ES 200 Tests
"Cahokia" is the name of the largest urban center of the Mississippian Culture which declined after 1250 AD due to natural resources depletion A) True B) False
A
According to Jessica Thomas, the business sector is at an inflection point, transitioning from a shareholder model of maximizing returns to a stakeholder model of making positive contributions to society. a) True b) False
A
Although not officially recognized by international scientific societies responsible for naming conventions of Earth's geologic history, many scientists think we are living in a new geologic history, many scientists think we are living in a new geologic epoch called the "Anthropocene" because the cumulative impact of human activities on the planet rivals that of geologic forces A) True B) False
A
An example of an ecological threshold (or tipping point) might be: A) The amount of water-column phosphorus that causes a lake to transition from a clear-water state to a turbid state due to high algal populations thriving on the nutrients B) The height at which grass grows too tall for the dominant herbivores to eat it C) The change in species composition with the change in elevation going up a high mountain
A
Climatic/atmospheric and non-climatic factors affecting agriculture include: 1) temperature, carbon dioxide, precipitation and ozone, and 2) soil fertility, irrigation/fertilization, demography, economics, and socio-politics A) True B) False
A
Direct evidence of climate change includes measurements of risng global temperature and melting of the cryosphere, whereas indirect (independent) evidence is change in ecosystems properties, such as latitudinal shifts in plant and animal distributions A) True B) False
A
Dose-response curves show that moderate temperatures (not too hot and not too cold) are best for a) Minimizing demand for electricity b) All different types of outcomes c) Minimizing violent crime d) All of the above
A
Drivers of coastal change include both human and climate-related factors, such as socio-economic development, sediment delivery (or its interruption), hypoxia, relative sea level rise, and storms A) True B) False
A
Global warming potential (GWP) is a way to rank the radiation absorbing power of a greenhouse gas. Which one of the following gases has the lowest GWP value? a. CO2 b. CH4 c. N2O d. Halocarbons e. Ozone
A
How have climate models shown that human activities have caused global average temperature to rise? a. Model results only match observations when human impacts, such as greenhouse gas concentrations, are included. b. Model results only match observations when human impacts, such as greenhouse gas concentrations, are excluded. c. Model results have not matched observations under any scenario. d. Variability in model results is too large to come to any conclusion about global warming at this time. e. None of the above are correct
A
In recent decades, drought has emerged as a major component of climate change that is killing forests directly, but it also interacts with other stress factors such as fire and insects to further harm forests, sometimes pushing them past "tipping points". A) True B) False
A
Leslie Holdridge, American botanist and climatologist, published a paper in 1947 on determination of world plant formations from simple climatic data A) True B) False
A
NC is comprised of major land regions that formed by different geological processes. The land region formed as a result of high sea levels is the: a. Coastal Plain b. Piedmont c. Triassic Basin d. Mountains e. Ridge and Valley
A
Plant C concentration is typically considered 50% of dry weight for calculating C budgets at the ecosystem or global scales, but can vary from the low 40s (%) to the low 50s (%) A) True B) False
A
Studies have shown that in North Carolina, sea level rise has risen about 3 m over the last 2,500 y A) True B) False
A
Temperature anomalies are used to summarize temperature data from around the world. Anomalies are calculated for individual weather stations on a given day by subtracting the temperature on that day from: a. a baseline of average temperature determined over a number of years from the same station for the day in question. b. a set of data where the extreme values have been eliminated because they differ too much from the average value. c. the average global temperature on that day. d. a temperature value determined using a proxy for the weather station. e. None of the above
A
The Andromeda Galaxy is: A) The sister galaxy to the Milky Way (our galaxy), 2,3 million light years away and the furthest object visible to the naked eye B) A type of candy bar that is way better than Milky Way candy bars C) 10 light years distant and full of billions of individual stars
A
The Keeling curve shows the relationship of ________________ concentration in the atmosphere over time. a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. nitrous oxide d. water vapor e. ozone
A
The Phanerozoic Eon: A) is comprised of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Eras, and spanned about 540 Ma to present B) is comprised of the Hadean, Archean, and Proterozoic Eras, and spanned 4.5 Ga to 540 Ma C) is comprised of the Cambrian, Jurassic, and Quaternary Eras, and spanned 2.5 Ga to 1.6 Ga
