Question 1

Which of the following accurately describes 13C/12C ratios of plant materials and their use in climate reconstructions?

Accepted Answer

A) 13C is an unstable isotope,which decays at a constant rate.This is used to date plant material,which can then be used as a proxy for temperature and climate conditions at that time. 
B) Different plants use different types of photosynthesis,each producing a different carbon isotope ratio in plant materials,which scientists use to determine past temperature and rainfall conditions. 
C) By analyzing the ratio of 13C/12C in marine phytoplankton,the source of the water in which the organisms resided can be determined. 
D) 12C is very rare in nature.When it does appear in plant material,it is indicative of climate anomalies.By measuring the 13C/12C ratios,scientists can determine whether the plants were alive during normal or anomalous conditions. 
A) 13C is an unstable isotope,which decays at a constant rate.This is used to date plant material,which can then be used as a proxy for temperature and climate conditions at that time. 
B) Different plants use different types of photosynthesis,each producing a different carbon isotope ratio in plant materials,which scientists use to determine past temperature and rainfall conditions. 
C) By analyzing the ratio of 13C/12C in marine phytoplankton,the source of the water in which the organisms resided can be determined. 
D) 12C is very rare in nature.When it does appear in plant material,it is indicative of climate anomalies.By measuring the 13C/12C ratios,scientists can determine whether the plants were alive during normal or anomalous conditions.

Question 2

Which is the primary anthropogenic source of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)?

Accepted Answer

A) Clearing and burning land. 
B) Rice farming. 
C) Respiration. 
D) Burning of fossil fuels. 
A) Clearing and burning land. 
B) Rice farming. 
C) Respiration. 
D) Burning of fossil fuels.

Question 3

There has been a decrease in multi-year ice,that is,sea ice that survives through two or more summers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Since 1880,which two years had the highest land surface temperature?

Accepted Answer

A) 1990 and 2000. 
B) 2005 and 2010. 
C) 1985 and 1992. 
D) 1900 and 1940. 
A) 1990 and 2000. 
B) 2005 and 2010. 
C) 1985 and 1992. 
D) 1900 and 1940.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of individuals and communities working to mitigate climate change?

Accepted Answer

A) Tree clearing in exchange for greenhouse gas credits. 
B) Leaving the decision-making to elected officials. 
C) Farmers selling their properties to agribusiness. 
D) Protecting and restoring natural habitats. 
A) Tree clearing in exchange for greenhouse gas credits. 
B) Leaving the decision-making to elected officials. 
C) Farmers selling their properties to agribusiness. 
D) Protecting and restoring natural habitats.

Question 6

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)is characterized by some of the coolest temperatures in Earth's history.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The United States leads the world in per capita carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Fossil fuel burning accounts for over how many percent of CO2 emissions?

Accepted Answer

A) 20. 
B) 50. 
C) 70. 
D) 85. 
A) 20. 
B) 50. 
C) 70. 
D) 85.

Question 9

Which scenario predicts the lowest level of warming during the 21st Century?

Accepted Answer

A) RCP6.0-continued use of fossil fuels. 
B) RCP2.6-efforts to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and major reductions in emissions. 
C) RCP4.5-stabilization of forcing by year 2100. 
D) RCP8.5-continued heavy fossil fuel use. 
A) RCP6.0-continued use of fossil fuels. 
B) RCP2.6-efforts to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and major reductions in emissions. 
C) RCP4.5-stabilization of forcing by year 2100. 
D) RCP8.5-continued heavy fossil fuel use.

Question 10

Which describes CO2 emissions since 1990?

Accepted Answer

A) These have increased for all fuel types,with projections of future increases for all fuel types. 
B) These increased through the 1990s and 2000s,but are projected to decrease in the coming decades. 
C) These increased overall.However,these increases varied by fuel type,with coal actually showing a decrease. 
D) These 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) These have increased for all fuel types,with projections of future increases for all fuel types. 
B) These increased through the 1990s and 2000s,but are projected to decrease in the coming decades. 
C) These increased overall.However,these increases varied by fuel type,with coal actually showing a decrease. 
D) These 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 11

As air temperatures increase,evaporation increases.Warmer temperatures also increase the capacity to absorb water vapour.More water vapour in the atmosphere accelerates the greenhouse effect.As temperatures increase further,more water vapour can enter the atmosphere,causing temperatures to increase even more.Which best describes this process?

Accepted Answer

A) A positive feedback loop. 
B) A negative feedback loop. 
C) A dynamic equilibrium. 
D) Homeoschedasity. 
A) A positive feedback loop. 
B) A negative feedback loop. 
C) A dynamic equilibrium. 
D) Homeoschedasity.

