Test 1 guide Flashcards
1
Q
While fires set by ranchers have been the most notorious source of fires in the Amazon over the last decade, what other climate-related problem is driving the current wave of fire outbreaks throughout the region?
A
Massive decrease in rainfall
2
Q
What public health problem do the fires in the Amazon create for many cities in Brazil?
A
Smoke inhalation
3
Q
Researches are increasingly worried that the waves of fires and the ‘slowing down’ of the Amazon ecosystem is a reflection of a weakening of its “R____________”, the ability of an ecosystem to recover from damaging events.
A
Resilient
4
Q
Much of Bangladesh is low-lying, close to sea level, making it a “D_______” nation especially prone to flooding problems.
A
Delta
5
Q
What post-disaster problem is Bangladesh suffering from, and is common for poor countries after widespread destructive events?
A
Government find hard to reach people and provide aid.
6
Q
Rumours spread online blaming what other country for the flooding, leading to protests and strong denials?
A
India.
7
Q
T/F. The Gulf of Mexico is now the hottest it’s been in the modern record.
A
True
8
Q
T/F. Scientists say that the warming waters in the Gulf of Mexico are directly and only caused by climate change.
A
False
9
Q
What is the ‘double punch of extreme ocean heat in the Gulf’?
I.
II.
A
I. More intense hurricane
II. Coral reef die, no barrel for the waves.
10
Q
T/F. While Australia’s recent winter heat wave is an abnormal burst of unseasonal weather, scientists also say that the heat will not be sustained, but will decline fairly quickly.
A
False.
11
Q
T/F. Scientists expect 2024 to be Australia’s hottest winter on record, surpassing the record set all the way back in …2023.
A
True.
12
Q
T/F. Record temperatures have also been recently recorded across Europe, emphasizing these warming trends as global tendencies.
A
True.
13
Q
How is Australia planning to move the solar energy it creates all the way to Singapore.
A
1/3
14
Q
T/F. This one project is expected to be the largest solar project in the world and to supply Singapore with up to 15% of its energy needs by the early 2030s.
A
True.
15
Q
Provide two motivations for Australia to agree to this project?
I.
II.
A
I. Provide job, huge market, economic growth
II. Natural sources (coal)
16
Q
While Australia has given approval and Singapore is expected to soon, what third country is also needed to sign off on the project, and say why?
A
Indonesia, because the undersea cable must pass through Indonesia.
17
Q
T/F. China is the second largest builder of coal-fired power stations in the world, behind India.
A
False.
18
Q
What percentage of China’s electricity comes from coal?
A
60%
19
Q
Why does China say that it needs to continue using coal, despite its rampant build out of alternative energy sources like solar and wind?
A
Solar and wind are not reliable enough.
20
Q
What does I.P.C.C stand for? And when was it founded/
A
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, founded by 1988.
21
Q
T/F. China leads the world in solar and wind power installations.
A
True.
22
Q
T/F. The IPCC does not conduct its own scientific studies but instead relies on thousands of volunteer researchers and reviewers to compile its reports and recommendations.
A
True.
23
Q
While the IPCC tends to shy away from making strongly stated prescriptions to governments, it does try to produce reports that are clearly “p________- r__________.”
A
Policy relevant
24
Q
T/F. The predictions of the IPCCs first report in 1890 were way off in their estimations of the pace of global warming, due the absence of the complex computer models that were created in the years following.
A
True.
25
The IPCC reports are often timed with big climate change conferences, such as the Second Assessment in 1995 timed with what event? And the Fifth Assessment in 2014 timed with what event?
Second Assessment = Kyoto Protocols
Fifth Assessment = Paris Accords
26
In a favoured phrasing, the IPCC report states that since the last report in 2014 heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and other extreme events have all increased in intensity and frequency “f______ b________ n_________ v_________.”
Far beyond natural variability
27
What percentage of the world’s population faces water insecurity for at least one month per year?
50%
28
Briefly, explain the problem many migratory animals are facing due to climate change.
Plant seasons misaligned with migratory timing.
29
The stated aim of the Paris Agreement is to keep global temperature rise “well below” _____ degrees Celsius and to ‘pursue efforts’ to limit it to _____ degrees Celsius.
2, 1.5
30
According to the IPCC, a ‘business as usual’ approach would result in a world warmed by what degree by mid-century and what degree by 2100?
2.4 degree Celsius, 4.4 degree Celsius.