A
The U.S. uses oil or petroleum as its largest source of energy. In China, the largest energy source used is: a. coal b. oil or petroleum c. natural gas d. cement manufacturing e. burning of wood
A
The US Doe Spruce Project is an experiment that is looking at the effects of atmospheric CO2 (ambient up to 900 ppm) and temperature (ambient up to +9 C) on all aspects of forest C cycling in boreal spruce forests, especially soil processes A) True B) False
A
The chemical elements important to Life on Earth: A) Range mainly from hydrogen (H, atomic number 1) to iron (Fe, atomic number 26), and formed during nuclear fusion reactions in the interior of stars B) Were formed at the beginning on the Universe during the Big Bang C) Formed in Earth's molten interior and are very rare elsewhere in the Solar System or beyond
A
The current level of CO2 in the atmosphere is approximately 415 ppm. To avoid long-term global warming, we should keep CO2 levels below: a. 550 ppm b. 700 ppm c. 900 ppm d. 1000 ppm e. 1250 ppm
A
The definition of "biome" is: A) The world's major biological communities, classified according to the predominant vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment B) The zone at the Earth's surface comprised of air, land water in which organisms and ecosystems live C) The biological diversity of a given geographic area determined by the plants, animals, and microbes that occur there
A
The first US copper boom occurred in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (1840-1965) and holds lessons for today's society regarding environmental sustainability, human diversity and social justice, and environmental legacies to future generations A) True B) False
A
The mountain pine beetle is an example of: A) A native insect species that is expanding its range to higher latitudes due to the warming climate, with potential to devastate forests across northern Canada that were previously protected by cold winters B) An introduced invasive pest that is devastating forests in western North Carolina because it has no natural predators in North America C) An introduced beetle that is actually turning out to be good for the environment because it eats the unwanted hemlock wooly adelgid that is devastating hemlock trees along the US East Coast D) A species of pine beetle native to China that is ravaging forests across Europe
A
The purpose of the flexibility mechanisms in the Kyoto protocol was a) To decrease the cost of reducing emissions b) To ensure that emissions and therefore climate change were reduced in all parts of the world c) To ensure that both carbon and other types of greenhouse gas emissions were reduced d) All of the above
A
The sun emits radiation in the visible range while the Earth emits radiation in the infrared range. This is because: a. the sun is hotter than the Earth b. the sun is made of gas which causes the sun to emit its radiation in the visible range c. the dark surface of the earth absorbs all visible light so it can't irradiate anything we can see. d. Air pressure on the earth is too great for visible light to be emitted. It essentially pushes the light back into the earth. e. None of the above
A
Wetlands: A) Comprise only 2-3% of the land area, but store 18-30% of global soil ogranic C for 1,000s y B) Comprise 20-30% of the land area, but store 3-8% of global soil organic for 10s of y C) Comprise 50% of the land surface, and store 50% of global soil organic C for 1,000s of y D) Comprise 20-30% of the land surface, but do not store any soil organic C
A
Where in the atmosphere are the greenhouse gases found? a. Troposphere (approximately 0-6 miles) b. Stratosphere (6-30 miles) c. Mesosphere (30-55 miles) d. Thermosphere (55-87 miles) e. None of the above
A
Which of the following emits the most methane to the atmosphere: a. wetlands b. ruminant animals c. rice paddies d. termites e. fossil fuel burning
A
Which of the following include major greenhouse gases? a. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide b. oxygen, nitrogen, helium c. ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite d. carbon, chlorine, and bromine e. None of the above
A
Which statement best describes boreal forests? A) Cold, wet, boggy ecosystems that have accumulated C for millennia, especially in deep organic soils, that is highly vulnerable to high latitude warming/drying/fire, causing massive emission of CH4 and CO2, further forcing the climate system B) Warm and dry sub-tropical forest that are prone to periodic droughts, and increased fire activity from increase slash and burn agriculture among the rural poor, representing large CO2 emissions C) Temperate forests of central Asia that are experiencing enhanced NPP due to rising atmospheric CO2, increasing the global forest C sink by 27% and thereby providing a negative feedback to global warming D) None of the above
A
Which term is defined as follows: "actions taken to cut net emissions of greenhouse gases to reduce climate change." a) Mitigation b) Adaptation c) Neither
A