Question 12

Which of the following correctly lists the climate indicated by a lower 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores and a climate indicated by a higher ocean sediment core 18O/16O ratio?

Accepted Answer

A) Cooler; warmer. 
B) Warmer; cooler. 
C) Cooler; cold. 
D) Warmer; hot. 
A) Cooler; warmer. 
B) Warmer; cooler. 
C) Cooler; cold. 
D) Warmer; hot.

Question 13

Water vapour (H2O)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of methods used for short-term climate reconstructions?

Accepted Answer

A) Ice core analysis. 
B) Ocean sediment core analysis. 
C) Carbon isotope analysis. 
D) Precambrian rock tectonics. 
A) Ice core analysis. 
B) Ocean sediment core analysis. 
C) Carbon isotope analysis. 
D) Precambrian rock tectonics.

Question 15

Carbon dioxide (CO2)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than methane (CH4).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Methane (CH4)has a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

While GCMs are useful for visualization the complex global oceanic-atmosphere circulation,they have had little utility in the study of climate change.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Carbon dioxide (CO2)residence time in the atmosphere is 7 to 10 years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Changes in Earth's orbital configuration may lead to warming temperatures.These warming temperatures,in turn,may lead to the release of both CO2 and CH4.Increases in these gases may further warm the planet.Which best describes this process?

Accepted Answer

A) Positive feedback loop. 
B) Negative feedback loop. 
C) Dynamic equilibrium. 
D) Homeoschedasity. 
A) Positive feedback loop. 
B) Negative feedback loop. 
C) Dynamic equilibrium. 
D) Homeoschedasity.

Question 20

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) Less-developed countries (LDCs). 
B) More-developed countries (MDCs). 
C) Evenly between LDCs and MDCs. 
D) This statement is not correct,world populations are declining. 
A) Less-developed countries (LDCs). 
B) More-developed countries (MDCs). 
C) Evenly between LDCs and MDCs. 
D) This statement is not correct,world populations are declining.

Which of the following accurately describes 13C/12C ratios of plant materials and their use in climate reconstructions?

Which is the primary anthropogenic source of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)?

There has been a decrease in multi-year ice,that is,sea ice that survives through two or more summers.

Since 1880,which two years had the highest land surface temperature?

Which of the following is an example of individuals and communities working to mitigate climate change?

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)is characterized by some of the coolest temperatures in Earth's history.

The United States leads the world in per capita carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions.

Fossil fuel burning accounts for over how many percent of CO2 emissions?

Which scenario predicts the lowest level of warming during the 21st Century?

Which describes CO2 emissions since 1990?

Which of the following correctly lists the climate indicated by a lower 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores and a climate indicated by a higher ocean sediment core 18O/16O ratio?

Water vapour (H2O)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Which of the following is an example of methods used for short-term climate reconstructions?

Carbon dioxide (CO2)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than methane (CH4).

Methane (CH4)has a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2).

While GCMs are useful for visualization the complex global oceanic-atmosphere circulation,they have had little utility in the study of climate change.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)residence time in the atmosphere is 7 to 10 years.

Changes in Earth's orbital configuration may lead to warming temperatures.These warming temperatures,in turn,may lead to the release of both CO2 and CH4.Increases in these gases may further warm the planet.Which best describes this process?

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in which of the following?

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

Oceans, coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

Exam 11: Climate Change

Which of the following accurately describes 13C/12C ratios of plant materials and their use in climate reconstructions?

Which is the primary anthropogenic source of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)?

There has been a decrease in multi-year ice,that is,sea ice that survives through two or more summers.

Since 1880,which two years had the highest land surface temperature?

Which of the following is an example of individuals and communities working to mitigate climate change?

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)is characterized by some of the coolest temperatures in Earth's history.

The United States leads the world in per capita carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions.

Fossil fuel burning accounts for over how many percent of CO2 emissions?

Which scenario predicts the lowest level of warming during the 21st Century?

Which describes CO2 emissions since 1990?

Which of the following correctly lists the climate indicated by a lower 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores and a climate indicated by a higher ocean sediment core 18O/16O ratio?

Water vapour (H2O)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Which of the following is an example of methods used for short-term climate reconstructions?

Carbon dioxide (CO2)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than methane (CH4).

Methane (CH4)has a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2).

While GCMs are useful for visualization the complex global oceanic-atmosphere circulation,they have had little utility in the study of climate change.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)residence time in the atmosphere is 7 to 10 years.

Changes in Earth's orbital configuration may lead to warming temperatures.These warming temperatures,in turn,may lead to the release of both CO2 and CH4.Increases in these gases may further warm the planet.Which best describes this process?

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in which of the following?

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

Oceans, coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters