SSM 3301 - Quiz 4: Climate Change

Dr. Seeley mentions that southern Minnesota has received three 1000-year storm events since 2004.

True

Which of the following are ecological consequences of warmer temperatures in Minnesota and the region (check all that apply)

More rapid breakdown of crop residues in fields

Changes in the plant hardiness

One of the reasons to accept that climate change is real, according to Dr. Mark Seeley, is that many of the measured characteristics of climate are changing, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, etc

True

Which of the following changes in climate/weather were highlighted by Dr. Mark Seeley, as effects of climate change

A greater share of precipitation occurring as convective, or violent storms in the U.S. and other regions

Conditions for severe storms migrating northward in the US

Greater frequency of weather extremes

What Dr. Mark Seeley meant by climate change "disparity" is that the climate s changing in different ways and at different rates, in different places around the Earth

True

Dr. Mark Seeley discussed the increasing "tropical-like" dew points (humidity) as one of the changes being observed locally. What are two of the effects of this increased humidity?

Changes in the seasonal behavior of ticks and mosquitos

Increased heat-related health care needs

One of the reasons to accept that climate change is real, according to Dr. Mark Seeley, is that observed and measured physical and biological changes/effects do not fit with measured climate changes

False

Which of the following is true regarding temperature change in Minnesota?

A) The falls have become cooler

B) The greatest warming has occurred as increased high temperatures in the summer

C) Minnesota has not experienced significant temperature shifts

D) The greatest warming has occurred as higher low temperatures in the winter

D (The greatest warming has occurred as higher low temperatures in the winter)

In the video about the Arctic labeled, SO DOES IT ACTUALLY AFFECT US, it is explained ow warming in the Arctic affects us in the northern US. Which explanation from below is correct?

A) Warmer air from SE Asia drifts north, displacing the cold Arctic air south

B) Cold air from Siberia drifts toward us

C) The warmer air in the Arctic drifts to the US making it warmer

D) Cold air displaced from the arctic drifts southward

D (Cold air displaced from the arctic drifts southward)

Which region of the Earth has warmed the most in recent decades?

A) Africa

B) Asia

C) Arctic

D) Arkansas

C (Arctic)

Glaciers play an important role in the water cycle and global warming. Which are true of the following statements? Check all that apply

Glaciers used to cover much of the earth during past Ice Ages

Glaciers are mobile and over time carve out valleys and move earth

What is hidden under Greenland's ice sheet?

A) A layer of blue-green algae

B) Extra-terrestrial villages

C) Very rich, fertile soil

D) Large canyons

D (Large canyons)

What is one of the main human impacts of sea level rise, which could be many meters in upcoming centuries, as described by Bill Nye, "Science Guy"?

A) Loss of coral reefs

B) Greenland becoming ice-free

C) Increased landslides in coastal zone due to flooding

D) Submergence of land supporting 10% of global population

D (Submergence of land supporting 10% of global population)

What was Topher White's novel invention all about?

A) Using old cell phones so that park staff could call illegal loggers and tell them to stop cutting trees in the rainforest

B) Using old cell phones to emit a warning sound to scare off illegal rainforest loggers

C) Providing a way to remotely detect the sound of chainsaws so park staff could locate and intercept illegal rainforest cutting activity

D) Using old cell phones to mimic the animal sounds of the rainforest

C (Providing a way to remotely detect the sound of chainsaws so park staff could locate and intercept illegal rainforest cutting activity)

Data shows that global temperatures are changing by the same about in every season of the year

False

According to the recent UMN-led on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, which are leading world regions for agricultural emissions?

A) Southeast Asia, India, northern Europe and the southern USA

B) Southeast Asia, India, northern Europe and the north centra USA

C) Southeast Asia, Africa, central Europe and the north central USA

D) Western Asia, India, northern Europe and South America

B (Southeast Asia, India, northern Europe and the north centra USA)

Hurricanes are now dropping more rainfall than ever with recent hurricanes setting new records for rainfall such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017 in Houston. What are some of the reasons?

As they move more slowly, more rainfall is deposited on the same area

Warming of the atmosphere allows the air to hold more water

From the article "18 Simple Things You Can Do About Climate Change", what are the top 2 things you might be willing to try (that you are not already doing)

Unplug devices when not in use and opting for slower shipping when buying online

According to the article on "The Inconvenient Truth", most people were unaware that humans wee capable of changing the planet's fate at a scale such a climate change or degrading the ocean's fisheries. The film changed the world's perceptions on climate and human's abilities to impact the world in many ways. Which of the following is not true, according to the article in our readings?

A) Sea Ice on the Arctic Ocean covered 1.70 million square miles in 2015, the fourth-lowest extent on record

B) CO2 levels hit 400 ppm in March 2015, a threshold that was last breached during the Pliocene Epoch 3 million years ago

C) Scientists say the planet is now in the Anthropocene, a new epoch where humans have surpassed nature as the primary shapers of the planet

D) Glaciers at Mount Kilimanjaro and elsewhere have grown with more snowfall.

D (Glaciers at Mount Kilimanjaro and elsewhere have grown with more snowfall.)

According to this week's reading material, what is the global average sea level rise since the year 1880?

A) 8 cm

B) 8 inches

C) 8 mm

D) 8 feet

B (8 inches)

Dr. Mark Seeley stated that it is important to learn about climate change because it is affecting or will likely affect the things we care about, such as (check all that apply):

People (family, friends, etc.)

Our ancestors

Quality and diversity of the environment

Our technology

Recreational opportunities

Animals

Water and food

Ecosystems (lakes, rivers, forests, prairies)

Energy use and supply

People (family, friends, etc.)

Quality and diversity of the environment

Recreational opportunities

Animals

Water and food

Ecosystems (lakes, rivers, forests, prairies)

Energy use and supply

One of the main impacts of climate change for people in Minnesota is greater humidity levels leading to more frequent heat stress.  

True or False

True

According to the article on The Inconvenient Truth, most people were unaware that humans were capable of changing the planet’s fate at a scale such a climate change or degrading the ocean's fisheries. The film changed the world's perceptions on climate and human's abilities to impact the world in many ways. Which of the following is not true, according to the article in our readings? (check one)

Scientists say the planet is now in the Anthropocene, a new epoch where humans have surpassed nature as the primary shapers of the planet.

CO₂ levels hit 400 ppm in March 2015, a threshold that was last breached during the Pliocene Epoch 3 million years ago.

Sea Ice on the Arctic Ocean covered 1.70 million square miles in 2015, the fourth-lowest extent on record.

Glaciers at Mount Kilimanjaro and elsewhere have grown with more snowfall.

Glaciers at Mount Kilimanjaro and elsewhere have grown with more snowfall.

Which of the following gases has contributed more to warming of the globe than any other over the past 250 years, according the Union of Concerned Scientists fact sheet?

CO2

N2O

H20

CH4

CO2

What is a "snow drought" in the context of California's water supply?

when increased overall precipitation coincides with unusually warm winters.

when reduced overall infiltration coincides with unusually warm winters.

when reduced overall precipitation coincides with unusually warm winters.

when reduced overall precipitation coincides with unusually warm summers.

when reduced overall precipitation coincides with unusually warm winters.

How do crops affect climate change in comparison to natural grasslands or vegetation that would have existed prior to be converted to farmland?

They increase release of carbon dioxide, increasing global warming

they increase the organic matter in soil, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions

They release a lot of oxygen contributing to global warming

Crops cool the earth by absorbing sunlight for photosynthesis

They increase release of carbon dioxide, increasing global warming

Describe in one sentence how climate change is more than just an environmental problem? Describe a different impact or consequence of climate change.