"Banded Iron Formations": A) Formed only in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, about 600,000 years ago, and are important to the local economy which today is based on iron mining B) Occur at many locations around the globe, and are composed of metamorphic rocks of alternating red and gray layers signifying the emergence of oxygenic (oxygen forming) photosynthesis with the evolution of cyanobacteria about 3.2 to 2.3 Ga C) Are a region of moon explored by Apollo 11 astronauts, who discovered they are rich in iron
B
"Greenwashing" refers to a) Greening a product line by choosing production practices that reduce emissions b) The gap between what companies claim and what they are actually doing to reduce their environmental impact c) Life-cycle analysis of the environmental impacts along an entire value chain D) None of the above
B
All "natural climate solutions" a) Could capture enough carbon from the atmosphere to ensure that temperatures do not rise more than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels b) Have at least some co-benefits like improved air or water quality c) Require setting aside land in natural ecosystems and not using it for agricultural production d) All of the above
B
As the Earth cooled over time, glaciers formed and advanced into the U.S. from Canada. This occurred during the ________________ epoch. a. Eocene b. Pleistocene c. Holocene d. Aridocene e. Glacialocene
B
Beaches, barrier island and sand dunes comprise the most common shoreline type globally, at about 75% of the world's coasts A) True B) False
B
Between 1998 and 2013, the carbon emission intensity of economies has a) Stayed about the same in most countries b) Decreased in most countries c) Increased in most countries d) Increased in about half of the world and decreased in the other half of the world
B
Climate change mitigation is considered a "public good" because it can only be achieved through coordinated action by nearly everyone in the world. a) True b) False
B
Climate models have been developed to better understand Earth's climate system. There are three major groups of models. One group of models includes computations of the various biogeochemical cycles that include the carbon cycle, sulphur cycle, and ozone. This group is best for simulating past and future climates, and the models it includes are the state of the art climate models. The name for this group of models is: a. Atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (AOGCM) b. Earth System Models (ESM) c. Earth System Models of Intermediate Complexity (EMIC) d. Global climate models of comprehensive scale (GCCS) e. General radiative forcing model for all Earth systems (GRFS)
B
Collective action problems can be solved by free riding. a) True b) False
B
Energy balance models for the Earth have shown that the amount of incoming energy from the sun is slightly greater than the amount of energy re-emitted back into space. As a result the Earth is warming. Where is most of the excess energy being stored? a. Atmosphere b. Ocean c. Land d. Ice e. Stratosphere
B
Extensive experimentation has shown that elevated atmospheric CO2 tends to decrease forest productivity, whereas high tropospheric O3 increases it A) True B) False
B
Human civilization developed during a period of exceptional variability in the world's climate (the Holocene epoch). a) True b) False
B
In the U.S. we produce more natural gas than any other fuel source. However, the major fuel we consume for our energy needs is: a. Natural gas b. Oil or petroleum c. Coal d. Biomass e. Hydroelectric
B
In the forest C cycle, ephemeral tree tissues: A) Are long-lived, including branches, coarse roots, stems, and stumps, and are shed and decompose in the soil on the time scale of years to decades B) Are short-lived, including foliage and fine roots, and are shed and decompose in the soil on an annual time scale C) Are fed upon by exotic invasive insect pests which causes them to disappear quickly D) Refers to all tree biomass in tropical ecosystems, which decomposes quickly due to the warm climate
B
Methane concentrations in the atmosphere have risen by 15% since 1980. Methane is formed when bacteria "eat" or decompose organic matter under anaerobic conditions. In addition to organic carbon, bacteria need ___________ to form methane. a. CH4 b. CO2 c. N2O d. CCl4 e. O2
B
Ocean acidification refers to the processes whereby the pH of the ocean water decreases (concentration of hydrogen ions increases (e.g. becomes more acidic)) due to the decomposition of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the euphotic zone A) True B) False
B
Over the past ten years, China has emitted the most carbon dioxide per person of any country. a) True b) False
B
Pre-Cambrian time: A) Comprises the Archean Eon, representing 1/2 of Earth's geologic history B) Comprises the Archean, Hadean, and Proterozoic Eons, about 4 Gy in duration, representing 7/8 of Earth's geologic history C) Comprises all time after the Cambrian Explosion, which is 1/5 of the total
B
Protection of human communities from extreme sea level, storm surges, flooding, etc., is an important service provided by coastal ecosystems, which may also simultaneously act to mitigate climate change and increase resilience to future hazards. What are the mechanisms by which this protection is achieved? A) Evapotranspiration of flood waters, enhanced albedo, coastal hypnoxia B) Energy dissipation/wave attenuation, C uptake/burial, sediment accretion/stabilization, vegetative growth C) Beach re-nourishment, construction of jetties and sea walls, building houses on the beach