31
Which of the following does the lecture list as consequences for humans if the world warms 2 degree Celsius instead of 1.5 degrees? (Mark all that apply)
People facing water supply risk is 50% higher
65 million more people exposed to severe heat events every five years
Substantial increases in global property levels
Significant in annual deaths from climate change related illnesses.
People facing water supply risk is 50% higher
65 million more people exposed to severe heat events every five years
Substantial increases in global property levels
Significant in annual deaths from climate change related illnesses.
32
Which of the following does the lecture list as consequences for animals, plant, and ecosystems if the world warms 2 degrees Celsius instead of 1.5 degrees? (Mark all that apply)
World’s coral reefs would be nearly all dead due to ocean warming and acidification
Twice as many plant species and three times as many insects would lose half their habitat
Arctic ice would disappear completely once every ten summers (vs. Every 100 at 1.5)
Release of millions of tons of carbon due to the forest loss and thawing of permafrost
World’s coral reefs would be nearly all dead due to ocean warming and acidification
Twice as many plant species and three times as many insects would lose half their habitat
Arctic ice would disappear completely once every ten summers (vs. Every 100 at 1.5)
Release of millions of tons of carbon due to the forest loss and thawing of permafrost
33
T/F. In a minimal sign of progress, the annual rate of GHG emissions growth declined from 2010 to 2019.
True.
34
What does NDC stand for? And, are the currently enough to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Nationally Determined Contributions, not enough.
35
The IPCC report finds that instead of urgently making the ‘transformational’ changes that are necessary, countries instead have largely pursued f______________, i ______________, and s_______- s________ changes focused on current on near term impacts.
Fragmented, incremental, small, scale
36
The IPCC points out that between ______% and ______% of the methane Corning from drilling operations and pipelines could be eliminated with installation of already available, low-cost technology that monitors and contains leaks.
50, 80
37
What does the IPCC have more optimism that countries’ power sectors can decarbonize quicker than other sectors.
Large and centralized company, long history and mature technology, very few number of firm.
38
What sector is the IPCC report particularly pessimistic about reducing carbon emissions and what are the two reasons that explain this pessimism.
Transportation sector. No variable alternative energy, population growth demand is getting increasingly higher with time.
39
In highly vulnerable nations, mortality from droughts, storms, and floods from 2010 to 2020 was ______ times greater than in countries with very low vulnerability.
15
40
What type of country is considered the ‘canary in the climate coal mine’?
Small island country
41
What percentage of people in sub-Saharan Africa live in informal settlements?
15% 25% 45% 60%
60%
42
What large movement of people does the IPCC expect droughts across the Amazon to cause?
Significant slum migration and displacement of people, cause severe water shortages and loss of agricultural productivity.
43
Africa is already and will be among the hardest hit regions of the world, despite African countries contributing less than ____% of cumulative global emissions, and likely to suffer over _____% of excess deaths from climate-related diseases, such as heat-exposure.
3, 50
44
To keep warming or within 1.5 degrees C will likely require cutting emissions of all greenhouse gases by roughly _____% by the 2030s and net-zero by the ________s (what decade?).
50, 2050
45
The goal (from question 1) would require a reduction of coal use by ______% and oil by ______% and natural gas by ______% by 2050.
95, 60, 45
46
Briefly, define ‘net-zero’.
The bound between carbon emissions and carbon takes out of the atmosphere.
47
In terms of the world’s C__________ B__________, the world can emit ______ gigatonnes (Gt) more carbon dioxide. The world’s currently annual emission is roughly ________ gigatonnes.
Carbon Budget, 36.5, 460
48
T/F. Future carbon emissions from existing and planned fossil fuel infrastructures could reach over 850 Gt.
True.
49
A serious approach to climate change would require the R________ of existing fossil fuel infrastructures and the C________ of all planned new projects.
Retire, Cancel
50
S____________ A___________ refers to unburied or unused fossil fuel resources, whose value (if 2 degree C is the limit) would reach _______ trillion dollars.
Stranded Assets, 1-4
51
T/F. Annual growth in the public and private financing for climate change mitigation and adaption has slowed in recent years.
False.
52
T/F. The IPCC has found that financing for fossil fuels still outstrips funding for climate action.
True.
53
Match the region with the needed climate funding increases to keep world to 2 degree C limit.
Africa Five-fold increase
Middle East Seven-fold increase
Southeast Asia Twelve-fold increase
Africa = seven-fold increase, Middle East = twelve-fold increase, Southeast Asia = five-fold increase
54
Contributing to their lacking of funding for spending on climate projects, many poor developing countries have what other significant international payments they must take, which reduces their spending power?
International debt pay which borrow from international bank and private institutions.
55
T/F. The needed funding for climate solutions in agriculture and forestry are actually less than current subsidies for agriculture and forestry, an indication of outdated spending practices.
True.
56
T/F. The IPCC report argues that on technological and cost considerations alone, the mitigation of emissions to limit warming to 1.5 degrees C is feasible.
True.
57
According to the IPCC, investments in what two technologies (their development and deployment)are the least expensive and most effective action we can currently take?
Solar and wind energy technology.
58
T/F. The cost of both solar and wind energy increased slightly between 2010 and 2019, due to increasing technological complexity.
False.
59
According to the IPCC, what sector is the most important to decarbonize as fast as possible?
The electricity/ power sector.
60
T/F. Wind and solar currently make up less than 10% of installed electricity.
True.
61
T/F. While explicit subsidies for fossil fuels and clean energy are now near equal, ‘real’ subsidies (including hidden costs) for fossil Sueys far outweighs spending on climate technology, at roughly 6 trillion to 500 billion.
True.
62
Why did a new solar farm in northern Vermont get denied?
The grid limit.
63
President Biden wants to reduced emissions in the U.S. by _______% by 2030.
10% 25% 50% 75%
50
64
T/F. For the U.S. to achieve Biden’s goals, the country will have to massively increase its electricity usage, by anywhere from 40-100%?
True.
65
T/F. The U.S. has a spatial mismatch between where much of its wind and solar is likely to be generated in future decades and where most of its population lives.
True.
66
T/F. One of the key advantages of renewable energy systems is that while new infrastructure will have to be built for them, those infrastructures can be much smaller than traditional energy infrastructures.
False.
67
T/F. According to the IPCC, the limiting of temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C will be impossible without some form of carbon removal.
True.
68
(A) What does BECCS stand for? And (b) list two of the problems discussed in lecture with it discussed in lecture.
Bio energy carbon capture storage. Expensive, unproven and food insecure issue.
69
A_____________ is a carbon capture practice that is cost-effective, easily available, and delivers a wide range of benefits.
Afforestation.
70
The amount of carbon capture that will be required to keep temperature rises low mostly depends on what?
How many emissions that we produce from now.
71
Household in the top 10% of wealth are responsible for roughly ______% of global GHG emissions; while household in the bottom 50% account for less than _______% of global GHG emissions.
36-45, 13-15.
72
The targeting of lifestyle and behavior changes is an aspect of d________- s______ mitigation options and will require transformation in the “C________ a___________” of our consumption patterns.
Demand-side, Choice architecture.
73
The IPCC find that effective lifestyle mitigation efforts could reduce GHG emissions by as much as ____% by 2050.
20% 40% 50% 70%
70%
74
In order to cut down on methane in the atmosphere, the IPCC suggests targeting “f_________ emissions”, the methane that escapes during extraction and transportation of natural gas or from abandoned oil wells.
Fugitive.
75
What is the number one goal in the IPCC’s recommendations for transitions towards a global low-carbon economy.
Swift to renewable energy.
76
T/F. Similar to power generation, the IPCC believes that we have all the technology necessary to decarbonize industry, it’s now mostly a matter of effective deployment.
False.
77
In terms of the IPCC’s goals for green buildings, while there have been an increasing number of zero-carbon buildings constructed around the world, what are the two primary goals that still need considerable focus and investment.
I.
II.
I. Renovate older building to green
II. Need to have a standard for all the buildings to be green
78
T/F. Without a change in use patterns, CO2 emissions from the transport sector are set to increase by up to 50% by 2050.
True.
79
What are three key policies for cities to pursue reductions in their transport sector emissions levels?
I.
II.
III.
I. Higher density
II. Electrified transportation
III. Provide alternative (bicycle)
80
List two of the reasons discussed in lecture for why it is a problem that much of the potential for carbon emission reductions from environmental protection, restoration, and sustainable management exists in developing countries.
I.
II.
I. Don’t have any funding.
II. Don’t have any scientific expertise.
81
According to the IPCC, successful long-term climate adaption will require not just the building of sustainable economies, but also a focus on e________ and j________.
Equity, justice.
82
In the IPCC’s most optimistic scenario, what cut is achieved by 2050 and what peaks at 2050?
Cut: carbon emissions net zero.
