Chapter 7 - Humans & Global Change

Front

How does Shari and her family's change in transportation affect their ecological footprint? They use their private automobile less often, and instead rely more on public transportation, bicycles, and walking.

Back

The footprint decreases, because the family uses fewer energy resources and reduces their emissions of greenhouse gases.

Front

Which event of the near future would increase the likelihood of the LOWEST possible temperature increase? Options: Global emissions of greenhouse gases decrease by 50 percent., A major volcanic eruption strikes somewhere on Earth., New technology reduces consumer prices for coal, oil, and natural gas., Global emissions of chlorofluocarbons (CFCs) decrease by 50 percent.

Back

Global emissions of greenhouse gases decrease by 50 percent.

Front

How are acid rain and global warming related?

Back

Both acid rain and global warming are caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

Front

Which observation MOST STRONGLY supports Juanita’s claim that cattle ranching contributes more significantly to global climate change than most other forms of agriculture?

Back

A cow releases large amounts of methane, an especially potent greenhouse gas.

Front

Which statement provides the strongest argument AGAINST the developer’s claim about the impact of a six-lane highway on a population of timberwolves?

Back

Wolves hunt across large territories, so habitat fragmentation puts them at risk.

Front

Evaluate Johan's claim that ozone is harmful, a result of human activity, and harms health, and his argument that CFCs should be encouraged because they help break up ozone.

Back

The claims are accurate, but the argument is faulty because ozone in the upper atmosphere protects life on the surface.

Front

Which observation provides the strongest evidence in support of the statement: “The expression global warming is only a partial description of the changes occurring to Earth's atmosphere. Global climate change is the more accurate description”?

Back

Precipitation patterns are changing on a global scale.

Front

What is the effect, in practice, of the agreement of the scientists on global climate change?

Back

The agreement may help guide world governments but does not force their actions.

Front

Which revision to the building plans for a 15,000-seat arena for a professional basketball team would MOST help it meet the goals for sustainable development? Options: Plant a lawn along the outside of the arena., Remove the systems for heating and air-conditioning from the arena., Move the arena to the edge of the city, where it would replace farmland., Move the arena to the city center, where it can be accessed by public transportation.

Back

Move the arena to the city center, where it can be accessed by public transportation.

Front

Which property of renewable resources explains their role in sustainable development? Options: Renewable resources involve materials or energy found in nature., Renewable resources can be replaced effectively by healthy ecosystems., Renewable resources are less expensive and more useful than nonrenewable resources., Renewable resources involve synthetic or artificial materials that are not found in nature.

Back

Renewable resources can be replaced effectively by healthy ecosystems.