Chapter 8: Climate Change, Energy Crisis, & Renewable Energy Resources

Question 1

It is a change which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparative time periods.

Answer 1

Climate change.

Question 2

Four (4) natural causes of climate change.

Answer 2

1. Volcanic eruptions
2. Ocean currents
3. Earth’s orbital changes
4. Solar variation

Question 3

Six (6) human causes of climate change.

Answer 3

1. Greenhouse gases
2. Deforestation
3. Coal mining
4. Burning of fossil fuels
5. Industrial processes
6. Agriculture

Question 4

Distribution of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Answer 4

1. Carbon dioxide (64%)
2. Methane (19%)
3. Chlorofluorocarbons (11%)
4. Nitrous oxide (6%)

Question 5

Distribution of global warming and humans.

Answer 5

1. Burning fossil fuels (49%)
2. Industrial processes (24%)
3. Deforestation (14%)
4. Agriculture (13%)

Question 6

Seven (7) effects of climate change.

Answer 6

1. Melting ice sheets (sea level rise)
2. Heavy rainfall across the globe
3. Extreme drought
4. Decline in crop productivity
5. Changing ecosystems
6. Hurricanes
7. Rise in temperature

Question 7

The capacity of a physical system to perform work.

Exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical, light, potential, electrical, or other forms.

Answer 7

Energy.

Question 8

The law that states that the total energy of a system remains constant, though energy may transform into another form.

Answer 8

The law of conservation of energy.

Question 9

Refers to any great bottleneck (or price rise) in the supply of energy resources to an economy.

Answer 9

Energy crisis.

Question 10

Eleven (11) causes of energy crisis.

Answer 10

1. Overpopulation
2. Poor infrastructure
3. Energy waste
4. Power plant commissioning delays
5. Unused renewable options
6. Poor distribution
7. Major accidents / natural calamities
8. Wars and attacks
9. Politics / border obstructions
10. Lack of storage
11. Overconsumption

Question 11

Five (5) types of renewable energy resources.

Answer 11

1. Wind
2. Solar
3. Hydroelectric
4. Geothermal
5. Biofuels

Question 12

The sea level rises at a rate of?

Answer 12

3.2mm per year.

Question 13

Carbon dioxide levels are at what value, as measured last October 2018?

Answer 13

407 parts per million (407ppm).

Question 14

Carbon dioxide levels increased by how much in the past 70 years?

Answer 14

90 parts per million (90ppm).

Question 15

Used to generate heat energy.

Answer 15

Thermal solar panels.

Question 16

Made from silicon; turns sunlight directly into electricity.

Answer 16

Photovoltaic (PV) cells.

Question 17

Two (2) rare metals required for solar panels.

Answer 17

1. Cadmium
2. Indium

Question 18

Heat energy from the Earth.

Answer 18

Geothermal energy.

Question 19

Harnesses the kinetic energy of running water.

More reliable than solar and wind power.

Answer 19

Hydroelectric power.

Question 20

Energy either directly from plants or from waste.

Answer 20

Biofuels.

Question 21

Used as fuel and as a petroladditiveto increase octane and lower carbon emissions.

Answer 21

Bioethanol.

Question 22

Used as fuel and used to reduce levels of particulates and carbon monoxide in diesel powered vehicles.

Answer 22

Biodiesel.