Peak: temperature increase 1.5 degree C.
83
T/F. According to the IPCC’s first two scenarios, the world will be both richer and more equal by the end of the 21st century.
True.
84
Which scenario do most researchers believe in the oath that is consistent with the Paris Agreement’s climate pledges? In this scenario, how much would global temperature rise by 2100?
Scenario 3, 2.7 degree C.
85
The IPCC’s fourth scenarios, in which global temperature rises to 3.6 degrees C by 2100, is defined by the collapse of what?
Collapse of international companies.
86
Provide a succinct definition of “tipping point” as relates to climate change.
Threshold passed, faster destruction, irreversible changes.
87
T/F. The two most recent IPCC reports represent a significant shift in their assessment of tipping points from the early years of the IPCC reports.
True.
88
T/F. Passing one tipping point is likely to trigger other tipping points, in a process researchers refer to as ‘cascades’.
True.
89
Researchers worry that the melting of the Greenland ice sheet may be slowing down what natural system key to determining Europe’s climate?
AMOC.
90
Ocean heat waves cause mass coral bleaching; and if global average temperature rises by 2 degrees C,a stunning ______% of tropical corals are projected to be lost.
99
91
T/F. A group of researches has recently argued that four of the five tipping biggest climate system tipping points move from being possible to likely if the world warms by 1.5 degrees C.
True.
92
During the first wave of deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s built what project?
Trans-Amazonian Highway.
93
Over time, the area that was cleared for economic development, in particular for pasture by cattle ranchers, was called the A_____ of D_____________.
Arc of Deforestation.
94
What crop boomed in the 1990s and drove higher rates of deforestation? And how was it connected to cattle ranching?
Soy, much of it grown be used as food for cattle.
95
Briefly, what is IBAMA?
A police agency track and fine people for deforestation.
96
T/F. The Ruralistas are a guerrilla environmental group infamous for bobbing sites related to agribusiness and advocating for better environmental laws.
False.
97
Which of the following cited as a cause of the recent resurgence in deforestation in the Amazon? (Mark all that apply)
Weakened Forest Code
Ruralista political power growing
Slashed IBAMA budget
Wave of fires set by agriculture interests
Weakened Forest Code
Ruralista political power growing
Slashed IBAMA budget
Wave of fires set by agriculture interests
98
T/F. So far, over the last 50 years, 17% of the Amazon has been destroyed; scientific are increasingly worried that if that number reached 20-25%, the forest could suffer a ‘collapse’.
True.
99
What has become clear about the Thwaites Glacier over the last couple decades?
Ice melting.
100
What difference between East and West Antarctica explains their different rates of ice melt?
East is above sea level on higher ground, west is below sea level on lower ground.
101
What is the most troubling consequences of the Thwaites glacier’s ’grounding line’ moving backwards?
Accelerate glaciers into the sea.
102
What is the bigger catastrophe that the collapse of the Thwaites glacier could cause?
The rest of ice sheet melt, sea level rise.
103
What are the two main sources of rising sea water levels? And which one now contributes more than the other?
I.
II.
I. Ice sheet melting
II. Thermal expansion
Ice sheet melting contributes more than thermal expansion.
104
Some of the uncertainty over ice sheet melting is whether the process will be one of “a___________” in which the process continues and picks up pace and may lead to rapid collapse, or one of “p_______” in which the process of melting is interrupted by slowdowns and takes much longer.
Acceleration, pulses.
105
Which of the following does the lecture list as probable impacts of sea level rise due to climate change?
Large scale damage and destroy a wide variety of infrastructures - roads, bridges, subways, energy systems, and sewage
Significant losses in the tourism and recreation sectors of many countries
Saltwater contamination of freshwater sources and agriculture areas
Massive dislocations and migrations of peoples to other regions and countries
Large scale damage and destroy a wide variety of infrastructures - roads, bridges, subways, energy systems, and sewage
Significant losses in the tourism and recreation sectors of many countries
Saltwater contamination of freshwater sources and agriculture areas
Massive dislocations and migrations of peoples to other regions and countries
106
Globally, _______ out of the world’s 10 largest cities are near a coast.
8
107
The World Economic Forum estimates that ________ million people will be vulnerable to a rise of sea level by 0.5 meters by 2050.
800.
108
In addition to the obvious loss of land due to sea level rise, what two other worries do island nations and dependencies worry about related to sea level rise?
I.
II.
I. Water sources
II. Tourism
109
According to the Vox video, what percentage of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide? And how much is methane?
