Assignment: The greenhouse effect is caused
Question 1. The greenhouse effect is caused by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
True
False
Question 2. Which statement is true regarding nuclear energy?
Nuclear power produces no greenhouse gasses and thus poses no environmental threats.
Nuclear plants rely on a massive industrial infrastructure using fossil fuels.
Due to strict safety regulations, nuclear power does not increase the threat of genetic mutation to nearby citizens.
Nuclear energy produces little to no waste and is thus preferable to other sources of energy.
None of the above statements are true regarding nuclear energy.
Question 3. What is the central theme of the "As Cheap as Coal" portion in Section 8.1 of your text?
The cost of renewable energy is too high for massive adoption within the U.S.
The cost of renewable energy is currently about the same or less than traditional coal generated power.
Pollution generated from renewable sources is actually greater than that produced by coal due to the incorporation of toxic batteries.
The overall costs of wind and hydroenergy range from 20-30 cents per kWh. All of the above statements are true
Question 4. What is the central difference between climate and weather discussed in your text?
There is no scientific difference between climate and weather and as such the terms may be used interchangeably.
Climate is the average weather over a long period of time while weather refers to the short term conditions.
Weather is the average climate over a long period of time while climate refers to the short term conditions.
Climate refers to conditions in a specific region of the world while weather refers to the global climate.
None of the above are differences between climate and weather.
Question 5. Net-zero energy refers to a building or installation that produces less energy than it consumes, considered to be energy reliant.
True
False
Question 6. Which statement best summarizes the world's reaction to stratospheric ozone depletion discussed in Chapter 7.4 of your text?
The global scale of ozone depleting chemicals makes the environmental problem of ozone depletion nearly impossible to solve.
International cooperation led to a significant decrease in ozone depleting chemicals that could allow natural processes to heal the ozone layer within about 50 years.
While initial efforts decreased ozone depleting chemicals, in recent years the reemergence of pollutants has led to an expansion of the ozone hole.
Through the Vienna Protocol, ozone depleting chemicals were reduced by over 90% by 1998.
None of the statements summarize the world's reaction to ozone depletion.
Question 7. Climate change studies suggest the worst impacts will be felt by the wealthiest people.
True
False
Question 8. Life-cycle cost is the sum of all recurring and one-time (non-recurring) costs over the full life span of a good, service, structure, or system.
True
False
Question 9. Which statement is not true regarding hydroelectric power?
Hydropower can play a large part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions since it does not require fuel to generate.
The construction of dams to produce hydropower can be extremely expensive and is often seen as a disadvantage of this energy source.
Hydropower is highly reliable and has been a proven technology over time.
Aside from the high investment costs for the construction of dams, hydroelectric power has no ecological or environmental disadvantages.
All of the above statements are true.
Question 10. Which of the following is an impact of increased ocean acidification as caused by global climate change?
Low pH seawater alters calcium carbonate concentrations which reduce the ability of many animals to build shells.
Increased acidification leads to expansion of coral reef populations.
Low pH seawater results in greater whale populations, which in turn skew biological ocean communities.
Increased acidification leads to lower water temperatures which kill many aquatic species.
All of the above statements are impacts of increased ocean acidification.