Question 1

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine the rise of atmospheric CO₂ is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

A)  Since ¹⁴C is an unstable isotope, scientists have dated the atmospheric carbon to the period since the Industrial Revolution. 
B)  Both coal and oil contain a high proportion of ¹⁴C. By analyzing, ¹⁴C/¹²C ratios, scientists have been able to determine the source based on this fact. 
C)  The low proportions of ¹³C and ¹⁴C within atmospheric CO₂ indicates the source is fossil carbon. 
D)  ¹⁴C concentrations are much higher in urban areas than in rural areas, indicating fossil fuels must have a higher ¹⁴C/¹²C ratio than carbon from other sources. 
A)  Since ¹⁴C is an unstable isotope, scientists have dated the atmospheric carbon to the period since the Industrial Revolution. 
B)  Both coal and oil contain a high proportion of ¹⁴C. By analyzing, ¹⁴C/¹²C ratios, scientists have been able to determine the source based on this fact. 
C)  The low proportions of ¹³C and ¹⁴C within atmospheric CO₂ indicates the source is fossil carbon. 
D)  ¹⁴C concentrations are much higher in urban areas than in rural areas, indicating fossil fuels must have a higher ¹⁴C/¹²C ratio than carbon from other sources.

Question 2

All greenhouse gases contribute equally to global climate change.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Which of the following is not considered an important carbon sink?

Accepted Answer

A)  the oceans 
B)  rocks 
C)  forest and soils 
D)  farmlands 
A)  the oceans 
B)  rocks 
C)  forest and soils 
D)  farmlands

Question 4

General circulation models (GCMs) of the atmosphere

Accepted Answer

A)  are pre-computer based models that estimated atmospheric and oceanic circulation and are now being used to study climate change. 
B)  are highly simplistic models that use one or two variables to test the veracity of climate proxies, such as ice core and ocean sediment core samples. 
C)  are based on statistical three-dimensional grids that characterize portions of the atmosphere and ocean in terms of climate-related variables. 
D)  calculate the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere based on data from weather stations located around the globe. 
A)  are pre-computer based models that estimated atmospheric and oceanic circulation and are now being used to study climate change. 
B)  are highly simplistic models that use one or two variables to test the veracity of climate proxies, such as ice core and ocean sediment core samples. 
C)  are based on statistical three-dimensional grids that characterize portions of the atmosphere and ocean in terms of climate-related variables. 
D)  calculate the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere based on data from weather stations located around the globe.

Question 5

Ocean sediment cores provide a climate record for the past ________ years.

Accepted Answer

A)  800,000 
B)  2 million 
C)  10 million 
D)  70 million 
A)  800,000 
B)  2 million 
C)  10 million 
D)  70 million

Question 6

Since the Industrial Revolution

Accepted Answer

A)  human population growth rates have decreased with a subsequent decrease in the warming trend that characterized pre-Industrial Revolution times. 
B)  global temperatures rapidly increased, then steadied out over the past 25 to 30 years. 
C)  global temperatures have continued to warm at accelerating rates. 
D)  no observable warming or cooling trends have occurred, rather temperatures have oscillated between warm and cold periods. 
A)  human population growth rates have decreased with a subsequent decrease in the warming trend that characterized pre-Industrial Revolution times. 
B)  global temperatures rapidly increased, then steadied out over the past 25 to 30 years. 
C)  global temperatures have continued to warm at accelerating rates. 
D)  no observable warming or cooling trends have occurred, rather temperatures have oscillated between warm and cold periods.

Question 7

Per capita emissions of total greenhouse gases are highest in

Accepted Answer

A)  less-developed countries (LDCs). 
B)  more-developed countries (MDCs). 
C)  neither LDCs and MDCs; they are approximately equal. 
D)  non-populated areas since greatest emissions associated with volcanic eruptions. 
A)  less-developed countries (LDCs). 
B)  more-developed countries (MDCs). 
C)  neither LDCs and MDCs; they are approximately equal. 
D)  non-populated areas since greatest emissions associated with volcanic eruptions.

Question 8

Vulnerability to sea level rise is not uniformly distributed across the world.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The last glacial maximum (LGM) refers to the duration of the last period of glaciation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Based on climate reconstructions, there is ample evidence that climates have fluctuated throughout Earth's long history. Describe some of the mechanisms of this climate fluctuations.

