PBIO 1000 - EXAM 4 LEARNING OBJECTIVE REVIEW
Describe the purpose of the Montreal Protocol (1987) - Answers - global agreement to
protect the earth's ozone layer by phasing out a host of chemicals that affected it,
notably CFCs and HCFCs (coming from aerosol sprays, Freon, air conditioning,
refrigeration)
Explain how the ozone layer is important to biological organisms and why we should
protect it - Answers - - shields planet from devastating levels of ultraviolet radiation
- (skin cancer, eye defects and cataracts, damages plants and phytoplankton. breaks
materials down)
Describe the purpose of the Paris Agreement and the INDCs - Answers - - first ever
legally binding global climate deal
- goal: reduce emissions with rapid reduction strategies, limit temp increase to 1.5
degC, be transparent and accountable, strengthen ability to deal w climate change,
minimize damage and loss, cooperate)
- INDC: intended nationally determined contribution
- sets a goal to be accountable to
Explain the benefits of addressing ozone depletion and climate change at a global level
by an international community - Answers - - create agreements that hold several nations
accountable
- larger impact
Describe the target specified by the United States INDC and explain how this can be
accomplished - Answers - - reduce GHGs 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025
- improved vehicle efficiency, increased renewable energy, service-oriented economy to
reduce industrial emissions, shift away from coal
Explain how well the business-as-usual forecast could meet our targets. Name the
predicted changes in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for each main type of GHG. -
Answers - - 5.4% decrease from 2014 levels by 2025
- slight decrease for electric, slight decrease for transportation, slight decrease for
industrial, slight increase for commercial, tiny decrease for residential
Describe how plants are being used to offset GHG emissions and the effectiveness of
this strategy - Answers - - forests are being used as carbon sinks
- "Optimistic Carbon Sink" scenario projects large sequestration and creates Forest
Carbon Accounting Network
- however, high population growth and increased forest conversion and development
could minimize these gains
, Describe policies and regulations proposed in the climate action plan to further reduce
GHG emissions and meet our NDC targets. Name the regulations that could support
these efforts (read through all documents and know what is highlighted in the
PowerPoint for Exam 4) - Answers - - reduce GHGs 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030
- ELECTRICITY: 100% carbon-pollution-free grid by 2035
- TRANSPORTATION: new efficiency standards for vehicles, funding for alternative
transportation infrastructure
- BUILDINGS: gov support for energy efficient heating and cooking, energy codes for
buildings (more efficient equipment)
- INDUSTRY: support low or 0 carbon emissions industrial processes and products
(indirect and direct emissions)
- AGR+LAND sustainable practices, invest in forest protection and management,
coastal resilience and disaster planning, blue carbon (reduce emissions, increase sinks)
- NON-CO2 GHGs: American Innovation and Manufacturing act phase down use of
HFCs, plug methane leaks, reduce agr methane and N2O
Describe the source, health effects and environmental impacts of ground-level ozone. -
Answers - - ground-level ozone forms when emissions of NO and VOCs react in
sunlight
- HEALTH: reduced lung function, respiratory symptoms, aggravates lung diseases,
increased mortality
- ENVR: injures leaves, reduces photosynthesis, impairs reproduction and growth,
decreased yields, decreased uptake of CO2, damage ecosystem structure, reduced
biodiversity, global warming
Describe particulate matter and know the associated health and environmental effects -
Answers - - PM2.5 or PM10
- 5 major categories: sulfate, nitrate, elemental (black) carbon, organic carbon, crustal
material
- HEALTH: cardiovascular effects, heart attacks, strokes, respiratory effects
- ENVR: haze, acidification of lakes and streams, changes nutrient balance of coastal
waters and river basins, depletes soil nutrients, damages sensitive forests and crops,
affects diversity of ecosystems, stain/damage stone
Explain the purpose of the Clean Air Act of 1970 and evaluate how well it has met its
goals. - Answers - - federal law regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile
sources
- authorized EPA to establish air quality standards (NAAQS)
- had to set new dates bc failed originally
- total emissions dropped 65% between 1980 and 2014, despite growth in GDP, vehicle
miles travelled, energy consumption, and population
Evaluate whether and how the Clean Water Act has benefited citizens. - Answers - - yes
- protects spaces essential for economy and quality of life