76%, 16%.
110
T/F. While not the current largest emitter, the U.S., historically, has emitted more carbon dioxide than any other country or region.
True.
111
In the U.S., most oil is converted for use in what sector.
Transportation.
112
In the U.S., what are the two biggest fossil fuel sources for electricity?
Natural gas & coal.
113
If the U.S. wants to “D_____________”, it must stop getting its electricity from fossil fuel sources and shift to renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal.
Decarbonize.
114
Shifting to renewable sources of energy for American’s electricity would eliminate ______% of its carbon emissions.
20.
115
What is the ‘elegant solution’ that Saul Griffith suggest for the U.S. economy to enhance the effect of shifting its electricity grid to renewable energies?
Shift everything possible to electricity.
116
What are the things the lecture lists as likely to be really hard to operate or manufacture without fossil fuels, at least for a while?
Aviation, steel and concrete.
117
In the video, the graph that breaks down the carbon emissions in the U.S. by sector has what percentages for the following?
Transportation _____%
Electricity _____%
Industrial _____%
Residential _____%
Commercial _____%
Transportation 28%
Electricity 28%
Industrial 21%
Residential 14%
Commercial 12%
118
T/F. Saul Griffith’s model of possible transitions show that slower methods of transition (such as free market, low carbon taxes, low market subsidies, and high carbon taxes), while not the best or fastest option, are still enough to keep the world from going over 2 degree Celsius warming.
False.
119
A new field of climate science that studies how global warming creates conditions that increase the chances of severe weather is called “e__________ e_________ a___________.”
Extreme even attribution.
120
Which of the following factors did the lecture list as contributing to rising intensities of hurricanes? (Mark all that apply)
Warmer ocean temperatures from increased energy absorption create conditions for hurricane development
Warm air holds less water Vapor than cold air
Less cold, subsurface ocean water that normally acts as natural breaking mechanism
More intense vertical wind shear intensifies hurricane winds
Destructive of coral reefs that normally act as break on storms surges along coasts
Warmer ocean temperatures from increased energy absorption create conditions for hurricane development
Less cold, subsurface ocean water that normally acts as natural breaking mechanism
Destructive of coral reefs that normally act as break on storms surges along coasts
121
T/F. Researchers expect intense tropical cyclones to become more frequent globally, but for there to be significant regional variation and for there to be possibly less tropical cyclones overall.
True.
122
What other climate change problem intensifies the damage caused by hurricanes against coastlines?
Higher sea level.
123
T/F. One ‘benefit’ of climate change is a weakening of atmosphere currents, which makes storms ‘sluggish’ and thus less destructive.
False.
124
T/F. Hurricanes are the most costly form of weather disaster in the U.S.
True.
125
Briefly explain why vulnerable communities have most to fear from polluting industries during bad storms.
Class and racial bias in where people live.
126
T/F. While there is growing evidence of extreme precipitation events caused by climate change happening in Africa and South America, there is also a lack of data that means current scientific analysis of the connection lacks high ‘confidence’.
True.
127
What are the three basic kinds of floods?
I.
II.
III.
I. Fluvial flood
II. Coastal flood
III. Flash flood
128
What are the two key ways climate change puts the water cycle in overdrive?
I.
II.
I. Higher water vapour
II. More water evaporating into the atmosphere
129
Extreme floods can be trigged by which of the following?
Intense precipitation
Longer duration of storms
Close repetition of precipitation events
Decreased atmospheric water vapour
Intense precipitation
Longer duration of storms
Close repetition of precipitation events
130
One key source of more precipitation in the U.S. is the intensification of a______________ r_______, air currents that carry moisture the tropics to the West Coast of the U.S..
Atmosphere rivers.
131
T/F. When it comes to river floods, current evidence suggests that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme flood events, but decreasing moderate floods and keeping overall number of floods close to consistent.
True.
132
An additional troubling reason flash floods are likely to get ‘flashier’ (in addition to shorter timing, higher magnitude) is that they will, in a cascade of climate disasters, increasingly follow what other extreme weather event?
Forest fire.
133
Currently floods cause more than _______ billion in damages globally on average every year.
40.
134
T/F. Since so much of the U.S. farmland is in the interior of the country, the ‘breadbasket’ of the U.S. is likely to be spared significant destruction from climate-change related flooding.
False.
135
Besides death, name two other ways flooding causes health problems.
I.
II.
I. Mental health
II. Bacteria infection
136
Give three causes of more droughts due to climate change.
