Climate Change Assessment for 9th Grade

What is the primary greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming?

• Methane
• Carbon dioxide
• Nitrous oxide
• Water vapor

How do oceans help regulate Earth's climate?

• By reflecting sunlight back into space
• By absorbing and storing heat and carbon dioxide
• By producing oxygen through photosynthesis
• By creating wind patterns

Which ocean current system helps regulate global climate?

• Surface waves
• Tidal movements
• The thermohaline circulation
• Coastal currents

What is ocean acidification?

• A decrease in ocean temperature
• An increase in ocean salinity
• A decrease in ocean pH due to CO2 absorption
• An increase in ocean oxygen levels

How does melting sea ice affect global climate?

• It increases Earth's albedo
• It decreases sea levels
• It reduces ocean salinity
• It increases heat absorption

What is the relationship between ocean temperature and hurricanes?

• Warmer waters decrease hurricane intensity
• Warmer waters fuel stronger hurricanes
• Ocean temperature has no effect on hurricanes
• Colder waters create more hurricanes

Which marine ecosystem is most vulnerable to climate change?

• Coral reefs
• Deep sea vents
• Kelp forests
• Sandy beaches

What role do phytoplankton play in climate regulation?

• They produce methane
• They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen
• They reflect sunlight
• They create ocean currents

How does sea level rise impact coastal communities?

• It reduces flooding risks
• It increases available freshwater
• It causes coastal erosion and flooding
• It improves fishing conditions

What is thermal expansion in relation to oceans?

• The freezing of ocean water
• The increase in water volume as it warms
• The decrease in water density
• The evaporation of seawater