CAP Climate Science & Atmospheric Systems 5

Question 1

In the context of the global carbon cycle, 'net land use change emissions' primarily refer to CO₂ released from:

Accepted Answer

Deforestation, peatland drainage, and conversion of natural ecosystems

Answer

Net land use change emissions account for carbon lost when forests, peatlands, and other natural ecosystems are converted to agricultural or urban land, typically releasing stored organic carbon.

Question 2

What does a positive Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity (ECS) value of 3°C mean in practice?

Accepted Answer

A doubling of atmospheric CO₂ from pre-industrial levels would ultimately result in ~3°C of equilibrium warming

Answer

ECS represents the long-run global mean temperature change that would result from a sustained doubling of CO₂ concentration after the climate system fully equilibrates.

Question 3

Which phenomenon causes the tropics to expand poleward as a documented consequence of climate change?

Accepted Answer

Hadley cell expansion shifting subtropical dry belts poleward

Answer

Observations show Hadley cells are expanding poleward, shifting subtropical dry zones (and associated drought risk) toward higher latitudes in both hemispheres.

Question 4

What is 'ocean acidification' and its direct cause?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in ocean pH as absorbed CO₂ forms carbonic acid, reducing carbonate ion availability

Answer

When the ocean absorbs CO₂, it reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, lowering pH and reducing carbonate ions that marine organisms need to build shells and skeletons.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a 'negative emission technology' (NET) relevant to climate mitigation?

Accepted Answer

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)

Answer

BECCS is a negative emission technology because it combines bioenergy generation (where plants absorb CO₂) with geological carbon storage, resulting in net removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere.

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

CAP Climate Science & Atmospheric Systems 5