Climate Literacy Quiz

What is the greenhouse effect?

• Certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat and warm the Earth

• Life on Earth 'exhales' gas that warms up the atmosphere 

• The tilt of the Earth changes the amount of solar energy the Earth receives

• The Sun is putting out more radiant energy over time

If the greenhouse effect is natural, then why is today's climate change a bad thing?

• A small increase in greenhouse gas concentration can have a large effect of increased warming.

• Humans have altered a natural process and exaggerated changes that might normally occur over millions of years. 

• Once released into the atmosphere, greenhouse gases remain potent for many years, making it difficult to reverse the process.

• Abrupt changes to the climate system may have unintended outcomes that may pose challenges for societies, like more extreme weather, spread of diseases, a decline in marine life, or an alteration of ocean circulation patterns.

Which activities are the largest contributors of greenhouse gases?

• Deforestation

• Electricity generation

• Industry

• Transportation

• Landfills

How much has CO₂ in the atmosphere increased since the Industrial Revolution?
 In the 10,000 years before the Industrial Revolution in 1751, carbon dioxide levels rose less than 1 percent. Since then, they've risen by:

• 11 percent

• 49 percent

• 62 percent

How has the global average temperature changed since the Industrial Revolution?

• Cooler by 0.1 degree C (0.2 degree F)

• The temperature has gone up and down, but remains overall the same

• Warmer by 0.1 degree C (0.2 degree F)

• Warmer by more than 1 degree C (2.1 degrees F)

• Warmer by almost 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F)

How does the rate of today's warming compare to previous episodes of rapid climate change on Earth?

• Today's climate warming is about as fast as the temperature swings that have happened in Earth's past.

• Past changes in the climate have been faster than the changes we're seeing today.

• Today, the Earth's climate is changing much faster than it has changed in the past.

We know that variations in Earth's orbit, solar output, and other factors cause changes in the climate. If we removed the human impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, what might the climate be doing today, on its own?

• Slight warming

• Strong warming

• No change

• Slight cooling

• Strong cooling

When was the last time in Earth's history that CO₂ was as high as it is now?

• This is the highest it's ever been

• CO₂ was at least this high during the warm periods between the ice ages

• CO₂ has not been this high for almost one million years.

• The last time CO₂ was this high was 3 million years ago.

What proportion of climate scientists has concluded that humans are the primary driver of today's climate warming?

• 34%

• 59%

• 76%

• 97% or more

Which country has emitted the most CO₂ over time? In other words, which nation has the most responsibility for the greenhouse gases that are currently residing in the atmosphere?

• China

• USA

• Russia

• European Union

• Saudi Arabia