BI 306 Final

What does the acronym IPCC stand for?

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

When was the IPCC established?

1988

Which two organizations founded the IPCC?

World Meteorological Association (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

What is the main purpose of the IPCC?

To inform policy makers about the scientific basis of climate change, its potential risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation

Which IPCC assessment report was recently released?

The sixth assessment report (AR6)

What role does the IPCC play in the UNFCCC's annual climate negotiations?

It plays a key role in providing scientific information and guidance to inform climate policy decisions

What does the acronym UNFCCC stand for?

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

What annual meeting is held by the UNFCCC?

Conference of Parties (COP)

Which COP meeting is taking place in Dubai?

COP-28

When was the IPCC's 1st Assessment Report published?

1990

What were the approximate GHG levels at the time of the 1st Assessment Report?

\~350 ppm

How was the tone of the statement in the 1st Assessment Report?

Not super serious

What event did the 1st Assessment Report pave the way for?

The Earth Summit, which led to future treaties limiting GHG emissions

What is another name for the Earth Summit?

COP meetings (Conference of Parties)

When was the IPCC's 2nd Assessment Report published?

1995

What were the approximate GHG levels at the time of the 2nd Assessment Report?

365 ppm

Which significant international agreement was signed after the 2nd Assessment Report?

Kyoto Protocol in 1997

What was the purpose of the Kyoto Protocol?

A multinational pact to reduce GHG emissions

During which COP meeting was the Kyoto Protocol signed?

COP-1

Which two countries removed themselves from the Kyoto Protocol in 2012?

Canada and the United States

Why would Canada have been fined $14 billion if they stayed in the Kyoto Protocol?

They did not meet their GHG emissions reduction target

Did the remaining countries in the Kyoto Protocol meet their first round targets?

Yes

When was the IPCC's 3rd Assessment Report published?

2001

What were the approximate GHG levels at the time of the 3rd Assessment Report?

388 ppm

How was the language used in the 3rd Assessment Report?

Still weak language

When did the Kyoto Protocol come into effect?

2005

When did the Kyoto Protocol expire?

2020

How much did overall emissions increase between 1990 and 2010?

32%

When was the IPCC's 4th Assessment Report published?

2007

What were the approximate GHG levels at the time of the 4th Assessment Report?

407 ppm

What was the main conclusion of the 4th Assessment Report?

Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely (>90% chance) due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations

How did the 4th Assessment Report change the language regarding human influence on climate change?

It firmly stated that humans are the cause

What prestigious award did the IPCC share in 2007?

The Nobel Peace Prize

When was the IPCC's 5th Assessment Report published?

2013

What were the approximate GHG levels at the time of the 5th Assessment Report

413 ppm

Which international agreement was the 5th Assessment Report instrumental in developing?

The Paris Agreement

What is the main goal of the Paris Agreement?

To limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius

During which COP meeting was the Paris Agreement signed?

COP21

When was the IPCC's 6th Assessment Report published?

2023

What is the main conclusion of the 6th Assessment Report?

Human activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gases, have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C above 1850–1900 in 2011–2020.

Does the IPCC conduct its own research, including modeling or measurements?

No, it assesses and synthesizes the existing scientific literature

What is the focus of IPCC Working Group I?

The Physical Science Basis of climate change

What does the reconstructed climate hockey-stick graph represent?

The rapid increase in global temperatures between 1850-2020

How does sulfur dioxide affect the climate?

It reflects sunlight due to the albedo effect, causing a cooling effect, but overall warming still occurs

What are some observed changes in climate extremes?

Increases in hot extremes, heavy precipitation, and extreme drought

What is the focus of IPCC Working Group II?

Impacts, Adaptations, and Vulnerability related to climate change

What are some high-confidence impacts of climate change on ecosystems?

Changes in structure, range shifts, and changes in timing (phenology)

What are Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)?

modeled scenarios used to explore different future climate change trajectories based on various societal and economic developments

What is SSP1?

Sustainability - A scenario where the whole world works together, focusing on curbing climate change, such as through the Paris Agreement

What is SSP2?

Middle of the Road - A scenario where global development follows a moderate path with no drastic changes in society or economy

What is SSP3?

Regional Rivalry (A Rocky Road) - A scenario where countries focus on self-interest and competition, leading to a more fragmented and less collaborative world

What is SSP4?

Inequality (A Road Divided) - A scenario where disparities between and within countries grow, with a focus on regional solutions and less global cooperation

What is SSP5?

Fossil-fueled Development (Taking the Highway) - A scenario where the global economy continues to rely on fossil fuels, leading to high greenhouse gas emissions and a focus on technological solutions

How does vulnerability to climate change impacts vary?

There are variations in vulnerability among regions and species

What do scenario narratives describe?

Possible adaptations and the increased severity of species loss with regional differences

What is the focus of IPCC Working Group III?

Mitigation of Climate Change

How does the amount of atmospheric CO2 vary across the SSP scenarios?

It increases proportionally from SSP1 to SSP5, with higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere in higher SSP scenarios

How do carbon sinks respond to increased emissions in the various SSP scenarios?

Carbon sinks don't ramp up proportionally to emissions, meaning that they cannot fully mitigate the increased emissions.

What is the purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

To provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future

How many Sustainable Development Goals are there?

17 Goals

How many targets are encompassed within the 17 SDGs?

169 targets

Which SDG focuses on climate action?

SDG 13, with 5 targets to be achieved by 2030

Which SDG is related to health?

SDG 3

Which SDG is associated with clean energy?

SDG 7

Which SDG pertains to cities and communities?

SDG 11

Which SDG is focused on responsible consumption and production?

SDG 12

Which SDG is related to oceans?

SDG 14

In the context of Working Group III, what do the colors blue, red, black, yellow, and green represent in terms of greenhouse gases?

Blue = CO2 from fossil fuels Red = Methane Black = N2O Yellow = CO2 from land-use change Green = Fluorinated gases

What is required to limit global warming to 1.5 - 2 degrees Celsius?

Rapid, immediate lowering of greenhouse gas emissions

What does the color red represent in the context of current greenhouse gas emissions?

What does the color red represent in the context of current greenhouse gas emissions?

What is the main message of the Synthesis Report in the context of climate change?

The extent to which current and future generations will experience a hotter and different world depends on choices now and in the near-term.

How many major extinction events have occurred in Earth's history?

Five major extinction events

What is the argument regarding the 6th mass extinction?

Some scientists believe we are currently undergoing the 6th mass extinction event

When did Phase I of the proposed 6th mass extinction begin, and what was its main characteristic?

around 100,000 years ago, marked by humans dispersing around the world

When did Phase II of the proposed 6th mass extinction begin, and what was its main characteristic?

10,000 years ago, marked by the advent of agriculture

When did Phase III of the proposed 6th mass extinction begin, and what was its main characteristic?

began with the Industrial Revolution

What are the main causes of the ongoing mass extinction event?

Introduction of species, land use change, over-exploitation of species, and pollution

What is the purpose of the Endangered Species Act of 1973?

To protect species identified as endangered or threatened with extinction

Which agencies administer the Endangered Species Act of 1973?

The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service

What was the traditional focus of endangered species conservation efforts?

Large, fuzzy or interesting animals and plants

What is the Rivet Popper Hypothesis by Paul Ehrlich?

A concept suggesting that while the extinction of a single species may not have an immediate significant impact on ecosystem function, redundancy in ecosystems is important for resilience in the face of stresses

How has the focus on endangered species conservation shifted over time?

toward thinking about biodiversity broadly, considering the importance of redundancy and resilience within ecosystems

How does the decline rate of amphibians compare to that of mammals or birds?

Amphibians are declining more rapidly than mammals or birds

In which habitats have amphibians experienced the most significant decline?

Neotropical montane habitats

When was the decline in amphibian populations first observed?

In the 1970s

Why might amphibians be good early indicators of larger environmental problems?

They have porous skin, making them sensitive to changes in their environment

What are some theories for the global decline in amphibians?

Fungi, climate change, habitat loss, and over-exploitation

Where is the diversity of amphibians the highest?

In the tropics

What is a foundation species?

A single species that defines much of the structure of a community by affecting fundamental ecosystem processes

What characteristics set foundation species apart from others?

They are usually at a lower trophic level, often affect key ecosystem processes, and have low redundancy

What is an example of a foundation species in a forest?

A particular tree species, such as the American chestnut or Eastern hemlock

What led to the loss of the American chestnut as a foundation species?

The introduction of a pathogen

What led to the loss of the Eastern hemlock as a foundation species?

The introduction of an insect (hemlock woolly adelgid) and logging

What are the characteristics of Eastern hemlock forests?

Often pure stands, deep shade, acidic soils, slowly decomposing litter, and low transpiration rate (50% lower than other species)

How has the proportion of Eastern hemlock forests changed since the early 1800s?

They have decreased from about 20% to 10% of the forest area due to selective logging and the spread of hemlock woolly adelgid

What is the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid?

Adelges tsugae, an aphid-like insect from Japan that feeds on phloem and injects a toxin with its saliva, causing the tree to die within 4-15 years

What are the signs of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestation?

Egg sacs of the adelgid can be found on dying leaves

In which regions of the United States has the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infested counties?

From the western part of Virginia up to Vermont and down to Tennessee

How might global warming affect the spread of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid?

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid does well in warm climates, so global warming could potentially facilitate its spread northward

What are some management techniques for controlling the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid?

Chemical control (spraying oils to suffocate insects) and pre-emptive logging, though these methods are mostly effective on a small scale