midterm 1 Flashcards
1
Q
- While fires set by ranchers have been the most notorious source of fires in the Amazon over the last decade, what other climate-related problem is driving the current wave of fire outbreaks throughout the region?
A
Droughts, massive decrease in rainfall
2
Q
- Provide two motivations for Australia to agree to the Singapore solar project?
A
- creates more jobs, economic growth
- green energy, reduce the use of coal
3
Q
- T/F. China is the second largest builder of coal-fired power stations in the world, behind India.
A
F
4
Q
- In a favored phrasing, the IPCC report states that since the last report in 2014 heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and other extreme events have all increased in intensity and frequency “f____ b_______ n________ v_________.”
A
far beyond natural variability
5
Q
- The stated aim of the Paris Agreement is to keep global temperature rise “well below” ___ degrees Celsius and to “pursue efforts” to limit it to ____ degrees Celsius.
1 … 2
1.5 … 2
1.5 … 2.5
2 … 2.5
A
1.5 … 2
6
Q
- What type of country is considered the ‘canary in the climate coal mine’?
A
small island countries
7
Q
- Briefly, define ‘net-zero’.
A
emission = capture
the balance between carbon emission and carbon taken out
8
Q
- S__________________ A____________ refers to unburned or unused fossil fuel resources, whose value (if 2 degree C is the limit) would reach trillions of dollars.
A
stranded assets
9
Q
- Contributing to their lacking of funding for spending on climate projects, many poor developing countries have what other significant international payments they must make, which reduces their spending power?
A
many countries have international debt payment
10
Q
- According to the IPCC, what sector is the most important to decarbonize as fast as possible?
A
power sector
11
Q
- T/F. One of the key advantages of renewable energy systems in the US is that while new infrastructures will have to be built for them, those infrastructures can be much smaller than traditional energy infrastructures.
A
F
12
Q
- T/F. According to the IPCC, the limiting of temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C will be impossible without some form of carbon removal.
A
T
13
Q
- The targeting of lifestyle and behavior changes is an aspect of D_______-S____ mitigation options and will require transformation in the C_________ A_____________ of our consumption patterns.
A
demand-side, choice architecture
14
Q
- In order to cut down on methane in the atmosphere, the IPCC suggests targeting “F______________ emissions”, the methane that escapes during extraction and transportation of natural gas or from abandoned oil wells.
A
Fugitive
15
Q
- In terms of the IPCC’s goals for green buildings, while there have been an increasing number of zero-carbon buildings constructed around the world, what are the two primary goals that still need considerable focus and investment?
A
- green standard for all new buildings
- retrofit old buildings
16
Q
- What are the three key policies for cities to pursue reductions in their transport sector emissions levels?
A
- high population density
- non-car travel
- electrify transportations
17
Q
- List two of the reasons discussed in lecture for why it is a problem that much of the potential for carbon emission reductions from environmental protection, restoration, and sustainable management exists in developing countries.
A
- not enough funding for these types of projects
- lack of expertise to manage
18
Q
- The IPCC’s fourth scenario, in which global temperature rises to 3.6 degrees C by 2100, is defined by the collapse of what?
A
collapse of international cooperation
19
Q
- T/F. While not the current largest emitter, the US has historically emitted more carbon dioxide than any other country.
A
T
20
Q
- If the US wants to “D___________”, it must stop getting its electricity from fossil fuel sources and shift to renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal.
A
decarbonize