B
REDD+ is based on trust, because it requires industrialized countries to pay developing countries to keep forests standing without any way to verify whether or not they are actually conserving their forests. a) True b) False
B
Sea level is expected to rise over the next 100 years. If the world experienced an RCP of 4.5 from the year 2000 to 2100, how much would sea level rise over this time period? a. 0 m b. 0.54 m c. 1 m d. 2 m e. 3 m
B
Stellar fusion is: A) The coming together of two different stars to produce multiple new "baby" stars by the process of stellar procreation B) The fusion of atomic nuclei under great temperature and pressure inside massive stars that gives rise to heavier elements necessary for Life on Earth such as Ca, Mn, Zn, and Mg (up to Fe) C) The mutual gravitational attraction of billions of stars to form new galaxies
B
The Cenozoic Era was the first era of the Phanerozoic Eon, 540-248 Ma, and comprised of the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian Periods A) True B) False
B
The Crab Nebula is: A) A really good seafood in downtown Raleigh B) A supernova in the constellation Taurus observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054 A.D. C) A supernova in the constellation Orion that was observed by U.S. astronomers in 1986
B
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) were established by business roundtables to help prevent greenwashing. a) True b) False
B
The UNFCCC is guided by the principle that all countries must contribute equally to climate change mitigation. a) True b) False
B
The acronym FACE stands for: A) Forced-Air Chilling Experiment B) Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment C) Fixed-Assimilation of Carbon Energy D) Foliage Area Compensation Excitation
B
The amount of greenhouse gas emissions per pound of meat is about the same for all types of livestock. a) True b) False
B
The average of temperature and precipitation over a 30-year period is used to define a region's climate. Two widespread climate types found in NC are: a. Boreal and Continental b. Oceanic and Humid Subtropical c. Mediterranean and Steppe d. Savanna and Rainforest e. None of the above
B
The biological pump can best be described as: A) CO2 being forced to great depths of the ocean water column by passage of high pressure weather systems B) Carbon and nutrient fluxes to great depths of the ocean water column, and eventual burial in sea floor sediments, due to "leakage" of marine food webs of the euphotic zone based on photosynthesis by phytoplankton, consumption by zooplankton, and higher trophic levels C) CO2 flux from the ocean surface layer, called the euphotic zone, to the atmosphere due to the the decomposition of fish, marine mammals, and other organisms increasing the water column CO2 concentration D) A large diesel-powered machine used to pump ocean storm surge flooding back into the seas from coastal cities due to large storms and sea level rise
B
The global heating imbalance is: A) Temporal variation in solar output which causes the Earth to receive more solar energy during summer than in winter B) Low latitudes receiving more solar radiation than high latitudes, due to shorter path length through the atmosphere and more direct angle of incidence, and which drives atmospheric and ocean circulation C) Caused by oceans absorbing more solar radiation than the land surface, which creates land and sea breezes D) Greater absorption of solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere, heating it from top to bottom
B
The isotopes of oxygen differ in the number of _____________ in their nucleus. a. Protons b. Neutrons c. Electrons d. Ions e. Photons
B
The phrase "Planet Earth Quo Vadis?" basically means: A) Earth is a small blue planet floating in an endless sea of dark nothingness B) Humans are at a crossroads between choosing to use science and a sense of justice to engineer a sustainable, equitable future or to continue mining the environment unsustainably C) We are all doomed to certain catastrophic failure of Earth's life sustaining processes by the year 2030
B
The similarities between carbon taxes and cap&trade systems include which of the following a) Both provide stable predictable prices b) Both encourage companies to find low-cost ways to reduce emissions c) Both ensure that emission reduction targets are met d) All of the above
B
Which statement best describes savannas/grasslands, and their responses to climate change? A) Savannas (tropics) and grasslands (temperature zone) occupy 70% of the land surface, and have so far shown little-to-no response to changing climatic conditions B) They occupy about 30% of the land surface and it appears are shifting towards higher abundance of trees due to changing fire regimes (e.g. fire is becoming less frequent) C) Savannas and grasslands occupy about 50% of the land surface and are showing signs of decreased NPP due to "equatorial cooling" under climate change D) None of the above
B