Accepted Answer

Several examples may include solar varia

Question 11

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

Accepted Answer

The primary methods for long-term recons

Question 12

The rate of population growth decreased after 1950.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

More-developed countries (MDCs) currently emit the greatest amount of greenhouse gases per capita.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Since 1990, CO₂ emissions

Accepted Answer

A)  have increased for all fuel types, with projections of future increases for all fuel types. 
B)  increased through the 1990s and 2000s, but are projected to decrease in the coming decades. 
C)  increased overall. However, these increases varied by fuel type, with coal actually showing a decrease. 
D)  decreased through the 1990s and 2000s, but are projected to increase again in the coming decades due to rapid population growth in less developed nations. 
A)  have increased for all fuel types, with projections of future increases for all fuel types. 
B)  increased through the 1990s and 2000s, but are projected to decrease in the coming decades. 
C)  increased overall. However, these increases varied by fuel type, with coal actually showing a decrease. 
D)  decreased through the 1990s and 2000s, but are projected to increase again in the coming decades due to rapid population growth in less developed nations.

Question 15

Speleothems, like trees, have growth rings whose size and property reflect the conditions under which they formed.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The world's highest rates of deforestation (based on the Deforestation Index), a significant factor in global warming, is occurring in Brazil.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Describe the properties, current atmospheric concentrations, and sources the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change?

Accepted Answer

Answers should include the following gas

Question 18

The annual growth ring added by tree species is known as a varve.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

During the last 800,000, climate reconstructions show that CO₂ Never changed more than ________ ppm upward or downward in any span of less than 1,000 years, though it has risen by this amount in the last 13 years.

Accepted Answer

A)  30 
B)  60 
C)  120 
D)  240 
A)  30 
B)  60 
C)  120 
D)  240

Question 20

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. could meet the carbon emission reduction targets in the Kyoto Protocol

Accepted Answer

A)  at a cost of approximately $5 to $10 billion a year. 
B)  at a savings of $7 to $37 billion a year. 
C)  at a cost of approximately $10 to $15 billion a year and with a risk of higher unemployment. 
D)  without any economic benefits or detriments. 
A)  at a cost of approximately $5 to $10 billion a year. 
B)  at a savings of $7 to $37 billion a year. 
C)  at a cost of approximately $10 to $15 billion a year and with a risk of higher unemployment. 
D)  without any economic benefits or detriments.

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine the rise of atmospheric CO₂ is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

All greenhouse gases contribute equally to global climate change.

Which of the following is not considered an important carbon sink?

General circulation models (GCMs) of the atmosphere

Ocean sediment cores provide a climate record for the past ________ years.

Since the Industrial Revolution

Per capita emissions of total greenhouse gases are highest in

Vulnerability to sea level rise is not uniformly distributed across the world.

The last glacial maximum (LGM) refers to the duration of the last period of glaciation.

Based on climate reconstructions, there is ample evidence that climates have fluctuated throughout Earth's long history. Describe some of the mechanisms of this climate fluctuations.

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

The rate of population growth decreased after 1950.

More-developed countries (MDCs) currently emit the greatest amount of greenhouse gases per capita.

Since 1990, CO₂ emissions

Speleothems, like trees, have growth rings whose size and property reflect the conditions under which they formed.

The world's highest rates of deforestation (based on the Deforestation Index), a significant factor in global warming, is occurring in Brazil.

Describe the properties, current atmospheric concentrations, and sources the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change?

The annual growth ring added by tree species is known as a varve.

During the last 800,000, climate reconstructions show that CO₂ Never changed more than ________ ppm upward or downward in any span of less than 1,000 years, though it has risen by this amount in the last 13 years.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. could meet the carbon emission reduction targets in the Kyoto Protocol

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earths Modern Atmosphere

Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems and Landforms

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

Exam 11: Climate Change

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine the rise of atmospheric CO₂ is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

All greenhouse gases contribute equally to global climate change.

Which of the following is not considered an important carbon sink?

General circulation models (GCMs) of the atmosphere

Ocean sediment cores provide a climate record for the past ________ years.

Since the Industrial Revolution

Per capita emissions of total greenhouse gases are highest in

Vulnerability to sea level rise is not uniformly distributed across the world.

The last glacial maximum (LGM) refers to the duration of the last period of glaciation.

Based on climate reconstructions, there is ample evidence that climates have fluctuated throughout Earth's long history. Describe some of the mechanisms of this climate fluctuations.

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

The rate of population growth decreased after 1950.

More-developed countries (MDCs) currently emit the greatest amount of greenhouse gases per capita.

Since 1990, CO₂ emissions

Speleothems, like trees, have growth rings whose size and property reflect the conditions under which they formed.

The world's highest rates of deforestation (based on the Deforestation Index), a significant factor in global warming, is occurring in Brazil.

Describe the properties, current atmospheric concentrations, and sources the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change?

The annual growth ring added by tree species is known as a varve.

During the last 800,000, climate reconstructions show that CO₂ Never changed more than ________ ppm upward or downward in any span of less than 1,000 years, though it has risen by this amount in the last 13 years.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. could meet the carbon emission reduction targets in the Kyoto Protocol

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earths Modern Atmosphere

Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems and Landforms

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters