UNIT TWO: Iclicker questions Flashcards
We are currently on track for an average temperature increase of
_____ by 2100
2.2-3.5 degrees celsius
What encourages doomism?
Fueled by fatalism and defeatism
What happens once emissions reach net zero?
Temperatures will soon stop increasing and start slowly decreasing
What occurs with each increment of warming?
Human mortality and species extinction rates will increase
If every individual just did their part to change their consumption and transportation behaviors we could reduce the majority of greenhouse gas emissions
False, 75% of climate change cannot be tackled with individual action
What describes “discourse”?
Language that influences certain perspectives, the terms of discussion surrounding a certain issue, reflects different perceptions and understandings
What happens when people don’t talk about climate change even though they are concerned?
- It undermines constructive action
- Results in people assuming that others don’t care
What defines “false balance”
- Giving the same attention to two sides of a position
- Giving opinions as much attention as science
- Misleading the public about the state of the science
What does COP stand for?
Conference of the parties
The International Monetary Fund estimates that global governments pay what amount in fossil fuel subsidies?
13 million a minute
Examples of countries that are the highest cumulative emitters?
United States, China, European Union
How have vested interest shaped climate change discourse?
By suppressing information, spreading doubt about the science, and spreading messages of denial
Four main discourses of climate delay:
- Redirect responsibility
- Push non-transformative solutions
- Emphasize the downsides
- Surrender
What does the great acceleration refer too?
An increase in population, production, energy, resource use, and greenhouse gas emissions
What is the difference between annual
national emissions and national per capita emissions?
Annual emissions are the total for a country, while per capita divides by population
While the Global South has contributed the most to climate change, the Global North is
the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
False, the global north has contributed the most to climate change, while the global South remains the most vulnerable
What increases and decreases climate vulnerability?
a. higher exposure and higher sensitivity increases climate vulnerability
b. higher adaptive capacity decreases climate vulnerability
What does the Paris Agreement use to set national emissions reduction targets?
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Kaya identity
Emissions=
Population size x
Affluence (GDP per capita) x
Energy intensity (energy use per unit GDP) x
Carbon intensity (GHG emissions per unit of energy)
Why is the impact of population
on climate change considered controversial?
While population does impact environmental degradation, it is not the key driving factor
How do individual and system-level
changes support each other?
System changes enable sustainable choices, while individual actions drive policy shifts
The shift to digital consumption has eliminated the need for physical resources and significantly
reduced overall energy use.
False
What historical period significantly
accelerated global consumption?
The great acceleration
What criticism has been expressed
regarding the sole use of GDP as a metric of progress?
GDP doesn’t consider human well-being, environmental degradation or emissions, and economic inequality
Critical aspects of globalization
Cultural diffusion, international trade
Why do cities with service-based
economies have lower emissions compared to industrial cities?
They have less energy-intensive industries
How does increased meat and dairy
consumption lead to higher emissions?
Increased deforestation for grazing land and feed crops
Examples of political barriers to climate change?
Regulatory capture, Lobbying, campaign donations, proposing
ineffective solutions
Have environmental issues always been divisive amongst partisan lines?
No, started to become more polarized during the 1990s
Four primary views regarding nature:
- Cassandra: giving warnings about harm or doom
- Survivalists: biophysical limits,
must use resources sustainably - Promethean: faith in technological solutions to problems
- Cornucopian: there are no limits, resources are abundant
Why are ideologies hard to change?
Desire for safety and security, desire for social connection and unity, desire for certainty and known outcomes
Carbon markets have been shown to reduce emissions when:
The price is set high enough
Problems associated with carbon offsets:
Additionality, permanence, social harm
Which do studies show is most effective to cut GHG emissions?
Carbon taxes
Canada’s carbon tax is used for a rebate payment that:
Is distributed quarterly to all citizens
What are the main ideas of Stratospheric aerosol injection?
- Considered relatively cheap, doesn’t address ocean acidification, mimics the effects of a volcanic eruption, could make the skies whiter
Serious risks associated with geoengineering include
Termination shock, possible drought and famine, and depleted ozone layer
The moral hazard argument refers to:
- The risk that SRM might reduce action on decarbonization
- The risk that SRM might be used to continue the use of fossil fuels
How could solar engineering be effective?
it could help address the symptoms of climate change, it could buy us time to reduce emissions
What caused the massive drought, famine, and humanitarian crisis
in the 1980s in northern Africa?
Pollution increased in the US and EU increasing aerosols
Which fossil fuel makes the most carbon emissions per unit produced?
Coal
What are concerns regarding building of new dams for hydropower?
Displacement, indigenous land rights, habitat loss
Is nuclear considered a renewable energy?
No, because uranium needed for the energy process must be mined
How is hydrogen gas produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen?
Electrolysis
What does the Jevons paradox suggest about
the impact of energy efficiency improvements?
Improved efficiency can lead to increased energy consumption
Why do fossil fuels maintain an
economic advantage over renewables?
Fossil fuels have established infrastructure and economies of scale
What is carbon lock-in?
Reliance on fossil fuels due to existing infrastructure & institutions
Example of an implicit fossil fuel subsidy?
Healthcare costs from pollution-related illnesses
What does the political economy of fossil fuels suggest about their continued dominance?
Political and economic forces, rather than natural
advantages, sustain fossil fuel dominance
How do fossil fuel companies maintain favorable policies?
Through political funding, lobbying, securing subsidies, & misinformation campaigns
Why do some local communities resist the siting of renewable infrastructure?
They lack input in decision-making and feel local land rights are ignored