Which statement is most correct? A) The distribution of wetlands in North America is restricted to tidal zones along the East, Gulf, and West coasts B) There are up to 21 distinct wetland types distributed along coastlines and across the interior of North America, including bogs, mangroves, bottomland hardwood swamps, playas, and tidal wetlands C) North American wetlands occur mostly in the "Lower 48" contiguous United States, and are very rare in Canada
B
Which term is defined as follows: "actions taken to help cope with changing climate conditions and impacts." a) Mitigation b) Adaptation c) Neither
B
"The Cambrian Explosion": A) Was the greatest period of biological evolution and diversification in Earth's history B) Was comprised of many animals with hard body parts made of chitin and calcium carbonate that are well-preserved in the fossil record, making this one of the best understood periods in the history of life C) A and B D) Neither A nor B
C
A rigorous peer-review process is an important part of maintaining the integrity, relevance and validity of science, because: A) Famous scientists can appoint their friends to sit on the review panels, ensuring their papers are published and their grants are funded B) Special interest groups select and fund reviewers to evaluate and support projects that might have beneficial implications for their viewpoints C) A group of independent, usually anonymous, and qualified experts critically evaluates the social importance of a project, the methods of data collection and analysis, and the appropriateness of inferences and conclusions arrived at by the investigators based on the data
C
Based on their consumption, the 10% richest people in the world are responsible for about what percent of global carbon emissions? a) 1% b) 25% c) 50% d) 99%
C
Coal swamp forest refers to A) Forests that formed during the Cretaceous Period 145-66 Ma, composed of pines and oak trees from which coal deposits formed after impact of a giant meteorite B) Swampy forests that occur throughout the present day state of Pennsylvania where coal is formed from NPP and decomposition processes over the last 200 y C) Forests of Lycophytes, horsetails, scale trees and other primitive species that thrived in the warm humid conditions of the Carboniferous Period (359-299 Ma). Lack of fungi with enzymes to decompose lignin and suberin, and burial under swampy conditions, preserved accumulations of the organic material that formed today's coal deposits
C
Cold upwelling is: A) Frigid air currents created by air masses flowing over Greenland's glaciers that increase the length and severity of winter weather extending the season of polar sea ice to the benefit of polar bears B) Sinking of salty, cold, and dense seawater at high latitudes as part of the thermohaline circulation C) The upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich deep ocean currents, often along the western coasts of continents that sustain extremely high biological productivity and support vibrant fisheries, such an anchovies off the coast of Peru
C
Doughnut economics refers to a) The importance of reforming our food system to deliver healthier food with lower environmental impacts and less waste b) The risk that human society will collapse in on itself because of overpopulation c) The idea that the goal of economic policy is to meet the sustainable development goals while not surpassing planetary boundaries d) All of the above
C
In IPCC reports and other studies, they talk about "relative sea level rise". How does relative sea level rise differ from absolute sea level rise? A) Relative sea level rise is the rate of sea level experienced by one's relatives that live along the coast in another part of the world, compared to local (absolute) sea level rise B) Relative sea level rise accounts for both the thermal expansion of seawater due to heating (e.g. rising sea-surface temperature) and melting of continental ice, whereas absolute sea level rise accounts only for melting of continental ice C) Relative sea level rise is the apparent local rate of sea level rise that incorporates the global background (absolute) rate of sea level rise due to thermal expansion of seawater and melting on continental ice, plus local modifying such as glacial isostatic rebound and variation in ocean currents D) Relative sea level rise is the background global (absolute) rate of sea level rise due to thermal expansion of seawater and melting continental ice, plus gravitational effects of sun/moon alignment during spring tides
C
In the year 2100, it was predicted that a certain emissions scenario would have 335 W/m2 of energy emitted back to space from the top of the atmosphere. What would the RCP be for this emissions scenario? [Hint: Consider how much energy from the sun reaches the top of the atmosphere] a. RCP 8.5 b. RCP 6 c. RCP 5.0 d. RCP 4.5 e. RCP 2.6
C
Key uncertainties about the cost of climate change include: a) Whether human activities are really leading to climate change b) Who is to blame for damage to homes built too close to the coast c) What discount rate should be applied to impacts that occur in the future d) None of the above
C
Normal precipitation in the NC Piedmont and Coastal Plain ranges between: a. 5-20 in. b. 10-30 in. c. 40-50 in. d. 100-150 in.
