Question 1

Climate is a short-term phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

Climate refers to long-term patterns and averages of weather conditions in a particular region, typically over a period of several decades or more. Therefore, it is not a short-term phenomenon.

Question 2

With the exception of the recent past, historically, the effects of human-induced factors
 on climate have been limited mainly to local or regional geographic region.

Accepted Answer

Historically, the effects of human-induced factors on climate were limited mainly to local or regional geographic regions, and it is only in recent times that anthropogenic activities have had a global impact on climate change.

Question 3

As evidence of cyclical climate changes, one can refer to a cooling period, historically
 known as 'The Little Ice Age' that occurred between 1550 and 1850.

Accepted Answer

The Little Ice Age is a well-known historical event that is considered evidence of cyclical climate changes. It was a cooling period that lasted from 1550 to 1850, during which temperatures were significantly lower than in the preceding centuries. The causes of the Little Ice Age are not fully understood, but it is generally believed to have been influenced by factors such as solar radiation, volcanic activity, and changes in ocean currents.

Question 4

GHGs are composed of carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4),
 Nitric Oxide (N2O), Oxygen (O2), and a class of synthetic compounds known as
 chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Accepted Answer

Oxygen (O2) is not considered a greenhouse gas because it does not absorb and emit infrared radiation, which is a key characteristic of greenhouse gases.

Question 5

Ice records of atmospheric CO2 concentration show that the pre-Industrial Revolution
 level of CO2 concentration was relatively stable going back to 10,000 years at about 280
 ppm.

Accepted Answer

Ice records of atmospheric CO2 concentration do show that the pre-Industrial Revolution level of CO2 concentration was relatively stable going back to 10,000 years at about 280 ppm.

Question 6

The IPCC estimates with 68% probability that the cause for global warming is the
 emission of heat trapping GHGs arising primarily from human activities.

Accepted Answer

The IPCC states with over 95% confidence that more than half of the observed increase in global average surface temperature since the mid-20th century is likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.

Question 7

Climate models have been found to reproduce only the general features of the
 global-scale annual mean surface temperature increases, but not the temperature
 coolings.

Accepted Answer

Climate models have been able to reproduce both the warming and cooling patterns observed in historical temperature records, including those caused by volcanic eruptions, aerosols, and other factors, not just the general features of global-scale annual mean surface temperature increases.

Question 8

One can apply a standard cost-benefit analysis to climate change.

Accepted Answer

Climate change can be analyzed using a standard cost-benefit analysis, where the potential costs and benefits of actions related to climate change are evaluated and compared. This can help decision-makers make informed choices about policies and actions related to addressing climate change.

Question 9

A special feature of the externalities associated with climate change is that they are global
 rather than localized in scope.

Accepted Answer

Climate change externalities, such as greenhouse gas emissions, affect the entire planet and are not limited to a particular region or country.

Question 10

The GHG damage cost function, which represents the relationship between expected
 future warming and projected future damages to the economy, is discontinuous and
 therefore exhibits a climate tipping point.

Accepted Answer

The statement describes the discontinuous and non-linear relationship between future warming and economic damages, which is indicative of a climate tipping point.

Question 11

The DICE model does not incorporate neoclassical economics growth theory because the
 theory does not apply to climate change.

Accepted Answer

The DICE model (Dynamic Integrated model of Climate and the Economy) incorporates neoclassical economic growth theory as a core part of its framework to assess the interplay between economic growth and climate change impacts.

Question 12

The 2016 DICE model estimates a loss of 2.1 percent in global GDP with a 3^oC warming by 2100.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately reflects the findings of the 2016 DICE model.

Question 13

The stated goal of the Paris Climate Agreement, a temperature target of 2^oC or less, will result in abatement costs that will be greater than the damage cost at the margin.

Accepted Answer

According to the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, abatement costs that result from achieving a temperature target of 2°C or less will be much lower than the damage costs that would result from unmitigated climate change. Therefore, the statement is false.

Question 14

It is unfortunate that market-based climate policy instruments, such as emission
 trading to limit GHG emissions, were never part of the Kyoto Protocol.

Accepted Answer

The Kyoto Protocol actually included market-based mechanisms, such as emissions trading, as part of its approach to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 15

Signatories to the Paris climate agreement are asked to make self-determined
 emissions pledges.

Accepted Answer

The Paris climate agreement asks signatories to make self-determined emissions pledges.

Question 16

Which country signed the Kyoto Protocol, but did not ratify this agreement?

Accepted Answer

The United States signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998, but never ratified the agreement. Despite participating in negotiations and signing the protocol, the US Senate refused to ratify the treaty due to concerns about its potential impact on the American economy.

Question 17

What percentage of tropospheric air is composed of carbon dioxide?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide makes up less than 1% of the tropospheric air. The majority of tropospheric air is made up of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%).

Question 18

Which of the following constitutes a positive feedback loop for global warming?

Accepted Answer

Option A is a positive feedback loop for global warming because as the Earth warms, more water vapor accumulates in the atmosphere, which leads to even more warming. This results in a self-reinforcing process that amplifies the initial warming trend. Option B and C are not accurate descriptions of how greenhouse gases interact with solar radiation and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Option D is incorrect because only option A constitutes a positive feedback loop for global warming.

Question 19

Which argument has been used by developing countries to limit their greenhouse gas emissions?

Accepted Answer

Developing countries often argue that limiting their greenhouse gas emissions could also limit their economic growth, as those emissions are often seen as a byproduct of industrialization and development. They may argue that developed countries had the opportunity to grow their economies without restrictions on emissions and that developing countries should have similar opportunities.

Question 20

What is the main purpose of the Kyoto Protocol?

Accepted Answer

The main purpose of the Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted in 1997, was to stabilize greenhouse gas buildup in the atmosphere by setting targets for industrialized countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. It was the first international agreement to set legally binding targets for emissions reductions.

Quiz 9: The Economics of Climate Change

Climate is a short-term phenomenon.

With the exception of the recent past, historically, the effects of human-induced factors on climate have been limited mainly to local or regional geographic region.

As evidence of cyclical climate changes, one can refer to a cooling period, historically known as 'The Little Ice Age' that occurred between 1550 and 1850.

GHGs are composed of carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), Nitric Oxide (N2O), Oxygen (O2), and a class of synthetic compounds known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Ice records of atmospheric CO2 concentration show that the pre-Industrial Revolution level of CO2 concentration was relatively stable going back to 10,000 years at about 280 ppm.

The IPCC estimates with 68% probability that the cause for global warming is the emission of heat trapping GHGs arising primarily from human activities.

Climate models have been found to reproduce only the general features of the global-scale annual mean surface temperature increases, but not the temperature coolings.

One can apply a standard cost-benefit analysis to climate change.

A special feature of the externalities associated with climate change is that they are global rather than localized in scope.

The GHG damage cost function, which represents the relationship between expected future warming and projected future damages to the economy, is discontinuous and therefore exhibits a climate tipping point.

The DICE model does not incorporate neoclassical economics growth theory because the theory does not apply to climate change.

The 2016 DICE model estimates a loss of 2.1 percent in global GDP with a 3o C warming by 2100.

The stated goal of the Paris Climate Agreement, a temperature target of 2o C or less, will result in abatement costs that will be greater than the damage cost at the margin.

It is unfortunate that market-based climate policy instruments, such as emission trading to limit GHG emissions, were never part of the Kyoto Protocol.

Signatories to the Paris climate agreement are asked to make self-determined emissions pledges.