AMS Climate Science and Climatology 3

Question 1

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations have surpassed approximately what level in recent years (mid-2020s)?

Accepted Answer

420 ppm

Answer

315 ppm

Answer

360 ppm

Answer

480 ppm

Question 2

Which climate feedback amplifies warming by reducing the extent of highly reflective surfaces at high latitudes?

Accepted Answer

Ice-albedo feedback

Answer

Water vapor feedback

Answer

Planck (blackbody) feedback

Answer

Lapse rate feedback

Question 3

The Planck feedback in the climate system is classified as:

Accepted Answer

A fundamental negative feedback that stabilizes climate

Answer

A strong positive feedback that accelerates warming

Answer

A neutral feedback with no net effect on temperature

Answer

A seasonal feedback that only operates in winter months

Question 4

Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity (ECS) is defined as the equilibrium global mean surface temperature change resulting from:

Accepted Answer

A doubling of atmospheric CO2 concentration

Answer

A 1°C increase in global mean temperature

Answer

A 1 W/m² increase in radiative forcing

Answer

A 10% increase in solar irradiance

Question 5

The current rise in global mean sea level is primarily attributed to:

Accepted Answer

Thermal expansion of seawater and mass loss from glaciers and ice sheets

Answer

Redistribution of ocean water by changing circulation patterns

Answer

Increased river runoff from heavier precipitation

Answer

Tectonic subsidence of ocean floors

Question 6

IPCC Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) are used in climate projections to represent:

Accepted Answer

Different assumptions about future greenhouse gas emissions and societal development trajectories

Answer

Alternative global temperature targets set by international agreements

Answer

Projections of sea level rise under different ocean warming scenarios

Answer

Varied assumptions about aerosol concentrations in future climate models

Question 7

The 'hockey stick' reconstruction of Northern Hemisphere temperatures, first published by Mann et al. (1999), is significant because it illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Relatively stable medieval temperatures followed by rapid warming in the 20th century unlike anything in the past millennium

Answer

A sudden collapse of temperatures at the start of the industrial revolution

Answer

An abrupt cooling event linked to the Little Ice Age that ended in the 13th century

Answer

Cyclical warm and cold periods of equal magnitude throughout the past 2,000 years