long-term risks of climate change: mitigation and adaptation. Adoption of MITIGATION measures may be promoted through which of the following policy instruments? (mark all that applies)
Provide subsidies such as tax incentives and rebates Create a market for emissions pricing and trade (cap-and-trade) Promote public and private funding for research, development and demonstration of new technologies Regulate emissions through technology requirements, building codes, and emissions standards
Water pollution comes in many forms and causes diverse impacts. Which of the following options are considered NON-point sources of water pollution? (mark all that applies)
Road salt, oil ,and chemicals from urban runoff Fertilizers and pesticides from farmlands and feedlots Nutrients from urban lawns and golf courses
In most cities, wastewater is treated at sewage treatment plants. The wastewater treatment process involves a series of steps that remove solids, chemicals, and pathogens, before discharging the treated effluent into a waterway or reusing it for domestic supply. Which of the following steps of the wastewater treatment process is represented by number 1 in the figure below?
Screen filtration to remove large solid objects and grit
The world's urban population has been growing steadily since the industrial revolution. Which of the following options is true regarding the growth of urban and rural population since 1950? (mark all that applies
Since 1950, the RURAL population has not even DOUBLED Since 1950, the URBAN population has multiplied by more than FIVE times In 1950, more than HALF the global population lived in RURAL areas
Marine organisms play a critical ole in the global carbon cycle via the biological carbon pump. Which of the following steps of this biological pump is represented by number 6 in the figure below?
Sinking of particulate matter and organic carbon into the deep ocean
Smart growth is the concept of using urban growth boundaries and other land use policies to control sprawl. Which of the following options correctly indicate the principles of "smart growth"? (mark all that applies)
Smart growth focuses development and investment in existing urban communities, i.e., building on empty or underutilized lots Smart growth promotes using compact designs, i.e., building UP rather than OUT Smart growth promotes mixing land uses, i.e., placing commercial and residential developments near one another
Which of the following options is correct regarding the urbanization phenomenon called sprawl? (mark all that applies)
Sprawl is the spread of LOW-density urban/suburban development OUTWARD from an urban center
Treating wastewater help to reduce freshwater pollution. Which of the following legislative/regulatory efforts made it illegal to discharge pollution without a permit and funded the construction of sewage treatment plants around the country?
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972
What is the name of the world's largest known aquifer, located beneath the Great Plains in the United States?
The Ogallala Aquifer
Which of the following climate zones is indicated by color number 2 in the image below?
The cold climate zone
The figure below shows the radiative forcing components that determine Earth's climate. Which of the following climate forcings is indicated by color number 4 in the figure below?
The dust forcing
The figure below shows the radiative forcing components that determine Earth's climate. Which of the following climate forcings is indicated by color number 5 in the figure below?
The greenhouse gas forcing
Lakes and ponds are bodies of open, standing surface water. Which of the following zones common to these water bodies is indicated by number 2 in the figure below?
The limnetic zone
Scientists have understood the fundamental physics of climate change for almost 200 years. In the figures below, the colored lines show both the natural and anthropogenic drivers (forcings) causing the observed change (black line) in global average temperatures. Based on these figures, which of the following statements is correct? (mark all that applies)
The long-term warming trend in global average temperature can only be explained by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors Anthropogenic (human) factors have the biggest influence on the long-term warming trend in global average temperature
One example of historical city planning in the U.S. was Edward Bennett's 1912 Greater Portland Plan. Which of the following options are correct regarding this plan? (mark all that applies)
The plan established civic centers in the downtown area The plan recommended dredging the river channel The plan recommended rebuilding the Portland harbor The plan recommended building wide boulevards over the old city street grid
One example of historical city planning in the U.S. was Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago. Which of the following options are correct regarding this plan? (mark all that applies)
The plan streamlined traffic systems The plan cleared industry and railroads from the lakeshore The plan expanded parks and playgrounds The plan provided public access to Lake Michigan
Aquifers are porous, spongelike formations of rock, sand, or gravel that hold water underground. Which of the following options are correct regarding the aquifer's recharge zone?
The recharge zone is any area where water infiltrates Earth's surface and reaches aquifers
Which of the following climate zones is indicated by color number 5 in the image below?
The tropical climate zone
Aquifers are porous, spongelike formations of rock, sand, or gravel that hold water underground. Which of the following options are correct regarding the different zones of an aquifer? (mark all that applies)
The zone of aeration is where pore spaces are only partly filled with water The zone of saturation is where pore spaces are completely filled with water
Aquifers are porous, spongelike formations of rock, sand, or gravel that hold water underground. Which of the following options are correct regarding the different zones of an aquifer? (mark all that applies)
The zone of saturation is where pore spaces are completely filled with water The zone of aeration is where pore spaces are only partly filled with water
Planners can use urban growth boundaries (UBGs) to put limits on sprawl. Which of the following options are correct regarding the results of UBG implementation? (mark all that applies)
UBGs increase housing demand within their boundaries UBGs preserve farmland and natural habitat UBGs increase housing prices within their boundaries
Planners can use urban growth boundaries (UBGs) to put limits on sprawl. Which of the following options are correct regarding the results of UBG implementation? (mark all that applies)
UBGs revitalize the downtown inner city UBGs prevent urban sprawl UBGs concentrate development
Zoning is a key tool for planning. Which of the following options are correct regarding zoning? (mark all that applies)
Zoning involves government restriction on the use of private land Zoning involves classifying areas for different types of land use and development Zoning prioritizes the development of mixed use (residential-commercial) clusters
Rivers shape and are shaped by the landscape in which they run. A river that flows as an interconnected series of watercourses through steep slopes is called
a braided river
The figure below shows the impact that dense urban areas can have on local temperatures, the so-called urban heat island effect. Based on your understanding of the heat island effect, which urban/suburban/rural district is indicated by number 3 in the figure?
a downtown business district
Rivers shape and are shaped by the landscape in which they run. A river that develop a series of regular sinuous curves, bends, loops, turns, or windings in the river channel, and flows through relatively flat areas, is called
a meandering river
By the mid-1900s, immigration and trade had increased urbanization. This led to an increase in crowding, poverty, and crime in large cities, which was then followed, in the 1950s-1970s, by
affluent people moving to suburbs
Which of the following sectors use the most water?
ag sector
A dam is any obstruction placed in a river or stream to block the flow of water. They create reservoirs (artificial lakes) and have many benefits and costs. Which of the following options correctly indicate the COSTS of dams? (mark all that applies)
all
Green buildings are structures that use technologies and approaches to minimize the ecological footprints of building construction and operation. Which of the following options are correct regarding ways in which green buildings minimize energy and water use? (mark all that applies)
all
Green buildings are structures that use technologies and approaches to minimize the ecological footprints of building construction and operation. Which of the following options are correct regarding ways in which green buildings save resources and control pollution? (mark all that applies)
all
The Ohio River watershed drains parts of which of the following U.S. states? (mark all that applies)
all
The effects of climate change are already being felt and will continue over the coming decades. There are two major ways to reduce the long-term risks of climate change: mitigation and adaptation. Which of the following options describe the MITIGATION pathways to avoid or reduce these risks? (mark all that applies)
all
Which of the following are benefits of urban parklands and green spaces? (mark all that applies)
all
Mass transit systems have a number of obvious advantages over the private automobile: they are more efficient, save fuel, reduces congestion, air pollution, and the city's ecological footprint. Strong, visionary political leadership is needed to expand mass transit options in cities. What are the ways in which governments can encourage mass transit? (mark all that applies)
all Governments can tax inneficient modes of transportation Governments can charge trucks for road damage Governments can raise fuel taxes and phase out subsidies Governments can reward carpoolers Governments can encourage bicycle use and bus ridership
Smart growth is the concept of using urban growth boundaries and other land use policies to control sprawl. Which of the following options correctly indicate the principles of "smart growth"? (mark all that applies)
all Smart growth aims to preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas Smart growth aims to encourage community collaboration in development decisions Smart growth aims to create walkable neighborhoods Correct! Smart growth aims to create a range of housing opportunities and choices Smart growth aims to provide a variety of transportation choices
Different areas possess different amounts of freshwater, and people are not distributed in accordance with water availability. Which of the following continents has the most water but the least water available per person?
asia
Providing transit options helps cities be more livable. Traffic jams cause air pollution, stress, lost time, and they cost the U.S. economy $74 billion/year. The figure below shows the operating costs for different modes of transit. Which of the following modes of transit is indicated by number 3 in the figure?
heavy rail
Providing transit options helps cities be more livable. Traffic jams cause air pollution, stress, lost time, and they cost the U.S. economy $74 billion/year. The figure below shows the operating costs for different modes of transit. Which of the following modes of transit is indicated by number 4 in the figure?
light rail
According to the figure below, which of the following U.S. states have lost more than 80% of their wetlands since the founding of the country? (mark all that applies)
missoruri and lowa ohio indiana
mod 11
mod 11
Providing transit options helps cities be more livable. Traffic jams cause air pollution, stress, lost time, and they cost the U.S. economy $74 billion/year. The figure below shows the energy consumption for different modes of transit. Which of the following modes of transit is indicated by number 1 in the figure?
mod 11 public bus
In most cities, wastewater is treated at sewage treatment plants. The wastewater treatment process involves a series of steps that remove solids, chemicals, and pathogens, before discharging the treated effluent into a waterway or reusing it for domestic supply. Which of the following steps of the wastewater treatment process is represented by number 4 in the figure below?
mod 12 Secondary clarifier tanks to remove oils, greases, and small solids
Since the 1970s, underfunded and understaffed state and federal regulatory agencies have succumbed to pressure by industries and politicians, leading to numerous violations of the Clean Water Act. An investigative report in 2009 revealed that the number of documented violations in the U.S. were
over 100,000 documented violations per year
Providing transit options helps cities be more livable. Traffic jams cause air pollution, stress, lost time, and they cost the U.S. economy $74 billion/year. The figure below shows the energy consumption for different modes of transit. Which of the following modes of transit is indicated by number 1 in the figure?
public bus
In many places, we are withdrawing water at unsustainable rates. Regions indicated by number 5 in the figure below correspond to
regions where there is LITTLE OR NO use of water supplies
In many places, we are withdrawing water at unsustainable rates. Regions indicated by number 3 in the figure below correspond to
regions where there is LOW overuse of water supplies
In many places, we are withdrawing water at unsustainable rates. Regions indicated by number 2 in the figure below correspond to
regions where there is MODERATE overuse of water supplies
The figure below shows the impact that dense urban areas can have on local temperatures, the so-called urban heat island effect. Based on your understanding of the heat island effect, which urban/suburban/rural district is indicated by number 1 in the figure?
rural district
start of mod 13
start of mod 13
The figure below shows the impact that dense urban areas can have on local temperatures, the so-called urban heat island effect. Based on your understanding of the heat island effect, which urban/suburban/rural district is indicated by number 2 in the figure?
sub comm district
Urban planning aim to design cities to maximize their efficiency, functionality, and beauty. Which of the following cities represents the first example of urban planning in the U.S.?
washington, DC
