Environmental Science Climate Change and Atmosphere 2

Question 1

Ocean acidification is caused primarily by oceans absorbing excess:

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Absorbed CO₂ reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, lowering ocean pH and threatening shell-forming organisms.

Question 2

Which phenomenon involves unusual warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, disrupting global weather patterns?

Accepted Answer

El Niño

Answer

El Niño is a periodic warming of Pacific surface waters that shifts rainfall patterns and can cause droughts and floods globally.

Question 3

What is a carbon sink?

Accepted Answer

A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs more carbon than it releases

Answer

Carbon sinks like forests and oceans absorb net CO₂ from the atmosphere, helping regulate atmospheric carbon levels.

Question 4

Which sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Transportation

Answer

Transportation overtook electricity as the largest U.S. GHG source, accounting for about 28% of total emissions.

Question 5

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) primarily does which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Assesses and synthesizes climate science for policymakers

Answer

The IPCC reviews and synthesizes published climate science to provide authoritative assessment reports for policymakers.

Environmental Science Practice Test