Earth The Operator's Manual

If all the gasoline in the world suddenly disappeared, what country says they alone could keep their cars running?

• Saudi Arabia

• United States

• Russia

• Brazil

Answer explanation

Brazil, since nearly all cars sold in the nation are "flex" vehicles that can run on ethanol (in Brazil, made from sugar cane) or gasoline.

Which American City is the #1 municipal purchaser of renewable energy?

• Portland

• San Francisco

• Houston

• New York

Answer explanation

Houston. The policy was established under Bill White, the previous Mayor, and is being continued by Annise Parker, the current Mayor. As of early 2011, Houston obtains 33% of its energy from wind, and is targeting 50%.

Which nation produces the largest amount of nuclear power?

• France

• United States

• Germany

• Japan

Answer explanation

The United States. Although France generates more than 75% of its electricity from nuclear and the USA only 20%, the United States leads in the total amount of power.

In 2009, which country invested the most in renewable energy?

• China

• United States

• Japan

• Australia

Answer explanation

China, according to a report on G20 investments from the Pew Foundation

By the end of the 21st century, some projections show Earth's atmosphere may have as much as 1,000 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide (CO2) if we don't transition to a low-carbon economy. When in Earth's history was CO2 last this high?

• 3,000 Years Ago

• 30,000 Years Ago

• 3 million Years Ago

• 30 Million Years ago

Answer explanation

30 million years ago: today's use of fossil fuels has the power to transform the planet in ways never seen in human history.

 

Earth's population in 2010 was nearly 7 billion. How many people had cell phones according to the video?

• 1 billion

• 2 billion

• 3 billion

• 4 billion

Answer explanation

4 billion

Earth's population was nearly 7 billion in 2010. Of those how many didn't have electricity?

• 50 million

• 1 billion

• 1.5 billion

• 2.5 billion

Answer explanation

According to the InterAcademy Council's study, LIGHTING THE WAY, some 1.5 billion are "off the grid."

 

Which of the following cannot be turned into biofuels?

• Sugar cane

• Corn

• switchgrass

• All of the choices

• None of the choices

Answer explanation

Sorry, trick question: the answer is none of these. All can be used for biofuels (although corn is several times less efficient than sugar cane, and more research is needed to make the use of wood, straw and switchgrass economical.)

Which sector in the U.S. is the largest user of energy?

• Transportation

• Agriculture

• The Military

• Manufacturing

Answer explanation

The Military. The U.S. government is the single largest user of energy in the U.S., and the military is the largest user within government.

Which combination correctly lists the energy sources from lowest to highest in terms of their potential to produce renewable energy?

• Waves and tides, geothermal, biomass, wind, Sun

• Biomass, wind, geothermal, Sun, waves and tides

• Waves and tides, wind, geothermal, Sun, biomass

• Geothermal, waves and tides, biomass, wind, Sun

Answer explanation

geothermal (lowest), waves and tides, biomass, wind, Sun (highest)