Question 1

The Environmental Protection Agency was formed in the ______.

Accepted Answer

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed in the 1970s, specifically in 1970, to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection.

Question 2

New Urbanism is a design movement that seeks to ______.

Accepted Answer

New Urbanism aims to create walkable neighborhoods with a diverse range of housing and job types. It encourages community-oriented living and seeks to decrease automobile dependence by promoting alternatives like walking, cycling, and public transportation.

Question 3

One adaptation project underway in the Netherlands involves the construction of ______ that help counter flooding.

Accepted Answer

The Netherlands is pioneering the construction of floating communities as an innovative adaptation to counteract flooding, leveraging their extensive experience with water management.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a green job?

Accepted Answer

Both hybrid car engineering and solar panel installation are considered green jobs because they contribute to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy sources.

Question 5

Which state was the first to impose statewide limits on greenhouse gas emissions?

Accepted Answer

California was the first state to impose statewide limits on greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating its leadership in environmental policy. This was established through the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32), which aimed to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Question 6

In 2007, President Bush signed a law requiring cars to average ______ miles per gallon by 2020.

Accepted Answer

In 2007, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act, which required cars to average 35 miles per gallon by 2020, aiming to improve fuel efficiency and reduce dependency on oil.

Question 7

Which of the following states did NOT sign onto the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative?

Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania has not officially joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) as of the last update. While there have been discussions and intentions expressed by state leadership to join RGGI, formal membership has not been finalized.

Question 8

Many experts agree that governments should focus on ______ to deal with the effects of climate change.

Accepted Answer

Adaptation measures are widely recognized as a crucial approach for governments to address the impacts of climate change, focusing on adjusting policies, systems, and practices to mitigate harm and take advantage of potential benefits.

Question 9

States have the ability to reduce auto dependency by passing ______ laws.

Accepted Answer

Land use laws can influence the development patterns and encourage more compact, mixed-use developments that reduce the need for automobile travel.

Question 10

Those most likely to support climate change mitigation policies are the ______.

Accepted Answer

Democrats are generally more supportive of climate change mitigation policies, reflecting the party's emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of an alternative energy source?

Accepted Answer

Wind energy is an example of an alternative energy source, as it is renewable and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions during operation, unlike traditional fossil fuels.

Question 12

Which of the following has been developed to reduce tailpipe emissions?

Accepted Answer

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce tailpipe emissions by converting harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they leave the vehicle's exhaust system.

Question 13

The rapid growth of a metropolitan area into suburban and exurban communities is called ______.

Accepted Answer

The rapid expansion of a metropolitan area into surrounding suburban and exurban areas, often characterized by low-density, automobile-dependent development, is referred to as "sprawl."

Question 14

The reason that many states and localities have become involved in environmental policy is ______.

Accepted Answer

Many states and localities have stepped in to address environmental issues due to perceived or real inaction at the federal level, taking matters into their own hands to protect their environments.

Question 15

In general, members of the ______ Party are more skeptical of global warming caused by human actions.

Accepted Answer

In general, members of the Republican Party are more skeptical of global warming caused by human actions compared to members of other political parties, such as the Democratic or Green parties, which tend to acknowledge and prioritize addressing climate change.

Question 16

Which of the following is a "green job"?

Accepted Answer

Building wind turbines is considered a green job because it involves creating renewable energy, which has a lower environmental impact compared to traditional energy sources like coal.

Question 17

The 2009 Copenhagen summit was designed to revamp and update the ______ written a dozen years before.

Accepted Answer

The 2009 Copenhagen summit was designed to update the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that sets binding obligations on industrialized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Question 18

Which of the following is an element of New Urbanism?

Accepted Answer

New Urbanism focuses on creating walkable communities with a high density of residential and commercial buildings to foster a sense of community and reduce reliance on vehicles.

Question 19

The eastern seaboard of the U.S. relies on ______ for energy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The eastern seaboard of the U.S. relies...

Question 20

______ limit pollution by allowing companies to purchase carbon offsets.

Accepted Answer

Cap-and-trade systems limit pollution by allowing companies to purchase carbon offsets, which let them emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide, with the total emissions capped at a certain level. Companies can trade these allowances among themselves, incentivizing reductions in emissions.

Quiz 16: Environment and Climate Change: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally