Environmental Exam II Chapters 12, 13, 14
Between the years 2001 and 2015, how many of the hottest 15 years ever occurred? -
ANS- 14 out of 15 years
In the 1990s, what happened to the average temperature curve? What effect does this
have on the climate? - ANS- The average temperature curve shifted further. In the last 10
years, the extremely hot days have become more numerous than the cooler-than-average
days. We still have cool days. We still have cold days. But these extremely hot days are
becoming much more numerous.
Since the year 2000, what dramatic change has occurred at the Swiss Camp Station in
Greenland? What does this demonstrate? - ANS- the Swiss Camp Climate Station has
lost 12 meters of ice. This demonstrates that the land-based ice in Greenland is melting
at an accelerated rate
What causes the moulins to push their way under the ice sheet? What effect does this
have on the ice sheet as friction is reduced? - ANS- Moulins push through the ice sheet
because water is heavier than ice. They burrow to the bottom of the ice and reduce
friction between the ice sheet and the land upon which it sits, causing the flow of the ice
sheet to the ocean to speed up.
What is happening in Miami and Fort Lauderdale? What are city engineers doing to
combat the problem? - ANS- Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and all of South Florida are
experiencing increased flooding events due to climate change. They are trying to fight
the problem by raising roads and putting in water pumps. The engineers are raising the
roads to account for 1 foot level of sea rise
How much sea level rise is projected for South Florida in this century? - ANS- 7 or more
feet
How many of the top 10 cities at risk from sea level rise are in Asia? - ANS- 9 out of 10
What drastic measure has the nation of Kiribati taken as a result of continued sea level
rise? - ANS- Kiribati has purchased land in other countries to move its entire population.
The citizens of Kiribati are becoming environmental refugees as a result of climate
change.
In order to solve the environmental crisis, what does Al Gore think has to be fixed first?
Why does he think so? - ANS- Gore says that the "democracy crisis" has to be fixed
, first. He asserts that big money has so much influence now that democracy has been
"hacked" and large political contributors are now calling the shots
What happened to the DSCOVR climate satellite program? What opportunity does Gore
think was lost as a result? - ANS- President Bush cancelled the program for political
reasons having to do with resistance to the fact of climate change. Gore thought the
opportunity to build enough public support to get on track to solving the crisis was lost.
How did Christina Figueres, Executive Secretary UNFCC, suggest to Gore deal with the
sole holdout on the Paris agreement? - ANS- Figueres said that it would be helpful if the
focus on renewables could be seen from a developing country's perspective and that
Gore should devote time to this
How much energy do we get from the sun on an hourly basis? - ANS- more energy from
the sun than the entire global economy uses for an entire year
How much of the energy needs of Georgetown, Texas is currently being supplied by
renewable energy? What are they aiming for? Why is Georgetown's decision to go with
renewable energy so surprising? - ANS- Georgetown, Texas is getting 90% of its energy
needs from renewable sources. Their goal is the be the largest city in the United States
that uses renewable energy technology for 100% of its energy needs. This is surprising
because Georgetown is "is the reddest city (i.e., the most conservative) in the reddest
county in Texas, and [the mayor is] a conservative Republican."
What advice does Al Gore give at the end of the documentary to people concerned about
the climate crisis? Where does he say we are now in the environmental movement? What
does he mean by this? - ANS- Gore told us not to despair. He said that we are close to
the "tipping point" beyond which the movement is resolved into a choice between right
and wrong. Ultimately, Gore said the movement will succeed because it is a moral issue.
What are three other consequences of the global warming besides increased storm
activity? - ANS- As a result of the warming of the oceans, water vapor coming off the
ocean increases significantly and more of it falls at the same time, causing a
phenomenon now referred to as "rain bombs."
In addition, heat sucks soil moisture out of the ground, making droughts deeper and
longer.
Increased atmospheric temperatures also causes vegetation to dry out, causing fires to
increase
Which of the following statements is true? - ANS- Most of Earth's fresh water is frozen.
