We have known that the environment is in trouble for a long time. But what action have governments around the world taken to tackle it? In this quiz we look at some of the environmental treaties, agreements and laws brought in to protect our planet.
There are laws in place to protect specific species, limit greenhouse gas emissions, control harmful chemicals and much more besides. Unfortunately, some countries are not signed-up to all of them, and others are non-binding. If we seriously want to save the planet, it will take cooperation between every nation on Earth.
The United Nations is certainly taking the issue seriously. As the threat to the environment has become more and more noticeable, the number of treaties aimed at protecting it have increased. But not all countries are as enthusiastic about making the necessary sacrifices. In fact, some leaders have even denied that humans are causing climate change at all!
1.
|
Environmental laws have been around for a long time. In 1272 the burning of coal was banned in London by which monarch? |
|
[ ] |
Edward I |
[ ] |
Victoria |
[ ] |
Charles I |
[ ] |
Stephen |
|
|
2.
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Whales were first protected when the International Agreement for the Regulation of Whaling was signed in which year? |
|
[ ] |
1887 |
[ ] |
1937 |
[ ] |
1967 |
[ ] |
2007 |
|
|
3.
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The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959. What does the treaty forbid on the continent? |
|
[ ] |
Hunting |
[ ] |
Mining |
[ ] |
Farming |
[ ] |
Military activity |
|
|
4.
|
In 1963, the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty forbade testing nuclear weapons in which of the following places? |
|
[ ] |
Space |
[ ] |
Under the sea |
[ ] |
In the atmosphere |
[ ] |
All of the above |
|
|
5.
|
In 1979, a treaty to protect migratory species was signed in which former German capital? |
|
[ ] |
Berlin |
[ ] |
Hamburg |
[ ] |
Munich |
[ ] |
Bonn |
|
|
6.
|
Adopted in 1985, the Vienna Convention is aimed at protecting which part of our atmosphere? |
|
[ ] |
The troposphere (the part we live in) |
[ ] |
The ionosphere (where auroras happen) |
[ ] |
The ozone layer (protects us from UV radiation) |
[ ] |
The exosphere (the highest level) |
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|
7.
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The UNFCCC came to be in 1992, with the aim of tackling greenhouse gasses. What does UNFCCC stand for? |
|
[ ] |
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |
[ ] |
The United Nations Focus Comittee on Climate Change |
[ ] |
The United Nations First Call on Climate Change |
[ ] |
The United Nations Fundamental Crisis of Climate Change |
|
|
8.
|
Until it was banned in 1994, fourteen countries (including the UK) used to dump what in the ocean? |
|
[ ] |
Plastic waste |
[ ] |
Radioactive waste |
[ ] |
Human waste (sewage) |
[ ] |
Chemical waste |
|
|
9.
|
The Rotterdam Convention was signed by 72 nations in 1998. It controls trade in what? |
|
[ ] |
Elephant ivory |
[ ] |
Hazardous chemicals |
[ ] |
Endangered species |
[ ] |
Oil |
|
|
10.
|
The Kyoto Protocol came into force in 2005 as a way to combat greenhouse gasses. It was signed by all but 4 UN members. Which country withdrew its support in 2012? |
|
[ ] |
Australia |
[ ] |
The UK |
[ ] |
Canada |
[ ] |
The USA |
|
|
1.
|
Environmental laws have been around for a long time. In 1272 the burning of coal was banned in London by which monarch? |
|
[x] |
Edward I |
[ ] |
Victoria |
[ ] |
Charles I |
[ ] |
Stephen |
|
|
2.
|
Whales were first protected when the International Agreement for the Regulation of Whaling was signed in which year? |
|
[ ] |
1887 |
[x] |
1937 |
[ ] |
1967 |
[ ] |
2007 |
|
|
3.
|
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959. What does the treaty forbid on the continent? |
|
[ ] |
Hunting |
[ ] |
Mining |
[ ] |
Farming |
[x] |
Military activity |
|
|
4.
|
In 1963, the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty forbade testing nuclear weapons in which of the following places? |
|
[ ] |
Space |
[ ] |
Under the sea |
[ ] |
In the atmosphere |
[x] |
All of the above |
|
|
5.
|
In 1979, a treaty to protect migratory species was signed in which former German capital? |
|
[ ] |
Berlin |
[ ] |
Hamburg |
[ ] |
Munich |
[x] |
Bonn |
|
|
6.
|
Adopted in 1985, the Vienna Convention is aimed at protecting which part of our atmosphere? |
|
[ ] |
The troposphere (the part we live in) |
[ ] |
The ionosphere (where auroras happen) |
[x] |
The ozone layer (protects us from UV radiation) |
[ ] |
The exosphere (the highest level) |
|
|
7.
|
The UNFCCC came to be in 1992, with the aim of tackling greenhouse gasses. What does UNFCCC stand for? |
|
[x] |
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |
[ ] |
The United Nations Focus Comittee on Climate Change |
[ ] |
The United Nations First Call on Climate Change |
[ ] |
The United Nations Fundamental Crisis of Climate Change |
|
|
8.
|
Until it was banned in 1994, fourteen countries (including the UK) used to dump what in the ocean? |
|
[ ] |
Plastic waste |
[x] |
Radioactive waste |
[ ] |
Human waste (sewage) |
[ ] |
Chemical waste |
|
|
9.
|
The Rotterdam Convention was signed by 72 nations in 1998. It controls trade in what? |
|
[ ] |
Elephant ivory |
[x] |
Hazardous chemicals |
[ ] |
Endangered species |
[ ] |
Oil |
|
|
10.
|
The Kyoto Protocol came into force in 2005 as a way to combat greenhouse gasses. It was signed by all but 4 UN members. Which country withdrew its support in 2012? |
|
[ ] |
Australia |
[ ] |
The UK |
[x] |
Canada |
[ ] |
The USA |
|
|