C
One limitation or caveat on policies that promote increased energy efficiency (e.g. by setting standards or requiring that information be included on labels) is a) They are politically controversial b) They result in a carbon debt c) They generate a rebound effect d) All of the above
C
Radiative forcing is a measure for how a given forcing agent (e.g., greenhouse gas) has contributed to global temperature rise from the year 1750 to today. Which of the following has the smallest radiative forcing value, that is has had the least impact on temperature change? a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. nitrous oxide d. halocarbons e. radiative forcing is equal for all of the above
C
Surface currents and THC redistribute solar energy absorbed at lower latitudes to higher latitudes as part of Earth's heat engine. THC stands for: A) The Hadley Cell B) Thermal High-Latitude Currents C) Thermo Haline Circulation
C
The "great acceleration" occurred a) At the end of the last Ice Age b) During the colonial period of the 1600s c) Starting in the 1950s to present d) In the past decade
C
The Isthmus of Panama is best described as: A) A land bridge that formed during the Paleogene Period, 66-23 Ma, connecting South America to Antarctica, blocking flow of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current resulting in melting of the southern polar ice cap B) The high elevation rainforests of Panama in which primates and early hominids diverged during the Pleistocene leading to the human evolutionary line C) A land bridge connecting North and South America that formed late in the Neogene Period (late Tertiary), 23-2.6 Ma, allowing mixing of fauna as evidenced by pan-American species such as opossum, peccary, and puma D) A land bridge connecting North and South America that formed during the Ordovician Period, 485-444 Ma, which explains why there is extensive overlap in both plant and animal species across the Americas
C
The U.S. uses approximately 100 Quads of energy per year. Approximately what percentage of this is lost as wasted energy? a. 10% b. 25% c. 70% d. 98% e. None
C
The advantages of encouraging individuals to reduce their carbon footprint as a strategy for climate change mitigation include that a) Family size, diet, and lifestyle are personal choices b) Consumer preferences have been shifting towards lower emission choices like vegetarian diets c) Actions to reduce carbon footprint have co-benefits, such as healthier lifestyles and local environmental quality d) All of the above
C
The definition of ecosystems is: A) The plants that live in a specific geographic area of use to humans B) Natural areas on Earth's surface never influenced by human activities C) Specific assemblages of populations of organisms forming communities in a geographic area resulting from ecological processes operating over evolutionary time, interacting with the physical environment
C
The five major oceans listed in order of decreasing size (e.g. biggest to smallest) are: A) Panthalassian, Tethys, Indian, Pacific, Atlantic B) Indian, Arctic, Antarctic, Pacific, Atlantic C) Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Antarctic, Arctic D) South China Sea, Philippian Sea, Hawaiian Sea, Atlantic, Pacific
C
The term life cycle analysis refers to: A) Chain-of-custody documentation tracing the complete life cycle of tropical timber, from harvest in the rainforest to international transactions to sale of the final product to ensure sustainable logging practices B) The study of life cycle of exotic invasive forest insect pests to determine the most vulnerable life stages at which control measures can be targeted C) The accounting of all CO2 and GHG fluxes, and changes in C pools, associated with a given type of land use practice, such as short-rotation coppice culture of trees for bioenergy, to determine the net "climatic footprint" compared to traditional land uses and energy production systems (e.g. fossil fuels) D) None of the above
C
What is the definition of the "Anthropocene"? a) The geological time period when humans first evolved and started affecting the planet b) The unprecedented die-off of arthropods due to climate change c) The current geological time period, characterized by planetary-scale impacts of human activities d) None of the above
C
Which of the following is not one of the five stages of innovation as described by the Harvard Business Review? a) Compliance as opportunity b) Design sustainable products and services c) Accept that there is a cost to being green d) Develop new business models
C
A major source of climate change assessments is the IPCC whose full name is: a. International Policy Committee on Climate b. Intercontinental Panel on Climate Crises c. Interglobal Police for Climate Causes d. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change e. None of the above
D
As calculated by the US government, the social cost of carbon dioxide a) Includes an estimate of the monetary value of human lives lost because of climate change b) Places less weight on impacts of climate change that occur further in the future c) Is the total global benefit of reducing emissions by one ton of CO2 d) All of the above
D
