Climate Change and Ecology Quiz

Climate change refers to the long-term shift in global weather patterns, primarily caused by the increase in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, causing the Earth's average temperature to rise, leading to various environmental consequences.

The main sources of GHGs, which contribute to climate change, are the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes. Other significant sources include deforestation and agricultural practices.

Melting glaciers at unprecedented rates, more frequent and intense storms (hurricanes, floods), rising sea levels, and shifts in plant and animal life patterns are all indicators of climate change.

Radio talk shows, blogs, and Wikipedia are generally less reliable sources of information about climate change compared to sources that end in '.gov' or '.gc' (governmental websites).

Yes, addressing climate change can actually benefit the economy by creating jobs in renewable energy industries, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and promoting sustainable development.

An ecological footprint measures the amount of resources (land, water, energy) a person, community, or country uses, including the impact on the environment due to their consumption.

We can reduce our footprint by making conscious choices like opting for public transport or walking, choosing locally grown produce, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing waste.

Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations.

Selective cutting is a forest management practice where only certain trees are harvested, leaving others to regenerate and maintain the forest's health and biodiversity. This helps ensure the forest's long-term sustainability.

Oil sands, also known as tar sands, are a mixture of oil, sand, water, and clay found in Alberta, Canada. The oil is extracted through open-pit or strip mining. It's a controversial resource due to its environmental impacts.

Open-pit mining destroys vast areas of land, requires heavy machinery, and generates significant amounts of greenhouse gases. It also risks polluting water sources and disrupts local ecosystems.

Oil sands provide substantial economic benefits, such as jobs, revenue, and investment in infrastructure. However, these benefits must be weighed against the environmental costs.

Oil sands development often encroaches on traditional First Nations territories and threatens culturally and economically significant lands, potentially disrupting hunting grounds and traditional ways of life.

Metallic minerals yield a metal when melted and are often found in igneous or metamorphic rocks. Non-metallic minerals don't change their form when melted and are commonly found in sedimentary rocks.

Strip mining is used for shallow deposits, open-pit mining for minerals closer to the surface, and underground mining for deep deposits. Each method has its own environmental impact and suitability.

Melting glaciers and floods can make it difficult to locate and access diamonds. Accessing these resources can be costly, and there are environmental concerns associated with diamond extraction.

A renewable resource can be replenished naturally within a human lifetime, typically less than 70 years. Examples include trees, wind energy, and solar energy.

Primary jobs involve the extraction of raw materials, secondary jobs process and manufacture products, and tertiary jobs provide services related to these products.

A non-renewable resource takes more than a human lifetime to replenish, typically more than 70 years. Examples include oil, coal, and natural gas.

Microfit and the Niagara Tunnel are renewable energy projects that aim to provide clean energy. Microfit encourages solar and wind power adoption, while the Niagara Tunnel diverts water flow to generate electricity. Hydroelectric dams, while generating energy, have significant environmental impacts like habitat alteration and potential flooding.

Overfishing, destructive fishing practices like drag netting, advancements in technology like sonar that made it easier to locate fish, and large-scale commercial fishing vessels all contributed to the collapse of the cod fishery.

Overfishing, diseases in fish, harmful algae blooms, and deforestation (clear cutting), which reduces habitat for salmon, contribute to the challenges in managing this fishery.

Longlining can lead to high mortality rates for birds that get caught on the lines, while drag netting destroys seabed habitats and captures unwanted species.

People falling overboard, vessel collisions, dangerous machinery, and harsh weather conditions make fishing a highly risky occupation.

Invasive species, agricultural fertilizers polluting water, shoreline alterations, and industrial pollution all impact the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem and the fishing industry.

The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It involves evaporation, condensation, precipitation, surface runoff, groundwater infiltration, and discharge.

Canada has five major watersheds: the Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson Bay. Each watershed drains water from different regions into a major body of water.

Freshwater is essential for drinking, irrigation, and many industrial processes. However, most of the Earth's water is saltwater, and freshwater availability is limited by glaciers, ice caps, and groundwater.

We can reduce our water usage by taking shorter showers, using water-efficient appliances (like low-flush toilets), and fixing leaks promptly.

Source reduction is the most important waste management strategy, followed by reuse, recycling, treatment, and finally disposal. Aim to reduce waste at the source whenever possible.

Mindful purchasing, using reusable items, going digital, streamlining production processes, and repairing items instead of discarding them can all contribute to waste reduction.

Each province has specific resources, such as BC: forestry, salmon, and coal; AB: oil, beef, and wheat; SK: potash, wheat, and natural gas; ON: fruits and vegetables, minerals, and nuclear electricity; QC: hydroelectricity, dairy, and maple syrup; PEI: lobster and potatoes; NU: seal pelts and tourism; YK: gold.

The USA and China are Canada's primary trading partners due to their developed economies, demand for Canadian goods, and proximity (in the case of the USA).

South America has similar resources to Canada, reducing the demand for Canadian products. Africa's economic challenges limit its ability to produce and trade goods.

A tariff is a tax on imported goods, aimed at protecting domestic industries. The World Trade Organization (WTO) resolves trade disputes between countries.

Canada's major exports include crude petroleum, cars, natural gas, refined petroleum, and gold. Imports include cars, refined petroleum, motor vehicles, delivery trucks, and crude petroleum.

Historically, Canada's economy was dominated by primary jobs in sectors like mining and agriculture. Over time, the economy shifted towards manufacturing and services, with tertiary jobs now being the most common.