I.
II.
III.
I. Higher and higher temperature
II. More heatwave
III. Decrease snowpack
137
What is the rare ‘weather double whammy’ (that is, what are the two interrelated problems intensifying each other?)? (B) And what kind of events do they increase the changes of?
(A)
(B) M_________________
(A) Prolong heatwave and prolong drought
(B) Megadroughts
138
Increase drought conditions are also conditions conducive to what other natural disaster which particularly affects dry forests?
Wildfire.
139
T/F. As a general rule about the probable effects of climate change on drought and shifts in precipitation, water areas of the world are likely to get wetter and already dry areas even drier.
True.
140
(a) What region of the U.S. is especially hard hit by droughts and predicted to be even more so in the future? (b) And what region id Africa is currently being hard hit by its worst drought in forty years?
a.
b.
a. Southeast region
b. Eastern Africa
141
The effects of drought on ecosystems and people are sometimes referred to as H_______________ S____________.
Hydrological stress.
142
What are two of the ways that droughts affect public health?
I.
II.
I. Food insecurity
II. Diseases
143
What is the primary way that droughts can affect transportation system?
Ships hard to been through along river.
144
What is the primary way that droughts affect energy systems?
Through hydroelectric dams.
145
Which of the following were listed in lecture as key causes of increased fires due to climate change?
Rising temperatures dry soils and make vegetation more flammable
Smaller and earlier melting winter snowpacks lead to drier conditions acting as kindling for fires
Insect outbreak weaken trees and make them more vulnerable to fire
Shifting rain patterns moving away from fire prone regions
Rising temperatures dry soils and make vegetation more flammable
Smaller and earlier melting winter snowpacks lead to drier conditions acting as kindling for fires
Insect outbreak weaken trees and make them more vulnerable to fire
Shifting rain patterns moving away from fire prone regions
146
List three of the negative impacts of fires discussed in lecture.
I.
II.
III.
I. Public health
II. Destructive to animal life
III. Loss of carbon sink
147
How many animals were killed or displaced during Australia’s fires in 2029 and 2020?
Over a billion.
148
T/F. Due to fires and development, parts of the Amazon rain forest are now emitting more carbon than they absorb.
True.
149
The fires in the Arctic peatlands are called “z________” fires since they burn underground durable the winter and reappear in the summer.
Zombie.
150
What ‘shift’ is the big worry climate scientists have about the arctic peatlands as global weather warms?
Shift from carbon sink to carbon source.
151
List three ways covered in lecture that climate change negatively impacts agricultural production.
I.
II.
III.
I. Rainfall shifting
II. Massive heatwave
III. Sea level rise
152
What two factors are expected to cause a 50% increase in the food needs to feed Earth’s people between 2020 and 2050?
I.
II.
I. Growing population
II. Resource intense food
153
T/F. Decreases in consumable food calories are already occurring in roughly half of the world’s food insecure countries.
True.
154
What two features of Africa’s agricultural production make it especially vulnerable to climate change’s effects on food production?
I.
II.
I. Lot of small plots
II. Rain fed agriculture
155
The biggest fear many analysts now concerns the predominance of a few basic crops in the global diet, their geographical concentration of production, and the growing possibility of simultaneous M___________ B___________ F___________.
Multiple breadbasket failure.
156
What two countries are expected to benefit most from cropland shifts and experience large increase in their agricultural production in the coming decades?
I.
II.
I. Russian north
II. North Canadian
157
What two main factors contribute to the uncertainties involved in projecting future agricultural impacts of climate change?
I.
II.
I. Farmer behaviour
II. Soil quality/ new technology
158
Smog and soot, the two basic forms of air pollution, both mostly come from the burning of what?
Fossil fuels
159
The WMO warns that the increase in the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves will are air quality worse, imposing a “C_________ P__________” particularly on poor urban dwellers.
Climate penalty.
160
What natural disaster is especially bad for air quality, even hundreds of miles from its site?
Wildfire.
161
With estimates rising, how many people does air pollution kill each year, according to recent research?
10 million people.
162
According to recent estimates, how many people does air pollution kill in China each year?
1 million
163
What percentage of global air pollution-related deaths occur in developing countries?
95%
164
What common seasonal ailment is expected to become much worse for people due to the impacts of climate change?
Allergies.
165
A World Bank report estimates that the health costs associated with air pollution costs of the world roughly _____% of global GDP.
