Quiz: Environment and the Impact

Which day is Earth Day?

• April 22

• December 21

• August 12

• October 31

Answer explanation

Earth Day falls on April 22nd. This is a nearly 50 year old tradition, established in 1970, dedicated to bringing the environment to the forefront. Each year, Earth Day Network works to bring together communities around the world in a huge campaign to tackle modern-day environmental problems in effort to continue the Earth Day tradition.

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?

• CO₂

• CH₄

• Nitrous Oxide

• all of the above

Answer explanation

Greenhouse gases may be a result of natural occurrence or human activity. These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor, nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3). Fluorinated gases are also considered to be greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases act like a heat-trapping blanket, making the Earth habitable for humans. However, human activities have increased emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere beyond what the Earth can support, resulting in climate change.

What is the greenhouse effect?

• The name of climate legislation

• when you paint your house green to become an environmentalist

• when the gases in our atmosphere trap heat and block it from escaping our planet

• when you build a green house

Answer explanation

The Earth receives solar radiation from the sun. Passing through the atmosphere, some radiation is absorbed by the Earth, while some is reflected back to space. When the exchange of incoming and outgoing radiation occurs, some of the radiation becomes trapped by gases in the atmosphere. This creates a “greenhouse” effect and warms the planet.

Which of the following are consequences associated with climate change ?

• The ice sheets are declining, glaciers are in retreat globally, and our oceans are more acidic than ever

• Surface temperatures are setting new heat records about each year

• More extreme weather like droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes

• Global sea levels are rising at an alarmingly fast rate — 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) in the last century alone and going higher

• All of the above

Answer explanation

All of these are problems associated with climate change. The majority of scientists agree that many of these effects are caused by human contribution to the greenhouse effect. Extreme weather events, droughts, heat waves and rising sea levels are already having devastating effects on the most vulnerable countries and communities.

Which of the following is not considered to be a source of renewable energy?

• Hydropower

• Wind

• Natural Gas

• Solar

Answer explanation

According to the US Energy Information Administration, renewable energy sources, which re-generate, consist of biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar.

Which of the following are negative impacts of burning fossil fuels?

• They contribute to environmental degradation and pollution

• They harm local communities

• They contribute to human health problem

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Fossil fuels and the fossil fuel industry have many negative impacts. Some are direct and easily visible, such as pollution and land degradation. Others may not be so obvious. For example, fossil fuels can put human health at risk. Coal miners may develop black lung disease, or communities near transportation routes may be exposed to coal dust. Marine pollution can happen due to oil spillage. Global warming can happen due to the contribution of CO₂ into the atmosphere through burning of hydrocarbon.

Which is the one of the fastest growing renewable energy sectors in the world?

• Solar

• Biomass

• Geothermal

• None of the above

Answer explanation

Solar energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energy sectors in the world. In 2018, solar energy produced just over 2 percent of the world’s electricity. Overall, renewable energy used for electricity has grown by around 7% in 2020. Brunei has set a target of generating 100 MW of solar energy by 2025 as part of the government's initiative to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent over the next 10 years. Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) has launched a 3.3 MW solar plant to power its Seria headquarters as it seeks to lower its carbon footprint. (More reading: https://thescoop.co/2021/04/07/crown-prince-inaugurates-bsp-solar-plant/)