Between the years 2001 and 2015, how many of the hottest 15 years ever occurred? -
ANS- 14 out of 15 years
In the 1990s, what happened to the average temperature curve? What effect does this
have on the climate? - ANS- The average temperature curve shifted further. In the last 10
years, the extremely hot days have become more numerous than the cooler-than-average
days. We still have cool days. We still have cold days. But these extremely hot days are
becoming much more numerous.
Since the year 2000, what dramatic change has occurred at the Swiss Camp Station in
Greenland? What does this demonstrate? - ANS- the Swiss Camp Climate Station has
lost 12 meters of ice. This demonstrates that the land-based ice in Greenland is melting
at an accelerated rate
What causes the moulins to push their way under the ice sheet? What effect does this
have on the ice sheet as friction is reduced? - ANS- Moulins push through the ice sheet
because water is heavier than ice. They burrow to the bottom of the ice and reduce
friction between the ice sheet and the land upon which it sits, causing the flow of the ice
sheet to the ocean to speed up.
What is happening in Miami and Fort Lauderdale? What are city engineers doing to
combat the problem? - ANS- Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and all of South Florida are
experiencing increased flooding events due to climate change. They are trying to fight
the problem by raising roads and putting in water pumps. The engineers are raising the
roads to account for 1 foot level of sea rise
How much sea level rise is projected for South Florida in this century? - ANS- 7 or more
feet
How many of the top 10 cities at risk from sea level rise are in Asia? - ANS- 9 out of 10
What drastic measure has the nation of Kiribati taken as a result of continued sea level
rise? - ANS- Kiribati has purchased land in other countries to move its entire population.
The citizens of Kiribati are becoming environmental refugees as a result of climate
change.
In order to solve the environmental crisis, what does Al Gore think has to be fixed first?
Why does he think so? - ANS- Gore says that the "democracy crisis" has to be fixed
, first. He asserts that big money has so much influence now that democracy has been
"hacked" and large political contributors are now calling the shots
What happened to the DSCOVR climate satellite program? What opportunity does Gore
think was lost as a result? - ANS- President Bush cancelled the program for political
reasons having to do with resistance to the fact of climate change. Gore thought the
opportunity to build enough public support to get on track to solving the crisis was lost.
How did Christina Figueres, Executive Secretary UNFCC, suggest to Gore deal with the
sole holdout on the Paris agreement? - ANS- Figueres said that it would be helpful if the
focus on renewables could be seen from a developing country's perspective and that
Gore should devote time to this
How much energy do we get from the sun on an hourly basis? - ANS- more energy from
the sun than the entire global economy uses for an entire year
How much of the energy needs of Georgetown, Texas is currently being supplied by
renewable energy? What are they aiming for? Why is Georgetown's decision to go with
renewable energy so surprising? - ANS- Georgetown, Texas is getting 90% of its energy
needs from renewable sources. Their goal is the be the largest city in the United States
that uses renewable energy technology for 100% of its energy needs. This is surprising
because Georgetown is "is the reddest city (i.e., the most conservative) in the reddest
county in Texas, and [the mayor is] a conservative Republican."
What advice does Al Gore give at the end of the documentary to people concerned about
the climate crisis? Where does he say we are now in the environmental movement? What
does he mean by this? - ANS- Gore told us not to despair. He said that we are close to
the "tipping point" beyond which the movement is resolved into a choice between right
and wrong. Ultimately, Gore said the movement will succeed because it is a moral issue.
What are three other consequences of the global warming besides increased storm
activity? - ANS- As a result of the warming of the oceans, water vapor coming off the
ocean increases significantly and more of it falls at the same time, causing a
phenomenon now referred to as "rain bombs."
In addition, heat sucks soil moisture out of the ground, making droughts deeper and
longer.
Increased atmospheric temperatures also causes vegetation to dry out, causing fires to
increase
Which of the following statements is true? - ANS- Most of Earth's fresh water is frozen.
