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WorksheetsChapter 19 Climate Change
Total questions: 41
Worksheet time: 21mins
An interglacial period is characterized by ____.
long periods of colder climate
rapidly fluctuating temperatures
extensive glaciation
periods of warmer, stable climate
falling levels of CO2
Since 1975, the atmospheric warming on the earth has ____.
experienced extreme fluctuations from hot to cold
increased at a more rapid pace
decreased
remained constant
not changed
Scientists have attempted to measure historical temperatures by collecting data from various means. What is not one of these?
radioisotopes in rocks and sediments
pollen grains
air bubbles in ice cores
photos of glaciers
tree rings
The minimum period of time for measuring climate, rather than weather, is which of the following?
2 weeks
6 months
1 year
10 years
30 years
The earth’s climate will not change in response to ____.
increases and decreases in volcanic emissions
plate tectonics
magnetic pole reversals
shifting ocean currents
variations in atmospheric gas concentrations
Which phrase best describes the earth's average surface temperature for the past 900,000 years?
a steady warming trend
fairly steady temperatures until recently
prolonged periods of cooling and warming
fairly steady with occasional cool spells
fairly steady with a recent cooling trend
Major climate models predict ____.
a 2- to 4.5-degree centigrade rise in earth's mean surface temperature by 2100
humans do not play a role in the changes in global temperature
the falling of global sea levels
lower temperature rises are only possible with drastic greenhouse gas increases
sea level rise of 10 meters is most likely
Climate models predict that global warming will be most severe in which regions?
Australia
North America
Polar regions
Africa
Euro-Asia
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the troposphere at the start of the Industrial Revolution was approximately ____.
280 ppm
290 ppm
300 ppm
310 ppm
320 ppm
From most important to least important, the three factors responsible for the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations are ____.
burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture
burning fossil fuels, agriculture, and deforestation
deforestation, burning fossil fuels, and agriculture
deforestation, agriculture, and burning fossil fuels
agriculture, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation
The majority of anthropogenic carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere via ____.
volcanic outgassing
wildfires
plant respiration
burning fossil fuels
deforestation
Carbon dioxide rates reached what level in 2013?
300 ppm
332 ppm
357 ppm
389 ppm
400 ppm
The oceans absorb between 25-30% of the CO2 in the lower atmosphere. As the oceans heat up, this absorption ____.
increases dramatically
increases somewhat
stays relatively stable
decreases
stops
During the past 275 years human activities have been responsible for 70% of methane emissions. Which activity is not a source of methane?
raising cattle and sheep
the use of modern synthetic fertilizers
extracting fossil fuels
creating landfills
flooding land to create reservoirs
Nitrous oxide (N20) levels are rising. Each nitrous oxide molecule has how much stronger a warming potential than does a molecule of carbon dioxide?
25
56
83
118
300
The greenhouse effect is ____.
the primary cause of global warming
when energy absorbed by the earth radiates into the atmosphere to cause warming
caused by solar radiation warming the earth’s atmosphere
accelerating the warming of the earth’s atmosphere
a blanket of warm air in the troposphere that makes the earth habitable
Some people believe the sun has become hotter and is responsible for global warming. Data about which of the following disputes that claim?
the stratosphere has warmed more slowly than the troposphere
projected surface temperature of the sun
air currents at high altitude
ocean currents
air currents at low altitude
A warmer world is least likely to result in ____.
decreased food production
reductions in biodiversity
a rise in sea level
increased moderate weather
spread of tropical diseases
A rapidly changing climate is least likely to affect ____.
where food can be grown.
how much food can be grown.
the frequency and severity of droughts or flooding.
where people and wildlife will be able to live.
what kinds of economies will exist
“Methane time bombs” is a phrase associated with which of the following?
methane released from permafrost
methane released by cattle
methane released by decaying manure
methane released from glaciers
methane released from sewage treatment plants
The predicted rise in sea levels during the 21st Century is least likely to cause ____.
saltwater contamination of coastal freshwater aquifers
flooding of some of the world’s largest coastal cities, including New York
flooding of low-lying barrier islands and gently sloping coastlines
replenishment of many coastal fisheries
destruction of many coastal estuaries, wetlands, and coral reefs
Scientific debate over whether the warming of the ocean would or would not result in more frequent and stronger tropical storms and hurricanes, was settled by consensus. The consensus stated there would be ____.
fewer and weaker hurricanes
more and weaker hurricanes
fewer and stronger hurricanes
more and stronger hurricanes
no change in the strength or frequency of hurricanes
Which of the following ecosystems is least likely to suffer disruption and species loss from climate change?
