1. Essential Principles Challenge
Climate Literacy
Essential Principles Challenge
Climate System
Causes of Change
Effects of Change
10 points
20 points
30 points
40 points
50 points
60 points
70 points
80 points
90 points
100 points

2. The primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system is _____
Climate System 10 points
The primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system is _____
ANSWER

3. Sunlight that reaches Earth may be reflected by
Climate System 20 points
Sunlight that reaches Earth may be reflected by
ANSWER

4. Climate System 30 points ANSWER
When Earth emits the same amount of energy as it absorbs, what happens to Earth’s average temperature?
ANSWER

5. Climate System 40 points
When Earth emits the same amount of energy as it absorbs, Earth’s energy budget is
ANSWER

6. The annual cycle of seasons on Earth is the result of
Climate System 50 points
The annual cycle of seasons on Earth is the result of
ANSWER

7. How much of Earth’s surface is covered by its ocean?
Climate System 60 points
How much of Earth’s surface is covered by its ocean?
ANSWER

8. Climate System 70 points
True or False: The greenhouse effect is an abnormal condition caused by human activity.
ANSWER

9. Climate System 80 points
The minute-by-minute variable condition of the atmosphere on a local scale is called ___
ANSWER

10. Climate System 90 points
What results from interactions that involve the Sun and Earth’s ocean, atmosphere, clouds, ice, land, and life?
ANSWER

11. Climate System 100 points
Earth’s systems are connected, and a change in one system can influence the entire system. What do we call interactions that amplify the effects of change?
ANSWER

12. Causes of Climate Change 10 points
A significant increase or decrease in the Sun’s energy output will cause Earth to warm or cool. What do satellite measurements over the past 30 years show about the Sun’s energy output?
ANSWER

13. Causes of Climate Change 20 points
What determines the amount of solar energy absorbed or radiated by Earth?
ANSWER

14. Causes of Climate Change 30 points
Which of these is NOT a greenhouse gas: Water vapor Carbon dioxide Methane Oxygen
ANSWER

15. Causes of Climate Change 40 points
Do small increases in carbon dioxide concentration in Earth’s atmosphere make much difference to the climate system?
ANSWER

16. Causes of Climate Change 50 points
How do deforestation and burning fossil fuels affect the abundance of carbon in the atmosphere?
ANSWER

17. Causes of Climate Change 60 points
How do airborne particulates (aerosols) affect Earth’s energy balance?
ANSWER

18. Causes of Climate Change 70 points
Over the last one million years, what caused the cycles of ice ages and warmer periods between them?
ANSWER

19. Causes of Climate Change 80 points
What natural processes reduce the amount of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere?
ANSWER

20. Causes of Climate Change 90 points
How can life affect Earth’s climate?
ANSWER

21. Causes of Climate Change 100 points
How long may greenhouse gases remain in Earth’s atmosphere?
ANSWER

22. Effects of Climate Change 10 points
What happens to organisms that are exposed to climate conditions outside their normal range?
ANSWER

23. Effects of Climate Change 20 points
What does evidence from tree rings and scientific observations suggest about Earth’s present average temperature?
ANSWER

24. Effects of Climate Change 30 points
How is increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide affecting Earth’s ocean?
ANSWER

25. Effects of Climate Change 40 points
The overwhelming consensus of scientific studies on climate indicates that most of the observed increase in global average temperatures in the last 30 years is very likely due to ___
ANSWER

26. Effects of Climate Change 50 points
Widespread burning of fossil fuels has increased the concentration of ______ in the atmosphere.
ANSWER

27. Effects of Climate Change 60 points
Do scientists and economists predict that there will be positive changes from global climate change?
ANSWER

28. Effects of Climate Change 70 points
How does global climate change affect fresh water resources?
ANSWER

29. Effects of Climate Change 80 points
What changes in Earth’s ocean may be caused by melting ice sheets and glaciers?
ANSWER

30. Effects of Climate Change 90 points
How is weather predicted to change as a result of global climate change?
ANSWER

31. Effects of Climate Change 100 points
How may climate change affect human communities?
ANSWER

32. Climate System 10 points ANSWER
The Sun

33. Climate System 20 points ANSWER
Earth’s surface, clouds, and ice

34. Climate System 30 points ANSWER
The average temperature remains stable (stays the same)

35. Climate System 40 points ANSWER
In balance

36. Climate System 50 points ANSWER
The tilt of Earth’s axis

37. Climate System 60 points ANSWER
70%

38. Climate System 70 points ANSWER
False
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that keeps Earth’s surface at a temperature that is favorable to living organisms.

39. Climate System 80 points ANSWER
Weather

40. Climate System 90 points ANSWER
Earth’s climate

41. Climate System 100 points ANSWER
Positive feedback loops

42. Causes of Climate Change 10 points ANSWER
Changes in the Sun’s energy output are too small to be the cause of recent warming on Earth

43. Causes of Climate Change 20 points ANSWER
The composition of Earth’s atmosphere

44. Causes of Climate Change 30 points ANSWER
Oxygen

45. Causes of Climate Change 40 points ANSWER
Yes; small increases in carbon dioxide concentration have a large effect on the climate system
education.usgs.gov/lessons/gases.pdf

46. Causes of Climate Change 50 points ANSWER
Deforestation and burning fossil fuels increase the abundance of carbon in the atmosphere

47. Causes of Climate Change 60 points ANSWER
Airborne particulates cause cooling by reflecting incoming sunlight, and also cause warming by absorbing and releasing heat energy in the atmosphere

48. Causes of Climate Change 70 points ANSWER
Gradual changes in Earth’s rotation and orbit around the Sun

49. Causes of Climate Change 80 points ANSWER
Accumulation of marine sediments and accumulation of plant biomass

50. Causes of Climate Change 90 points ANSWER
By changing the chemical makeup of the atmosphere

51. Causes of Climate Change 100 points ANSWER
Greenhouse gases may remain in Earth’s atmosphere for hundreds of years.

52. Effects of Climate Change 10 points ANSWER
The organisms will adapt, migrate, or die

53. Effects of Climate Change 20 points ANSWER
Earth’s average temperature is warmer than it has been for at least the past 1,300 years

54. Effects of Climate Change 30 points ANSWER
Increased dissolved carbon dioxide is causing the ocean to become more acidic.

55. Effects of Climate Change 40 points ANSWER
Human activities, primarily burning fossil fuels

56. Effects of Climate Change 50 points ANSWER
Greenhouse gases

57. Effects of Climate Change 60 points ANSWER
Both positive and negative changes are predicted, but the consequences of negative impacts are likely to be much greater than the consequences of positive impacts.

58. Effects of Climate Change 70 points ANSWER
Changing precipitation patterns and temperatures will reduce reliable access to fresh water for many people. Winter snowpack and mountain glaciers that provide water for human use are declining as a result of global warming.

59. Effects of Climate Change 80 points ANSWER
Sea level will rise, and changing temperatures may affect large current systems in Earth’s ocean

60. Effects of Climate Change 90 points ANSWER
Strong storms, heat waves, and changes in precipitation patterns are predicted to increase in many locations

61. Effects of Climate Change 100 points ANSWER
Human communities may face increased risks from violent weather events, changes in food and water supplies, and infectious diseases