6.1%
166
T/F. Pollution causes about six million premature births and nearly three million underweight babies each year.
True.
167
T/F. Their amount of skin, stage of organ development, and need for more air and hydration all make children much more susceptible to toxins in their air, water, and food.
True.
168
What is the different between direct and indirect economics costs of a country’s disease burden?
Direct:
Indirect:
Direct: Medical cost
Indirect: Labor productivity cost
169
T/F. According to the IPCC, each incremental increase in global temperatures will lead to more deaths from infectious diseases and other causes.
True.
170
Disease-carrying mosquitos already kill about how many people per year?
1 million.
171
List three of the diseases carried by mosquitos whose geographic range and deadly impact will likely increase in the coming decades due to climate change.
I.
II.
III.
I. Yellow fever
II. Dengue fever
III. Zika fever
172
How to wildfires increase disease problems?
Drive contact between wild animal and human.
173
How do droughts make the disease problem worse?
Food insecurity.
174
In what two primary ways does flooding make the disease problem worse?
I.
II.
I. Diarrhoea
II. Cholera
175
What is the term for diseases affecting humans that originate in animals?
Zoonotic.
176
Briefly explain how deforestation is causing more disease problems in human populations.
Drive contact between wild animal and human.
177
What two problems related to climate change are raising the risks of diarrheal disease mortality and morbidity, especially among young children in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
I.
II.
I. Heat
II. Flooded
178
Since 1500, due to the impacts of humans on the earth, the world has been experiencing very e___________ e__________ r______, and is currently 100 to 1000 times higher than the b_____________ e_____________ r_______.
Elevated extinction rate, background extinction rate.
179
Which of the following were listed in lecture as among the key benefits of biodiversity?
Helps improve, regenerate soils
Provides protection against inland and coastal floods and storms
More biodiverse marine systems produce larger fish catches
Wild pollination plays pivotal role in many agricultural systems
Plants are key sources of medicinal innovations
Biodiverse forests act as strong carbon sinks
Helps improve, regenerate soils
Provides protection against inland and coastal floods and storms
More biodiverse marine systems produce larger fish catches
Wild pollination plays pivotal role in many agricultural systems
Plants are key sources of medicinal innovations
Biodiverse forests act as strong carbon sinks
180
Recent studies suggest that on current path and due to climate change _____% of species face extinction by 2070; if global temperatures rise by 2.9 degrees, that percentage rises to _____%.
33%, 95%.
181
To escape what impacts of climate change, significant percentages of animal populations are showing movements in what three directions?
I.
II.
III.
I. Moving up mountain
II. Ocean life going to lower depth
III. Smaller living area
182
If the world warms another degree Celsius, coral reefs (among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet) face losses as high as ____%.
99%
183
What are three key threats to tree due to climate change?
I.
II.
III.
I. Diseases and pests
II. More heatwave
III. Droughts
184
T/F. Agriculture is a major driver of biodiversity loss.
True.
185
The agricultural sectors in what two regions of the world are likely to suffer the most from a collapse of ecosystem services?
I.
II.
I. South Asia
II. Sub-Saharan Africa
186
T/F. The World Bank argues that protecting global biodiversity is not merely an environmental issue, but an economic one, including significant declines in global GDP by 2030 if biodiversity loss continues.
True.
187
While many countries continue to put exploitation of natural resources ahead of conservation, the UN argues that global annual spending need to increase _________ by 2030 (from around 120 billion) if adequate protections for land areas are to be achieved.
2x 3x 4x 5x
3x
188
What international institutions hosted the 1972 Conference on the Human Environment?
United Nations
189
T/F. The 1972 Conference agreed to mostly broadly-stated environmental policy goals but lacked any concrete or detailed policy commitments or recommendations.
True.
190
What two principles are ‘balanced’ in the Principle 21.
I.
II.
I. Right to exploit natural resources
II. Do not harm other state’s environment
191
What does UNEP stand for?
United Nation Environmental Programme
192
Briefly explain the controversy and decision about where to locate UNEP headquarters.
Developed country: Geneva
Developing country: Nairobi
193
(a) What does MEA stand for? (b) And what is UNEP’s relationship to many MEA’s?
Multilateral Environmental Agreement. Administrative services.
194
What does ODS stand for?
Ozone depleting substances.
195
T/F. Due to pressure from rich countries, the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ is not a part of the Montreal Protocols, which many observers credit as being a key reason for its success.
False.
196
What features of the Montreal Protocol does the lecture list as significant achievements?
