Exam 18: Global Climate Change

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following question. -One factor contributing to U.S. resistance to legal intervention regarding global climate change is _______________.

Tuvalu and the Maldives are in the international spotlight because they ____________

Read the following scenario and answer the question below. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that physical, biological, and economic evidence exists confirming global climate change due to human-produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earth's carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions have not been effective in reducing greenhouse gases. Revisions to the 1970 Clean Air Act, called the "Clear Skies Initiative," were proposed to limit mercury, nitric oxides, and sulfur oxide emissions from power plants. Nicknamed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as the "Clear Lies Initiative," this proposal did not specifically address emission of carbon dioxide, and its loopholes excluded older power plants from having to modernize, seemingly supporting pollutive industries with political influence. Environmentalists are arguing for immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and subsidies for renewable energy. They favor "portfolio standards," requiring electric companies to provide clean energy alternatives to consumers and "green tags," "wind certificates," and "green pricing" to support the use of alternative fuels. -Why do environmentalists and scientists advocate immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and subsidies for renewable energy?

The Earth's atmosphere can cause global warming because _____________.

Describe how freshwater ecosystems face challenges of global climate change. Give an example from the text.

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following question. -Milankovitch cycles _______________

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following question. -The greenhouse effect involves warming of Earth's surface and the _______________.

Predominant greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels

Earth's climate _______________.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an international panel that _______________.

How certain are scientists that humans are causing global climate change? Describe the language used by scientists and some of the particular climate trends they have identified as changing. If the scientific community is convinced of the evidence, why is there still debate?

Recent research indicates that the variation in solar output _______________

Keeling's reports from Mauna Loa demonstrated ____________

By- product of feedlots, chemical manufacturing, and fertilizer use

Read the following scenario and answer the question below. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that physical, biological, and economic evidence exists confirming global climate change due to human-produced greenhouse gases. Although the United States emits most of Earth's carbon dioxide, its policies do not reflect concern over its environmental effects. The United States failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed by other developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Requested voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide emissions have not been effective in reducing greenhouse gases. Revisions to the 1970 Clean Air Act, called the "Clear Skies Initiative," were proposed to limit mercury, nitric oxides, and sulfur oxide emissions from power plants. Nicknamed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as the "Clear Lies Initiative," this proposal did not specifically address emission of carbon dioxide, and its loopholes excluded older power plants from having to modernize, seemingly supporting pollutive industries with political influence. Environmentalists are arguing for immediate action, including stricter laws to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions and subsidies for renewable energy. They favor "portfolio standards," requiring electric companies to provide clean energy alternatives to consumers and "green tags," "wind certificates," and "green pricing" to support the use of alternative fuels. -Of the following greenhouse gases, which one has experienced the greatest percentage increase since 1750?

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following question. -The largest source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the United States is , followed by ___________

Why is the concept of radiative forcing critical to understanding the causes of global climate change?

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following question. -Impacts of global warming include all of the following except _______________.

Stratospheric greenhouse gas that absorbs the sun's incoming short-wave radiation

Briefly explain why water vapor may either contribute to or slow global warming.