Barriers to the adoption of products and lifestyles with lower emissions include a) Their higher costs, both up-front and in total b) The difficulty and skills required to adopt new practices and products c) Lack of information about which products are associated with lower emissions d) All of the above
D
Becoming environmentally friendly helps companies a) Hire and retain talent b) Reduce the amount of inputs they use c) Generate additional revenues from better products d) All of the above
D
For the average consumer, which of the following actions would have the greatest impact on GHG emissions? a) Recycle b) Wash clothes in cold water c) Upgrade light bulbs d) Take fewer international flights
D
Glaciers are slowly moving sheets of ice. Evidence on the land shows they advanced or grew, and then melted back at least five times over the last million years or so. One theory for their advance and retreat is referred to as the Milankovitch Cycles which are used to explain how the earth could cool and then warm up again in cycles. The reason(s) for the cooling and warming are: a. The gravitational pull of Jupiter and Saturn on the Earth which pulls it further from the sun. b. Wobbling or movement of the Earth's axis of rotation caused by tidal forces from the sun. c. A change in the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation toward the sun which produces hotter summers and colder winters. d. All of the above e. A and B above
D
In a "World Scientists' Warning of a Climate Emergency," Ripple et al. (2019) call on humanity to: a) Stabilize population b) Develop an economy that prioritizes basic needs and reduces inequality c) Massively increase energy efficiency and reduce energy use d) All of the above
D
Major world biomes include: A) Oceans, freshwater bodies, and coastal ecosystems B) Polar tundra and cryosphere C) Deserts, steppes, and Mediterranean ecosystems D) All of the above
D
Nitrous oxide levels have been increasing in the atmosphere since 1980. This greenhouse gas is created in wetlands when nitrate is being converted to a gas by the process of: a. Nitrogen fixation b. Ammonification c. Nitrification d. Denitrification e. Decomposition or mineralization
D
Oxygen isotopes are used to estimate temperatures of the past. The ratio of 18O to 16O (18O/16O) is measured as a proxy for temperature. During colder periods the ratio of 18O/16O in ocean water is larger than in warmer periods because: a. More 16O in water is eroded into the ocean from the land. b. More 18O is produced by foraminifera which proliferate in colder water. c. Deep ocean currents bring cold water to the surface of the ocean, and these waters are enriched in 16O. d. More 16O is locked up in ice on land. e. Not enough 16O dissolves from shells in the cold water
D
Sea level is rising as global temperatures rise. The causes of sea level rise include the melting of ice sheets as well as glaciers. Another and potentially larger cause of sea level rise is: a. higher rainfall events and more flooding on land which increases sediment input into oceans. b. greater biological growth which take up more space c. decrease in salt content of the ocean water d. water expands on warming e. subsurface eruptions of volcanoes whose lava takes up space and causes sea levels to rise.
D
The Earth's surface receives from the sun approximately 161 Wm-2 of energy that passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by land or water. It also receives an amount of radiation from the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The amount of radiation from the greenhouse gases that is emitted downward back to earth is approximately: [Hint: is the radiation greater than, less than, or about equal to 161 Wm-2] a. 160 Wm-2 b. 84 Wm-2 c. 20 Wm-2 d. 342 Wm-2 e. 1360 Wm-2
D
The Kaya identity shows that total carbon emission are a function of a) The carbon intensity of energy b) Energy intensity of the economy c) Human population d) All of the above
D
The term "Global Change" refers to the fact that: A) Climate change is just one of many ways that modern society is affecting the environment, possibly decreasing Earth's capacity to continue providing important ecosystem services B) Is the process whereby humanity sends probes to distant planets to find a new place to live C) There is a huge patch of plastic garbage floating in the Pacific Ocean D) Both A and C
D
Which is the most appropriate description of the scientific process? A) Science is a means of objectively understanding the world around us based on investigation of physical evidence B) Science is transparent in methods, motivation, and funding C) Science is self-correcting, thus mistakes or even deceptions usually do not last long D) All of the above
D
Which of the following calls for countries to develop and report their own "nationally determined contributions" to climate change? a) IPCC b) UNFCCC c) Kyoto Protocol d) Paris Agreement
D
World carbon stocks are stored or held for some period but are eventually released and recycled. The place where the most carbon is stored is the: a. Soils and permafrost b. Fossil fuels deposits c. Ocean floor d. Intermediate and deep ocean e. Atmosphere
D
As Earth's temperature rises, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere increases. This causes more infrared radiation from the earth to be absorbed by the vapor, and this also causes the temperature to rise, leading to increasing amounts of water vapor in the atmosphere. This process is an example of: a. The Stefan Boltzman Law b. Wien's Law c. Seuss Effect d. Negative feedback loop e. Positive feedback loop
