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WorksheetsES Quiz - Recalculating the Climate Math
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 10mins
The author references an earlier article and a study done by the research group, Carbon Tracker Initiative. According to the studies done by this group, untapped reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas contain _______ as much carbon as can be used if global temperatures are going to increase by no more than 2 degrees C
1/2 or 50%
All of 100%
2x or 200%
5x or 500%
The article refers to the math equation "942>800". This equation is about
the amount of carbon in the coal, oil, and natural gas that we are digging up compared to the amount of carbon that can be used/burned before we increase Earth's temperature by 2 degrees
the amount of carbon that has been released by burning fossil fuels in the last 50 years compared to the predicted amount in the next 50 years
an index of the cost and benefits of the pollution from burning fossil fuels
how much oil and gas we need to find to meet the world's energy needs this century compared to how much renewable energy could be produced
Our use of fossil fuels has already increased the temperature of Earth by 1 degrees C.
According to the article, consequences of this amount of change include all of the following except
the melting of almost 1/2 of the ice on Earth
a significant decrease in global production of important crops like rice and wheat
the killing off of large amounts of coral (reefs)
causing lethal flooding and droughts
Some people hope that humans can keep using as much fossil fuels as we can find and that climate change can be avoided by technology to "suck CO2 (carbon) from the atmosphere.
One of the experts in the article refers to this plan as a "breakthrough in mythical carbon-sucking __________"
wizards
elves
leprechauns
unicorns
In order to avoid catastrophe, the article suggests "managed decline", which means that humans would
stop all oil drilling, coal mines, etc.... immediately
continue using the oil wells and coal mines we have now but not starting any new ones
continue using "safer" natural gas but stop the use of oil and coal immediately
allow the use of coal and gas in developed countries like the US but require developing countries to only use clean energy
Although all of the following statements are true, which of the ideas is specifically mentioned in THIS article?
"The fossil fuel industry has based its entire business model on being able to ______________"
avoid paying for the cost of the pollution they create
bribe government officials to allow oil drilling and coal mines that are harmful to local communities
drill and mine on land owned by the public without paying (or paying a tiny amount)
"replenish" the oil and gas that it pumps each year
Again, although all of these are true, the article mentions that one of the largest, (and most understandable), reasons that changing or limiting our use of fossil fuels is difficult is because
pipelines and other infrastructure creates many well-paying jobs
the system for providing fossil fuels (gas stations and coal-fired power plants) have already been built and are easy to use
up until a few years ago, fossil fuels have been cheaper for consumers than other types of energy
the corporations who develop fossil fuels have a huge amount of influence on our politicians
Allowing at natural decline of oil fields would mean the use of 50% less oil within about ______ from now.
1 year
5 years
10 years
50 years
The article states that many different groups oppose which of the following significant fossil fuel developments
the Keystone pipeline
the Portland oil transport terminals
drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
the Dakota pipeline
In conclusion, the author uses which of the following metaphors to describe humans' actions and decisions regarding the use of fossil fuels?
a doctor's appointment with a difficult diagnosis
a simple riddle with multiple answers
a math test with only one right answer
a race with only one way to the finish line
