Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason greenhouse gases are referred to as a 'ticking time bomb'?
What is the primary reason greenhouse gases are referred to as a 'ticking time bomb'?
The concentration of greenhouse gases has decreased since the 18th century.
The concentration of greenhouse gases has decreased since the 18th century.
False
Who was the first scientist to link carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels to global warming?
Who was the first scientist to link carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels to global warming?
Svante Arrhenius
The greenhouse effect traps heat within the Earth's atmosphere by absorbing it with gases like ________.
The greenhouse effect traps heat within the Earth's atmosphere by absorbing it with gases like ________.
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Match the scientist with their contribution to the understanding of greenhouse gases:
Match the scientist with their contribution to the understanding of greenhouse gases:
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What has been the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels since industrial times?
What has been the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels since industrial times?
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The greenhouse effect is solely a natural process and has nothing to do with human activities.
The greenhouse effect is solely a natural process and has nothing to do with human activities.
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By how much have global sea levels risen since 1880?
By how much have global sea levels risen since 1880?
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Rising sea levels are only a problem in the United States.
Rising sea levels are only a problem in the United States.
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What percentage of the U.S. population lives near the coast?
What percentage of the U.S. population lives near the coast?
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The ocean absorbs over 90% of the excess heat, causing the volume of water to increase due to __________.
The ocean absorbs over 90% of the excess heat, causing the volume of water to increase due to __________.
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Match the following effects of rising sea levels to their descriptions:
Match the following effects of rising sea levels to their descriptions:
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What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions is deforestation responsible for?
What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions is deforestation responsible for?
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Tropical rainforests are essential for keeping the climate stable.
Tropical rainforests are essential for keeping the climate stable.
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What is one of the biggest drivers of forest loss in the Amazon?
What is one of the biggest drivers of forest loss in the Amazon?
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Forests store more carbon than all the world's _______ fuel reserves combined.
Forests store more carbon than all the world's _______ fuel reserves combined.
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What is a major consequence of cutting down trees?
What is a major consequence of cutting down trees?
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Deforestation impacts are the same across the globe.
Deforestation impacts are the same across the globe.
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What action could potentially prevent up to half of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions?
What action could potentially prevent up to half of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions?
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Match the following causes of deforestation with their descriptions:
Match the following causes of deforestation with their descriptions:
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California's intense wildfires are worsened by both climate change and ________.
California's intense wildfires are worsened by both climate change and ________.
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What percentage of the Amazon's deforestation is due to animal agriculture?
What percentage of the Amazon's deforestation is due to animal agriculture?
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Protecting forests can help combat climate change.
Protecting forests can help combat climate change.
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What is projected to be the world population by 2050?
What is projected to be the world population by 2050?
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What gas produced by cattle is considered more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term?
What gas produced by cattle is considered more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term?
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Animal agriculture is responsible for nearly _% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Animal agriculture is responsible for nearly _% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
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Reducing meat, dairy, and sugar consumption by 50% could positively impact the environment.
Reducing meat, dairy, and sugar consumption by 50% could positively impact the environment.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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What percentage of farmland is dedicated to feeding livestock?
What percentage of farmland is dedicated to feeding livestock?
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The agricultural sector accounts for _____ percent of the greenhouse effect.
The agricultural sector accounts for _____ percent of the greenhouse effect.
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What is one action suggested to reduce deforestation?
What is one action suggested to reduce deforestation?
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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Livestock farming contributes 42% of agricultural emissions in the U.S.
Livestock farming contributes 42% of agricultural emissions in the U.S.
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How many liters of methane can one cow emit in a year?
How many liters of methane can one cow emit in a year?
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Which of the following is a consequence of a meat-heavy diet?
Which of the following is a consequence of a meat-heavy diet?
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Supporting organizations that work to save forests is important to ensure a healthy _ for future generations.
Supporting organizations that work to save forests is important to ensure a healthy _ for future generations.
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Fossil fuels are the primary driver of climate change.
Fossil fuels are the primary driver of climate change.
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Which organization is recommended for further reading on the topic of climate and animal agriculture?
Which organization is recommended for further reading on the topic of climate and animal agriculture?
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What are two diseases that could be reduced by adopting a plant-based diet?
What are two diseases that could be reduced by adopting a plant-based diet?
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About _____ percent of food is wasted in the U.S.
About _____ percent of food is wasted in the U.S.
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What could a plant-based diet potentially save in healthcare costs by 2050?
What could a plant-based diet potentially save in healthcare costs by 2050?
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Study Notes
Greenhouse Gases
- Greenhouse gases trap outgoing heat, increasing temperatures.
- Anthropogenic climate change threatens the greenhouse effect.
- Naturally, Earth's temperature is 15°C without GHG; without it, it would be -20°C.
- Human activities have increased atmospheric CO2 by 50% since the 18th century.
- CO2 levels are now 150% of their 1750 value.
- This imbalance affects weather and climate systems, resulting in climate change.
Greenhouse Gases and their Impact
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) accounts for 75% of emissions. Released by burning fossil fuels.
- Methane (CH4) is 84 times more harmful than CO2 over two decades. From agriculture (livestock), natural gas, and landfills.
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is 264 times more harmful than CO2 over 20 years. From agriculture (fertilizers) and burning fossil fuels.
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are industrial gases, used in refrigerants, solvents, and spray cans.
Consequences of Rising Greenhouse Gas Levels
- Polar ice sheets are melting, raising sea levels, threatening coastal regions.
- Warmer temperatures lead to more intense storms, flooding, droughts, and heatwaves.
- Disruptions to agriculture, water supplies, and food security.
- Urban areas are more vulnerable to air pollution and smog.
- Increased respiratory diseases like asthma and lung cancer.
- Risks of a disastrous change in the climate that may make the planet uninhabitable.
Deforestation
- Forests are vital for our planet, absorbing CO2 (carbon dioxide).
- Deforestation and forest degradation release stored carbon into the atmosphere.
- 80% of deforestation is for livestock farming.
- Deforestation worsens climate change, making extreme events worse (e.g., California wildfires).
The Sun and Global Temperature
- Current global warming is not explained by solar irradiance.
- The Sun's natural 11-year cycle has not led to an increase in global temperature since 1880.
The impact of Animal Agriculture
- Animal agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, with 15% of global emissions.
- Bovine produce the most methane, over 25 times more potent than CO2 short-term.
- Livestock farming is responsible for 42% of agricultural emissions in the U.S.
- Meat consumption is a major factor regarding climate change since it contributes to environmental damage.
Rising Sea Levels
- Sea levels have risen by 24 cm since 1880 (an average of 3.3 mm per year).
- Continued increases in temperature will lead to more rapid rises in sea levels by up to 1.8 meters.
- Melting ice from Greenland and Antarctica would result in a 66-meter rise in sea levels.
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Description
This quiz explores the various greenhouse gases, their sources, and the significant impact they have on climate change. It covers the role of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons in increasing atmospheric temperatures and disrupting weather systems. Test your knowledge on how human activities contribute to the greenhouse effect and its consequences for the planet.