E
Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas. Approximately what percentage of the global temperature rise that has occurred since 1750 can be attributed to carbon dioxide alone? a. 0-10% b. 10-20% c. 20-30% d. 30-50% e. 60 to 70%
E
Climate forcing agents are things that can cause Earth's temperature to change. Some forcing agents cause Earth to warm by absorbing radiation and re-emitting it. Other forcing agents cause Earth's temperature to cool. Which of the following cause Earth's temperature to cool when they are in the atmosphere? a. Sulfate b. Mineral dust in air c. Nitrate d. Volcanic particles ejected during eruptions e. All of the above
E
El Nino events occur periodically when the winds blowing westward across the ocean have become weaker or changed direction. When these events occur the water off the west coast of South America becomes _______________. a. enriched in 18O b. fresher c. saltier d. colder e. warmer
E
Global temperatures have varied much over time. What factors have contributed to this variability? a. Variation in sun spots b. Volcanic eruptions c. El Nino events d. Greenhouse gases e. All of the above
E
If the amount of CO2 is doubled then the Earth's surface temperature should eventually rise. The rise in temperature is caused by more infrared radiation being emitted by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Why does the increased CO2 cause more radiation to be returned to Earth? a. The CO2 gas in the atmosphere warms up as it absorbs more energy. b. The atmosphere itself warms up and emits more infrared radiation some of which comes back to Earth. c. The amount of visible light reaching the earth is not absorbed by the atmosphere and plays no role in the additional warming. d. As the atmosphere warms, more radiation is emitted to space, but some also comes back to Earth. e. All of the above are correct
E
In terms of global carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems: A) The vegetation biomass (10,000 Pg) contains much more than the soil (4,500 Pg) B) The soil (2,400 Pg) contains much more than the vegetation biomass (650 Pg) C) In descending order is: Tropical forest, temperate forest, tropical savannas/grasslands, boreal forest, other D) A and C E) B and C
E
In the U.S., coal is widely used for electricity production because it is cheap. Which of the following sources of energy are as cheap or cheaper than coal? a. Nuclear power b. Hydroelectric power c. Onshore wind turbines d. Natural gas—used in advanced systems e. All of the above are cheaper than coal
E
Methane is a strong greenhouse gas, but its lifespan in the atmosphere is about 10 years. It doesn't last, because it is oxidized to: a. nitrous oxide during denitrification b. calcium carbonate and water c. ozone and carbon dioxide d. halocarbons and water vapor e. carbon dioxide and water vapor
E
Permafrost is frozen soil. It is beginning to melt through global warming. Which of the following gases will be released to the atmosphere as permafrost melts? a. CO2 b. CH4 c. N2O d. Ozone e. Both "a" and "b"
E
Reliable records of air temperature measurements go back about 200 years. To estimate temperatures older than 200 years we have to use proxies that allow us to estimate temperature from them. Examples of proxies include: a. Oxygen isotopes b. Stomata in fossil leaves c. Tree rings d. Pollen e. All of the above
E
Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) are emission scenarios that modelers use to estimate potential temperatures in the future. What gases are used in developing a given RCP scenario? a. CO2 b. N2O c. CH4 d. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) e. All of the above
E
The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) shows just what its name suggests. If the PDSI for an area was -3, this would indicate the area is: a. Very wet b. Moderately wet c. Near Normal d. Mild drought e. Severe drought
E
The major source of carbon dioxide emissions from 1960 to today is: a. a warming ocean b. thawing permafrost c. land use change d. ruminant animals and termites e. fossil fuels and cement
E
Which statement(s) best characterize(s) the global C cycle? A) A pool of C is a standing stock of C, while a flux is a movement of C between pools B) The atmosphere has the largest pool of non-geologic C, at 37,100 Pg C) In terrestrial ecosystems, the largest pool of C is in soil (1500-2400 Pg) compared to vegetation (450-650 Pg) D) A and B E) A and C
E
T/F: Global warming will likely cause more hurricanes to occur.
F
T/F: The major drawback to using nuclear power plants for electricity generation is the risk of their exploding like an atomic bomb.
F
T/F: In the U.S., approximately 40% of the food produced is lost or wasted.
T
T/F: Polar regions of the earth are heating up faster than equatorial regions.
T
T/F: Radiative forcing is the difference between incoming and outgoing radiation measured at the top of the atmosphere.
T
T/F: The major source of water for human use comes from groundwater.
T
T/F: Water vapor is the greenhouse gas that absorbs more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation than any other greenhouse gas.
T
