Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Some climate feedback loops,such as CO2 weathering feedback,occur over very long time scales.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Milankovitch cycles refer to

Accepted Answer

A)  tectonic changes in continental position and topographic changes from orogeny,erosion,and mass wasting.
B)  increases and decreases in atmospheric gases and aerosols,primarily caused by natural activity such as volcanic activity and changes in net primary productivity.
C)  changes in Earthʹs orbit,axial rotation,and axial tilt.
D)  cyclical changes in solar irradiance caused by increases and decreases in sunspot activity.E) A) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 4

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in more-developed countries (MDCs).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The________ is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO2 concentrations since 1958.

Accepted Answer

A)  MCA
B)  Younger Dryas
C)  Keeling Curve
D)  PETME) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 6

Recent temperature increases correspond to a period of increased sunspot activity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Carbon dioxide (CO2)is the most abundant natural greenhouse gas.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

-Over the span of 70 million years,Earthʹs climate

Accepted Answer

A)  was warmest approximately 10 million years ago and coolest about 56 million years ago.
B)  has remained fairly constant,only showing a warming trend during the past 200 years.
C)  was much cooler in the distant past than the present.
D)  was much warmer in the distant past than the present.E) A) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 9

GCMs are used to predict specific temperatures in the near and long -term future.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Over the last two decades,the Antarctic ice sheet has lost mass.However,the Greenland ice sheet has actually gained mass due to increased winter precipitation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Changes in Earthʹs 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.This is an example of a

Accepted Answer

A)  positive feedback loop.
B)  negative feedback loop.
C)  neither a positive or negative feedback loop.D) All of the above
E) B) and C)

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Fossil fuel burning accounts for over________ percent of CO2 emissions.

Accepted Answer

A)  20
B)  50
C)  70
D)  85E) A) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 14

A lower 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a________ climate,whereas a higher 18O/16O ratio indicates a ________climate.

Accepted Answer

A)  cooler; cold
B)  cooler; warmer
C)  warmer; cooler
D)  warmer; hotE) B) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 15

Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH4) sources,which is the largest?

Accepted Answer

A)  Livestock
B)  Rice paddies
C)  Wastewater treatment
D)  Agriculture associated firesE) B) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 16

The last interglacial period with temperatures similar to the present interglacial period was the

Accepted Answer

A)  Eemian interglacial.
B)  Günz-Mindel interglacial.
C)  Holstein interglacial.
D)  Flandrian interglacial.E) B) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 17

-According to the RCP8.5 scenario of high emissions

Accepted Answer

A)  global surface temperatures will increase until about mid-century,then steadily decrease.
B)  global surface temperatures will increase throughout the 21st century,but at a very gradual rate.
C)  global surface temperatures will cool during the most of the 21st century.
D)  global surface temperatures will increase throughout the 21st century,perhaps by as much as 4°C (7.2°F) by 2100.E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

Question 18

General circulation models (GCMs) of the atmosphere

Accepted Answer

A)  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.
B)  are based on statistical three-dimensional grids that characterize portions of the atmosphere and ocean in terms of climate-related variables.
C)  are pre-computer based models that estimated atmospheric and oceanic circulation and are now being used to study climate change.
D)  calculate the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere based on data from weather stations located around the globe.E) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 19

The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report concludes

Accepted Answer

A)  that while climate change is occurring,it is largely natural climate fluctuations.
B)  humans are likely (95% certainty) responsible for the temperature increase from 1951 to 2010.
C)  it is highly doubtful that recent climate trends represent anything more than a temporary perturbation in the long-term climate signal.
D)  there is no consensus on recent climate trends; some maintain it is mostly human-caused,others maintain it is natural fluctuations.E) A) and B)
F) A) and D)

Question 20

Halogenated gases are purely anthropogenic and have no natural sources.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 8: Population Growth and Fossil Fuel Burning the Setting for Climate Change

Some climate feedback loops,such as CO2 weathering feedback,occur over very long time scales.

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Halogenated gases are purely anthropogenic and have no natural sources.

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Fossil fuel burning accounts for over________ percent of CO2 emissions.

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The majority of human population growth is now occurring in more-developed countries (MDCs).

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-According to the RCP8.5 scenario of high emissions

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Carbon dioxide (CO2)is the most abundant natural greenhouse gas.

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

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The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report concludes

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General circulation models (GCMs) of the atmosphere

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Milankovitch cycles refer to

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Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH4) sources,which is the largest?

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The last interglacial period with temperatures similar to the present interglacial period was the

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A lower 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a________ climate,whereas a higher 18O/16O ratio indicates a ________climate.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

GCMs are used to predict specific temperatures in the near and long -term future.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The________ is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO2 concentrations since 1958.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Over the last two decades,the Antarctic ice sheet has lost mass.However,the Greenland ice sheet has actually gained mass due to increased winter precipitation.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Changes in Earthʹs 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.This is an example of a

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Recent temperature increases correspond to a period of increased sunspot activity.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

-Over the span of 70 million years,Earthʹs climate

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Some climate feedback loops,such as CO₂ weathering feedback,occur over very long time scales.

Correct Answer
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Fossil fuel burning accounts for over________ percent of CO₂ emissions.

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Carbon dioxide (CO₂)is the most abundant natural greenhouse gas.

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Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH₄) sources,which is the largest?

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A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a climate,whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a climate.

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The________ is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO₂ concentrations since 1958.

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Changes in Earthʹs 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.This is an example of a

Correct Answer
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