First international treaty to address a global environmental regulatory challenge
First agreement to have experts from key fields such as economics, chemicals, and the environment reported directly to the committee without edit or censorship
First agreement to recognize and allow for national differences in responsibility and financial capacity to respond
First treaty with a Board that included democratic composition, that is, equal representation between countries from both the developed and developing regions of the world
First agreement to successfully institute a cap and trade program on carbon emissions
First international treaty to address a global environmental regulatory challenge
First agreement to have experts from key fields such as economics, chemicals, and the environment reported directly to the committee without edit or censorship
First agreement to recognize and allow for national differences in responsibility and financial capacity to respond
First treaty with a Board that included democratic composition, that is, equal representation between countries from both the developed and developing regions of the world
197
(a) Briefly, explain why HFC production suddenly boomed after passage of the Montreal Protocols? (b) Explain their impact on the ozone layer. (c) And what key problem do they cause?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a) Chemical substitute for CFC
(b) No impact
(c) Greenhouse gases
198
How did the Kigali Amendment divide up the world’s countries, and what key difference does it make between them?
Different rates of reduction between developed and developing countries.
199
T/F. The passing of the Kigali Amendment by the U.S. Senate was the first international climate change treaty it had approved in 30 years.
True.
200
What group in the U.S. played a pivotal role in the passing of the Kigali Amendment, and why did they support the agreement?
U.S. business class. They will have trade restrictions.
201
Despite the incredible success of the Montreal Protocols (99.7% decline in CFCs by 2018), recently some researchers have begun to gather evidence of what problem? Which makes them suspect what other issue has emerged? And what makes all of this such a mystery of an issue to solve?
Uptick in ODS. Some countries or companies use this chemical without reporting. And don’t have a good science to keep track.
202
T/F. The UNFCC is an international treaty signed in 1992 to create an international forum to help combat ‘dangerous human interference with the climate system’.
True.
203
T/F. In this early climate agreement, mitigation was listed as a key goal but not adaption.
False.
204
What (i) regular set of meetings and what (ii) regular climate report have come out of the creation of the UNFCC?
(i) The cop
(ii) IPCC report
205
What are two criticisms made of the UNFCC?
(I)
(II)
(I) Inefficient environmental policy
(II) Insufficient decision making
206
T/F. At the core of the Kyoto Protocol is a carbon emission trading scheme through which countries that produce more emissions than they been allowed ‘trade’ for carbon credits with countries that have produced less, usually by helping such countries create ‘carbon sinks’.
True.
207
T/F. Despite significant support for the proposal, technology transfers from rich to poor countries were not included in the final version of the Kyoto Protocol, which was a significant mistake said critics then and now.
False.
208
T/F. The U.S. Senate, whose support would have been needed for ratification of the treaty, scuttled any attempt by the U.S. to join the Kyoto Protocol known in a 95 to 0 vote resolving no participation by the U.S. in any agreement that did not demand reductions by developing countries.
True.
209
Which of the following are among the most significant criticisms of the Kyoto Protocol?
Included too many countries in the initial negotiations, and should have focused on ambitious agreements among top emitters first
Divided the world between developed and developing, which created antagonism between the two groups
Significant skepticism about the authenticity of the accounting of carbon offset programs
Lacked any meaningful sanctions or penalties for noncompliance
Included too many countries in the initial negotiations, and should have focused on ambitious agreements among top emitters first
Divided the world between developed and developing, which created antagonism between the two groups
Significant skepticism about the authenticity of the accounting of carbon offset programs
Lacked any meaningful sanctions or penalties for noncompliance
210
T/F. Significant amounts of the reductions ‘achieved’ by the Kyoto Protocols were actually caused by the collapse of former Soviet economies and the 2008 financial crash.
True.
211
What does WTO stand for and what does it do?
World Trade Organisation: manage world’s free trade system
212
Within the WTO agreement, countries are allowed to have environmental regulations of trade so long as they satisfy what two conditions?
(I)
(II)
(I) Non-discriminatory bans
(II) backed by science
213
What was at the center of the key environmental/ trade case at the WTO between the U.S. and India, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand. (I.e. , what was U.S. policy and what did other countries claim about this rule?)
Ban of shrimp without turtle save nets.
214
List two of the ways or issues that are on the WTO’s agenda and provide a possibility for it to become a more important influence on climate and environmental problems.
(I)
(II)
(I) reporting on environmental issues
(II) reporting on supply chain
