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Environment Quiz - Climate Change (Questions)

The Earth's climate has changed many times over the course of its history. We've had ice ages and warm periods in the past, but this time it's different. The current rate of global warming is unprecedented - and it's caused by us humans.

It's all down to the greenhouse effect. When we burn fossil fuels they emit carbon dioxide which becomes part of our atmosphere. This traps heat like a blanket, warming the planet. The heat causes more water vapour to enter the air, another greenhouse gas, and the effect escalates.

Usually, nature's carbon cycle would remove the extra carbon dioxide. But we've added so much of the gas to the air that nature can't keep up. However, there are ways we can fight global warming. Have a go at this quiz and see if you know the causes of climate change and the ways we can tackle it.

1. Global warming is real. Since records began in 1880, the average temperature has risen by how many degrees?
[ ] 0.1o Celsius
[ ] 1.1o Celsius
[ ] 2.1o Celsius
[ ] 3.1o Celsius
2. As the planet warms up, we'll see some worrying events. Which of the following will happen?
[ ] The Arctic will lose its ice
[ ] The sea-levels will rise
[ ] There will be more extreme weather
[ ] All of the above
3. Global warming is caused by gasses such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, and methane. What do we call these?
[ ] Garden shed gasses
[ ] General gasses
[ ] Greenhouse gasses
[ ] Ghostly gasses
4. Some scientists (a tiny percentage of them) deny that humans are responsible for climate change. Why?
[ ] Because the world is getting cooler
[ ] Because Earth's climate has changed many times in the past
[ ] Because it's natural processes that are producing carbon dioxide
[ ] Because it's all part of God's plan
5. The “Paris Agreement” is an attempt to force countries to cut their carbon dioxide emissions. Three countries chose not to be included: Syria, Nicaragua and which other?
[ ] Iran
[ ] The United States of America
[ ] Israel
[ ] The United Kingdom
6. Larger countries produce the most CO2, but not necessarily the most per person. How much CO2 does each person in the UK on average emit per year?
[ ] Less than 10 kg
[ ] 10 - 100 kg
[ ] 100 - 1,000 kg
[ ] Over 1,000 kg
7. Industry is often blamed for climate change. Which sector emits the largest proportion of greenhouse gas?
[ ] Energy production
[ ] Food production
[ ] Transport
[ ] Manufacturing
8. Between 1900 and 1990, sea-levels rose by 1.5 mm each year due to global warming. How fast are sea-levels rising now?
[ ] They are not rising anymore
[ ] They are rising by 1 - 2 mm per year
[ ] They are rising by 2 - 3 mm per year
[ ] They are rising by 3 - 4 mm per year
9. Currently, there are 417 ppm (parts per million) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. What is a “safe” amount?
[ ] 650 ppm
[ ] 550 ppm
[ ] 450 ppm
[ ] 350 ppm
10. What can you do to help fight climate change?
[ ] Turn down the temperature on your central heating
[ ] Insulate your home
[ ] Use energy-efficient appliances
[ ] All of the above
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Environment Quiz - Climate Change (Answers)
1. Global warming is real. Since records began in 1880, the average temperature has risen by how many degrees?
[ ] 0.1o Celsius
[x] 1.1o Celsius
[ ] 2.1o Celsius
[ ] 3.1o Celsius
That doesn’t sound like much but if temperatures continue to rise the effects will be disastrous
2. As the planet warms up, we'll see some worrying events. Which of the following will happen?
[ ] The Arctic will lose its ice
[ ] The sea-levels will rise
[ ] There will be more extreme weather
[x] All of the above
And that’s not all - we also expect to see more droughts, famines, and mass movement of people. There might even be wars fought over increasingly scant resources
3. Global warming is caused by gasses such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, and methane. What do we call these?
[ ] Garden shed gasses
[ ] General gasses
[x] Greenhouse gasses
[ ] Ghostly gasses
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by almost 50% since the Industrial Revolution - coincidence? I don't think so!
4. Some scientists (a tiny percentage of them) deny that humans are responsible for climate change. Why?
[ ] Because the world is getting cooler
[x] Because Earth's climate has changed many times in the past
[ ] Because it's natural processes that are producing carbon dioxide
[ ] Because it's all part of God's plan
They are right to say that Earth’s climate has changed before due to greenhouse gasses, usually emitted by volcanoes. The difference this time is the sheer amount of pollutants and the fact that it’s us humans who are producing them
5. The “Paris Agreement” is an attempt to force countries to cut their carbon dioxide emissions. Three countries chose not to be included: Syria, Nicaragua and which other?
[ ] Iran
[x] The United States of America
[ ] Israel
[ ] The United Kingdom
In 2017, then US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the agreement. He is on record for saying that climate change is a "hoax”
6. Larger countries produce the most CO2, but not necessarily the most per person. How much CO2 does each person in the UK on average emit per year?
[ ] Less than 10 kg
[ ] 10 - 100 kg
[ ] 100 - 1,000 kg
[x] Over 1,000 kg
We are by no means the worst offenders - Qatar produces six times as much per person. But before we congratulate ourselves, let's remember that we need to cut all carbon emissions by at least 50% to stop global warming
7. Industry is often blamed for climate change. Which sector emits the largest proportion of greenhouse gas?
[x] Energy production
[ ] Food production
[ ] Transport
[ ] Manufacturing
Most greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity and heat generation. Transport is the second worst offender and with manufacturing and farming sharing third spot.
The answer is not to stop industry - rather, we must find greener ways to warm, feed and transport ourselves
8. Between 1900 and 1990, sea-levels rose by 1.5 mm each year due to global warming. How fast are sea-levels rising now?
[ ] They are not rising anymore
[ ] They are rising by 1 - 2 mm per year
[ ] They are rising by 2 - 3 mm per year
[x] They are rising by 3 - 4 mm per year
Unless things change soon, the sea will have risen by over a metre by the year 2100. That's enough to drown some low-level islands and to alter some coastlines
9. Currently, there are 417 ppm (parts per million) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. What is a “safe” amount?
[ ] 650 ppm
[ ] 550 ppm
[ ] 450 ppm
[x] 350 ppm
Before the Industrial Revolution, there were approximately 278 ppm of carbon dioxide. The burning of fossil fuels is the obvious connection
10. What can you do to help fight climate change?
[ ] Turn down the temperature on your central heating
[ ] Insulate your home
[ ] Use energy-efficient appliances
[x] All of the above
World governments can make the biggest difference, but we can all do our bit to help save the planet
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