Questions about Hurricane Sandy and Rising Sea Levels

Experts believe that Hurricane Sandy’s strong power was led by:

• Climate change

• High sea surface temperatures

• Unusual weather patterns

• All of the above

What do scientists believe might happen in the U.S. as a result of rising sea levels?

• Increased flooding in coastal areas

• More frequent hurricanes

• Decreased rainfall

• Expansion of deserts

People should relocate to avoid the next big storm.

• Agree

• Disagree

• Not sure

The government should get involved to help rebuild communities after the next big storm.

• Strongly Agree

• Agree

• Neutral

• Disagree

• Strongly Disagree

As of 2016, about one-quarter of home water usage could be attributed to toilet flushes. Toilets installed before 1992 use about 5 gallons of water per flush. Newer toilets use about 1.5 gallons per flush. If people flush the toilet an average of 5 times a day, about how many gallons of water could one person save in one year by using a newer toilet?

• 800

• 2700

• 6400

• 9100

Statistics show that it takes 1,000 gallons of water to feed one American for one day, which is much higher than the global average. The high water use can be largely attributed to meat production. Consider this fact: Between feeding the growing cow and processing the meat, about 630 gallons of water go into one hamburger. How many gallons of water are used to produce one hamburger?

• 500 gallons

• 630 gallons

• 800 gallons

• 1,000 gallons

Many attribute the severity of California’s long-term drought to climate change. Californians have taken steps to reduce their water waste, like fixing leaks at home and using brooms instead of water hoses to clean sidewalks. Californians may be decreasing water consumption, but statistics have shown that the average American uses about 100 gallons of water per day. This is twice the amount an average European uses, and more than 50 times the amount residents of sub-Saharan Africa use. Since scientists project more frequent and severe droughts, what is one strategy that communities and governments could adopt to reduce water consumption in the United States?

• Implementing water-efficient technologies

• Increasing water prices

• Encouraging shorter showers

• Promoting the use of rainwater harvesting systems

Assuming the trends in these graphs continue into the future, what would be your hypothesis about the future impact of China and the United States on global carbon dioxide emissions?

• China will have a greater impact than the United States.

• The United States will have a greater impact than China.

• Both will have an equal impact.

• Neither will have a significant impact.

What is the clearest way to explain the relationship between the three graphs?

• Explain the graphs as if you’re a teacher.

• Describe the graphs in a complex manner.

• Ignore the graphs and focus on other data.

• Explain the graphs without any context.

Who should pay for the consequences of climate change?

• Seaside should be responsible for rebuilding itself, since residents choose to live in the path of destruction.

• State public funds should be used to rebuild Seaside after the next hurricane.

• Create your own position.