Environmental Science Review

Which international agreement, adopted in 1997, aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

• Kyoto Protocol

• Paris Agreement

• Rio Declaration

• Stockholm Convention

Answer explanation

The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was the first international agreement aimed specifically at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

What year was the Paris Agreement adopted?

• 2005

• 2015

• 2018

• 1992

Answer explanation

The Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015 during the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris. This agreement aims to combat climate change and limit global warming, making 2015 the correct answer.

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), known as the Earth Summit, took place in which city?

• Rio de Janeiro

• Kyoto

• Geneva

• Copenhagen

Answer explanation

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, making it the correct answer among the options provided.

Which country did NOT sign the Kyoto Protocol when it was first introduced?

• Canada

• Japan

• United States

• Germany

Answer explanation

The United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol when it was first introduced in 1997, citing concerns over economic impacts and the exclusion of developing countries from binding targets.

What is the primary objective of the Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987?

• To phase out ozone-depleting substances

• To regulate carbon emissions

• To reduce deforestation

• To promote clean drinking water

Answer explanation

The primary objective of the Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, is to phase out ozone-depleting substances, which are harmful to the ozone layer and contribute to environmental issues like increased UV radiation.

Who was the U.S. Vice President and a major advocate for the Kyoto Protocol during its negotiation?

• Al Gore

• John Kerry

• Bill Clinton

• George W. Bush

Answer explanation

Al Gore, as Vice President under Bill Clinton, was a prominent supporter of the Kyoto Protocol, advocating for international efforts to combat climate change during its negotiation in the late 1990s.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted during which global summit?

• Kyoto Summit

• Rio Earth Summit (1992)

• Copenhagen Conference

• Stockholm Conference

Answer explanation

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, which focused on sustainable development and environmental protection, making it the correct choice among the options.

Which international agreement replaced the Kyoto Protocol in 2015?

• Paris Agreement

• Rio Convention

• Montreal Protocol

• Stockholm Declaration

Answer explanation

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, replaced the Kyoto Protocol as the main international treaty aimed at combating climate change, focusing on limiting global warming and enhancing climate resilience.

The Stockholm Convention (2001) primarily addresses the regulation of what type of pollutants?

• Persistent organic pollutants

• Greenhouse gases

• Radioactive waste

• Heavy metals

Answer explanation

The Stockholm Convention (2001) focuses on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are toxic chemicals that remain in the environment for long periods and can accumulate in living organisms, posing significant health risks.

In what year was the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established?

• 1972

• 1987

• 1992

• 2005

Answer explanation

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, making it the correct answer among the options provided.