Describe the purpose of the Montreal Protocol (1987) - Answers - global agreement to
protect the earth's ozone layer by phasing out a host of chemicals that affected it,
notably CFCs and HCFCs (coming from aerosol sprays, Freon, air conditioning,
refrigeration)
Explain how the ozone layer is important to biological organisms and why we should
protect it - Answers - - shields planet from devastating levels of ultraviolet radiation
- (skin cancer, eye defects and cataracts, damages plants and phytoplankton. breaks
materials down)
Describe the purpose of the Paris Agreement and the INDCs - Answers - - first ever
legally binding global climate deal
- goal: reduce emissions with rapid reduction strategies, limit temp increase to 1.5
degC, be transparent and accountable, strengthen ability to deal w climate change,
minimize damage and loss, cooperate)
- INDC: intended nationally determined contribution
- sets a goal to be accountable to
Explain the benefits of addressing ozone depletion and climate change at a global level
by an international community - Answers - - create agreements that hold several nations
accountable
- larger impact
Describe the target specified by the United States INDC and explain how this can be
accomplished - Answers - - reduce GHGs 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025
- improved vehicle efficiency, increased renewable energy, service-oriented economy to
reduce industrial emissions, shift away from coal
Explain how well the business-as-usual forecast could meet our targets. Name the
predicted changes in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for each main type of GHG. -
Answers - - 5.4% decrease from 2014 levels by 2025
- slight decrease for electric, slight decrease for transportation, slight decrease for
industrial, slight increase for commercial, tiny decrease for residential
Describe how plants are being used to offset GHG emissions and the effectiveness of
this strategy - Answers - - forests are being used as carbon sinks
- "Optimistic Carbon Sink" scenario projects large sequestration and creates Forest
Carbon Accounting Network
- however, high population growth and increased forest conversion and development
could minimize these gains
, Describe policies and regulations proposed in the climate action plan to further reduce
GHG emissions and meet our NDC targets. Name the regulations that could support
these efforts (read through all documents and know what is highlighted in the
PowerPoint for Exam 4) - Answers - - reduce GHGs 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030
- ELECTRICITY: 100% carbon-pollution-free grid by 2035
- TRANSPORTATION: new efficiency standards for vehicles, funding for alternative
transportation infrastructure
- BUILDINGS: gov support for energy efficient heating and cooking, energy codes for
buildings (more efficient equipment)
- INDUSTRY: support low or 0 carbon emissions industrial processes and products
(indirect and direct emissions)
- AGR+LAND sustainable practices, invest in forest protection and management,
coastal resilience and disaster planning, blue carbon (reduce emissions, increase sinks)
- NON-CO2 GHGs: American Innovation and Manufacturing act phase down use of
HFCs, plug methane leaks, reduce agr methane and N2O
Describe the source, health effects and environmental impacts of ground-level ozone. -
Answers - - ground-level ozone forms when emissions of NO and VOCs react in
sunlight
- HEALTH: reduced lung function, respiratory symptoms, aggravates lung diseases,
increased mortality
- ENVR: injures leaves, reduces photosynthesis, impairs reproduction and growth,
decreased yields, decreased uptake of CO2, damage ecosystem structure, reduced
biodiversity, global warming
Describe particulate matter and know the associated health and environmental effects -
Answers - - PM2.5 or PM10
- 5 major categories: sulfate, nitrate, elemental (black) carbon, organic carbon, crustal
material
- HEALTH: cardiovascular effects, heart attacks, strokes, respiratory effects
- ENVR: haze, acidification of lakes and streams, changes nutrient balance of coastal
waters and river basins, depletes soil nutrients, damages sensitive forests and crops,
affects diversity of ecosystems, stain/damage stone
Explain the purpose of the Clean Air Act of 1970 and evaluate how well it has met its
goals. - Answers - - federal law regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile
sources
- authorized EPA to establish air quality standards (NAAQS)
- had to set new dates bc failed originally
- total emissions dropped 65% between 1980 and 2014, despite growth in GDP, vehicle
miles travelled, energy consumption, and population
Evaluate whether and how the Clean Water Act has benefited citizens. - Answers - - yes
- protects spaces essential for economy and quality of life