temperate oak-pine and oak-hickory forests
coral reefs
coastal wetlands
high elevation mountaintops
alpine and Arctic tundra
In a warmer world, which of the following organisms are likely to decline in numbers?
insects
microbes
humans
fungi and molds
weeds
Although temperatures have fluctuated throughout the earth’s history, scientists are greatly concerned about the current warming because ____.
it is occurring at a more rapid rate than in the past
the Sun is getting warmer which amplifies warming on the earth
clouds are not reflecting as much radiation now as in the past
the ozone hole is allowing more radiation to enter the atmosphere
wildfires are more sever and occur with greater frequency
Since 1980, Arctic Sea Ice has ____.
decreased in volume and surface area
decreased in volume but not changed in surface area.
decreased in volume, but increased in surface area
not changed in volume or surface area
not changed in volume, but decreased in surface area
The oceans absorb CO2 from the lower atmosphere, which in turn creates carbonic acid. Should humans be concerned about greater ocean acidification?
No. Carbonic acid is an ingredient in soft drinks. It’s not dangerous.
No. The oceans have such a large volume, that increases in carbonic acid don’t have a major affect.
No. The carbonic acid gets consumed by organisms in the ocean before it can do harm.
Yes. The increasing acidification means oceans will be unsafe for humans to swim in.
Yes. Carbonic acid inhibits the growth of shelled organisms and decreases phytoplankton populations.
The tipping point for CO2 levels is 450 ppm. This means ____.
that if CO2 levels fall below 450 ppm there could be long-term potentially catastrophic effects
that CO2 levels above 450 ppm will cause long-term potentially catastrophic effects
that CO2 levels above 450 ppm will cause irreversible change
that CO2 levels below 450 ppm will cause irreversible change
that CO2 levels above 450 ppm will cause sea level to rise three meters
A rise in sea level is least likely to ____.
flood areas where one-third of the world's human population lives
save the coral reefs
accelerate coastal erosion
contaminate coastal aquifers
disrupt coastal fisheries
The 1997 Kyoto Protocol went into effect in 2005 with only seven of the world’s 194 nations not ratifying the agreement. Which of the following countries did not ratify it?
Netherlands
Canada
United States
Germany
Switzerland
Which of the following countries intends to become the first carbon neutral country by cutting its net carbon emissions to zero by 2030?
Canada
United States
Mexico
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Individuals add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere directly and indirectly based on their lifestyle choices. This is called a ____.
carbon trail
carbon footprint
carbon stamp
carbon fingerprint
carbon track
Which statement about the difficulty of addressing climate change is false?
The problem is global, not regional.
Humans are not hard-wired to respond to long-term threats.
Problems will be solved by long-term political solutions.
Many of the problems and solutions are controversial.
The benefits and harmful impacts are spread evenly.
There are several possible climate change tipping points. Which one of the following is not one of these points?
atmospheric level of 450 ppm
collapse and melting of Greenland ice sheet
expansion of Amazon rainforest
massive release of methane from Arctic permafrost
sharp drop in the ability of oceans to absorb CO2
Geoengineering methods to control global warming are criticized because ____.
geoengineering protects only affect a local area
they are vulnerable to cheating
taxes on energy consumption are not popular
the results are unpredictable and could have negative impacts on the climate and atmosphere
they don’t go far enough in reducing CO2 levels
What strategy would increase the threat of climate change?
Improve energy efficiency.
Shift from fossil fuels to a mix of carbon-free energy resources.
Stop cutting down tropical forests.
Capture and store as much carbon dioxide as possible.
Continue with current practices.
Which of the following actions would increase carbon dioxide levels?
massive planting of trees
draining wetlands
pumping it deep underground
growing more switchgrass
the use of biochar for fertilizer
One key component to a successful strategy to reduce the threat of projected climate disruption involve which of the following?
reducing cattle belching
increasing use of nitrogen fertilizers
starting a global energy efficiency revolution
scattering iron particles in the oceans
harnessing the power of nuclear fission
Which action would contribute to increased global warming?
Shift from coal to natural gas
Increase beef production to strengthen public health.
Reduce deforestation
Slow population growth.
Improve energy efficiency.
It has been suggested that the threat of global warming can be addressed by geoengineering strategies. Which strategy below would not be feasible?
adding iron to the oceans
building lots of chemical plants to remove ocean acidity
injecting sulfate particulates into the stratosphere
covering the oceans with Styrofoam chips
placing giant mirrors in orbit above the earth to reflect sunlight
Governments can promote solutions to climate disruption by ____.
strictly regulating water vapor and sulfur dioxide as air pollutants
phasing in carbon subsidies
placing a cap on total human-generated carbon dioxide and methane emissions
increasing taxes on businesses that encourage energy efficient technologies
curbing economic growth
