Reference no: EM133268084

1. Consider the global 'Greenhouse Effect', where thermal energy from the sun is naturally trapped by 'greenhouse gases' present within the Earth's atmosphere. A majority of heat generated from this process is then absorbed by the world's oceans, where it is sequestered and stored. What are some of the predictable consequences recently observed over the past 40-50 years with the observed rise in Global Mean Temperature, correlate with an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from burning of fossil fuels across that same period?

A. retreat of winter and summer sea ice, decreasing the amount of solar energy directly absorbed into the oceans

B. melting of Himalayan glaciers and collapse of Antarctic ice shelves into the sea

C. warming of deep ocean water and increased evaporation at the surface

D. warming of oceanic surface temperatures, driving the formation of more powerful hurricanes & rainstorms

E. thermal expansion of oceanic water, leading to mean global sea level rise

2. Consider the predicted consequences of a Global Mean Temperature rise comparing 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius. Which of the following phenomena are expected to occur by mid to end century?

A. all coral reefs bleaching with 1.5 degrees of warming

B. increase in heat waves by up to one and a half months each year with 2 degrees of warming

C. rise in soy and rice production with either 1.5 or 2 degrees of warming

D. loss of wheat and maize (corn) production with either 1.5 or 2 degrees of warming

3. Based on projections from Climate Action Tracker, if we maintain our 'Business As Usual' policies for reducing Global Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG), without meeting either current pledged targets or optimal net zero targets, the planet is projected to warm at least ____ °C beyond Pre-Industrial levels by end of this century. Select one:

A. 2.0

B. 2.4

C. 2.7

D. 1.3

4. Changes in frequency & intensity of which types of major weather events have been observed in the past 50 years?

A. droughts

B. rainfall

C. wildfires

D. hurricanes

E. floods

5. Choose the correct statement describing occurrences of the hottest and/or coldest years on record:

A. in several areas across Earth's landmass, the coldest temperatures on record have occurred within the past 10 years

B. neither of these statements are true

C. both of these statements are true

D. across the majority of the Earth's landmass, the hottest temperatures on record have occurred within the past 20 years

6. Of the 26,000 species that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies as threatened with extinction, which of the following group(s) are currently included on the group's annual 'Red List'?

A. angiosperms (flowering plants)

B. mammals

C. amphibians

D. birds

F. crustaceans

E. reptiles

7. Recent experimental evidence suggests that accumulation of collective impacts of human activity upon our environment across centuries, mostly occurring in recent decades, is pushing a number of natural feedback systems past their 'tipping points' for maintaining a dynamic equilibrium. For each system, match the observable responses to our 'anthropogenic forcings' that suggest a shift from negative feedback to positive feedback in recent years.

( atmospheric temperature and sea level rise/ release of methane into atmosphere/ slowing of thermohaline circulation/ loss of transpiration leading increase drought)

A. melting permafrost in Siberia and Canada (PICK FROM THE TOP)

B. melting glaciers in Greenland (PICK FROM THE TOP)

C. deforestation of Amazon (PICK FROM THE TOP)

D. ocean heat saturation (PICK FROM THE TOP)

8. Match the primary drivers of population loss, reduction in genetic diversity, and threats of extinction for each of the following species discussed in class:

( harvesting of scales for traditional medicines and foods/ habitat fragmentation and loss of fruit bearing trees, tropical deforestation / poaching of tusks for ivory, trophy hunting/ loss of tropical rainforest habitats, pesticides, invasive species / melting of sea ice, polar ocean warming/ harvesting of fins for traditional soups, overfishing / over-harvesting, coral reef collapse, ocean warming / invasive animal (insects) and fungal species/ industrial pollution and warming in freshwater lakes, streams, rivers / habitat fragmentation and over harvesting of bamboo from forest habitat)

A. pangolin (PICK FROM THE TOP)

B. orangutan (PICK FROM THE TOP)

C. migratory fish ( PICK FROM THE TOP)

D. polar bears (PICK FROM THE TOP)

E. sharks ( PICK FROM THE TOP)

G. insects (PICK FROM THE TOP)

H. elephants (PICK FROM THE TOP)

T. pandas (PICK FROM THE TOP)

Y. amphibians (PICK FROM THE TOP)

Z. temperate forest trees (PICK FROM THE TOP)

9. Identify the primary drivers of Biodiversity Loss, in order of impact from greatest to least:

A. Over-harvesting of resources, Habitat fragmentation, Pollution, Population growth, Invasive species

B. Over-harvesting of resources, Habitat fragmentation, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth

C. Habitat fragmentation, Invasive Species, Population growth, Pollution, Over-harvesting of resources

D. Population growth, Over-harvesting of resources, Habitat fragmentation, Pollution, Invasive species