CCA Climate Science & GHG Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the seven greenhouse gases is most commonly referenced when discussing agricultural emissions from livestock?
- Methane (CH4) (Correct answer)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Correct answer: Methane (CH4)
Methane produced by enteric fermentation in livestock (especially cattle) is the primary GHG associated with agricultural animal husbandry.
Question 2: The 'carbon cycle' describes the process by which:
- Carbon moves between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms (Correct answer)
- Companies buy and sell carbon credits in financial markets
- Carbon is extracted from coal and converted to CO2 during combustion
- Carbon auditors cycle through organizations during annual reviews
Correct answer: Carbon moves between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms
The carbon cycle describes the natural movement of carbon through Earth's systems including photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and ocean absorption.
Question 3: What is 'radiative forcing' in climate science?
- The change in energy flux in the atmosphere caused by natural or anthropogenic factors (Correct answer)
- The rate at which solar energy reaches Earth's surface
- The force required to compress carbon for underground storage
- A measure of how much energy is produced by wind turbines
Correct answer: The change in energy flux in the atmosphere caused by natural or anthropogenic factors
Radiative forcing quantifies the change in energy balance in the Earth's atmosphere resulting from factors such as increased GHG concentrations, expressed in watts per square meter (W/m²).
Question 4: Which sector is the largest source of US greenhouse gas emissions according to the EPA?
- Transportation (Correct answer)
- Electricity generation
- Industry
- Agriculture
Correct answer: Transportation
Transportation surpassed electricity generation as the largest source of US GHG emissions, accounting for approximately 28% of total emissions according to recent EPA data.
Question 5: What is the difference between 'mitigation' and 'adaptation' in climate policy?
- Mitigation reduces GHG emissions; adaptation adjusts to climate change impacts (Correct answer)
- Mitigation refers to carbon capture; adaptation refers to emission trading
- Mitigation is voluntary; adaptation is mandated by regulation
- Mitigation applies to corporations; adaptation applies to governments only
Correct answer: Mitigation reduces GHG emissions; adaptation adjusts to climate change impacts
Climate mitigation involves actions that reduce or prevent GHG emissions, while adaptation focuses on adjusting systems and practices to cope with the effects of climate change that are already occurring.
Question 6: What is 'ocean acidification' and how is it related to GHG emissions?
- Oceans absorb CO2, forming carbonic acid and lowering seawater pH (Correct answer)
- Industrial chemicals emitted alongside CO2 fall into oceans as acid rain
- Methane emissions from ocean floors acidify surrounding water
- Ocean warming caused by GHGs accelerates natural acidification cycles
Correct answer: Oceans absorb CO2, forming carbonic acid and lowering seawater pH
When oceans absorb atmospheric CO2, it reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), lowering the ocean's pH in a process called ocean acidification.
CCA Climate Science & GHG Fundamentals 2
Which of the seven greenhouse gases is most commonly referenced when discussing agricultural emissions from livestock?