Global Environmental Change Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is a key goal of the course regarding scientific inquiry?

  • To focus exclusively on climate policy
  • To introduce students to the fundamentals of scientific research (correct)
  • To isolate scientific principles from real-world applications
  • To minimize the importance of scientific debates in climate change

    • What emphasis will the course place on the issues of climate change?

  • Science as the main focus, with minimal policy discussion (correct)
  • Political agendas and media representation
  • Economics and sociology over scientific principles
  • Scientific practices and artistic interpretations

    • Which of the following is true about modern humans' environmental impact?

  • All non-human species have as wide a diet as humans do
  • Modern humans have always had a significant environmental footprint
  • The global environmental footprint of ancient societies was small (correct)
  • Early humans were specialized in exploiting one food source only

    • What aspect of climate change is highlighted in the course’s objectives?

    <p>The human influence on climate over the last and coming century</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What will students practice in relation to climate change issues during the course?

    <p>Critical thinking skills and their application</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are the authors of the optional textbooks for additional background on climate change?

    <p>David Archer and Andrew E. Dessler</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What important characteristic distinguishes human consumption patterns from those of most non-human species?

    <p>Humans consume a remarkably wide variety of plants and animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long ago did modern humans emerge as hunter-gatherers?

    <p>200,000 years ago</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What allowed early humans to inhabit a wide variety of environments?

    <p>Hunter-gatherer techniques</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which habitat types did early humans colonize according to the content?

    <p>Tropical savannah and polar tundra</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant indicator of human adaptability mentioned in the passage?

    <p>Creative exploitation of natural resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When did humans occupy all land masses, based on the content?

    <p>15,000 years ago</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has contributed to the pressure on the planet's resources in recent history?

    <p>Steady increase in human population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What energy source did the internal combustion engine substitute?

    <p>Human muscle and renewable energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant change occurred in human population dynamics after civilization began?

    <p>Population rose steadily and exploded recently</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is mitochondrial DNA significant in understanding human migration?

    <p>It reflects the time since populations diverged</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant technological development occurred in the late 18th century?

    <p>The combustion engine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process converts atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia?

    <p>Haber-Bosch process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percent of natural gas sources are utilized for the industrial-scale Haber-Bosch process?

    <p>~4%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a major environmental consequence of burning coal in the 19th century United Kingdom?

    <p>Smog</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which region did poor air quality primarily develop due to gasoline-burning automobiles in the 20th century?

    <p>Los Angeles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which countries are highlighted as current epicenters of air pollution?

    <p>China and India</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What critical role does ammonia play in agriculture?

    <p>It serves as a nitrogen source for fertilizers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the first location to implement a Haber-Bosch reactor?

    <p>Oppau plant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of deforestation worldwide?

    <p>To use land for agriculture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the original tropical forests still exists today?

    <p>25%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which regions does forest remain largely intact as of the year 2000?

    <p>Congo Basin and isolated Amazon areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of monoculture agriculture?

    <p>Elimination of various species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following regions is most at risk of losing its forests by the end of the century?

    <p>Bangladesh and India</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What area of land is lost to deforestation approximately every three years?

    <p>An area equivalent to the state of California</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major negative effect of industrial farming practices?

    <p>Systematic elimination of insects and other species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many square kilometers of forest are deforested each year worldwide?

    <p>150,000 square km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major factor contributing to the stress on marine ecosystems?

    <p>Ocean warming</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of reefs globally were affected by bleaching between 2014 and 2017?

    <p>75%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary structural material secreted by coral reefs?

    <p>Calcium carbonate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to fish stocks in industrialized nations compared to developing countries?

    <p>They are relatively well-managed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which fishery is mentioned as an example of collapse?

    <p>Cod fishery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does ocean acidification affect coral reefs?

    <p>Threatens reef-building corals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant impact of human activities on the ocean mentioned in the content?

    <p>Pollution and agricultural runoff</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What color indicates a high impact area on the human impact map of the ocean?

    <p>Red</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Global Environmental Change

    • Modern humans (Homo Sapiens) emerged in Africa ~200,000 years ago as hunter-gatherer societies.
    • Early human societies had a small environmental footprint due to their small population.
    • Humans have an unusually wide variety of food sources compared to other species.
    • Humans colonized all land masses by the end of the last ice age (15,000 years ago).
    • Human population has risen steadily since the beginning of civilization and exploded within the last few hundred years.
    • The internal combustion engine, invented in the late 18th century, revolutionized transportation, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
    • The Haber-Bosch process converts atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia, a vital fertilizer for agriculture, supporting population growth.
    • Coal burning in industrial cities caused severe smog in the 19th century, particularly in the United Kingdom.
    • Reliance on gasoline-burning automobiles caused air pollution in Los Angeles in the 20th century.
    • China and India face severe air pollution today due to reliance on coal-fired electricity plants.
    • Deforestation, primarily for agriculture, occurs at a rate of 150,000 square kilometers per year.
    • Tropical forests have been reduced from 16 million to 8 million square kilometers.
    • Monoculture agriculture leads to the loss of biodiversity by planting a single species over large areas.
    • Modern fishing methods have led to the collapse of several regional fisheries, such as the cod fishery off the coast of Newfoundland.
    • The ocean faces a multitude of stressors, including pollution, agricultural runoff, fishing, warming, and acidification.
    • Coral reefs, which support 25% of ocean species, are sensitive to marine heatwaves and have experienced significant bleaching events in recent decades.
    • The majority of the ocean is affected by human activities, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
    • The discovery of the ozone hole was a major environmental concern, leading to international agreements to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

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    Lecture 1: Global Environmental Change PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the significant changes in the environment due to human activity from the emergence of Homo Sapiens to the industrial era. This quiz covers topics such as population growth, agricultural advancements, and pollution issues. Perfect for those studying environmental science and history.

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