Environmental Studies · Geography

Climate Change Impacts

3,619 Questions

Review climate change impacts through a series of questions addressing global warming, sea level rise, and shifting weather patterns. The set covers consequences on water resources, agriculture, and biodiversity. This topic frequently appears in the general awareness and environmental studies sections of major competitive exams.

Sea level riseDeforestation effectsWater resource impactsInvasive species distribution

Climate Change Impacts Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following phenomena of global warming in the Pacific Ocean may also increase the frequency and severity as long-term global warming continues?

  1. El Nino

  2. Trade winds

  3. La Nina

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

El Nino is a Pacific Ocean warming phenomenon that climate scientists predict will increase in frequency and severity with continued global warming. La Nina is the cooling phase, while trade winds are normal atmospheric circulation patterns.

Multiple choice

How can wetlands help reduce the intensity of global warming?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows:

Wetlands are indeed the vital link between water and land. It is the collective term for marshes, swamps, and bogs, found along the edges of streams, rivers, lakes and coastlines. Wetlands can be found in nearly every country and climatic zone. Indeed wetlands are found from the Tundra to the Tropics and on every continent. They are so varied. Some are wet all the time. Some wetlands are large and some are very small. Many have been altered by human activities such as farming, building of roads, dams and towns. Wetlands are regarded wastelands sources of mosquitoes, flies, snakes and diseases. People had negative views about them and they eliminated them. Original wetlands have been destroyed; some of them have been converted into farmland, some others filled by industrial wastes.
Wetlands vary widely because of topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry and vegetation. Wetlands are the coastal mangrove forests, lake marshes and seasonally flooded lands along river courses. Palm swamps, sea grass beds, salt flats, and coral reefs are common wetlands. They are of two types: tidal wetlands and non-tidal (inland) wetlands. Tidal wetlands are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan and Gulf Coasts. The salt water and fluctuating water levels create a difficult environment. Some plants have adapted to the environment of saline conditions. Inland wetlands are common in the margins of lakes and rivers. They include wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps and shrubs and tall trees. The prolonged presence of water favours the growth of specially adapted plants.
States and tribes play a critical role in the protection and management of wetlands. With the growth of education, people have started understanding ecological processes and their attitude towards wetlands have changed. They have recognised the ecological significance of the wetlands; they are a source of valuable natural wealth. They help regulating water levels within watersheds; reduce flood and storm damages; and provide fish and wildlife habitat. They support hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.

Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems in the world. They have been described as biological supermarkets as they provide great volumes of food and attract many animal species. A variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals are found in these wetlands. Many species of birds, animals, rely on wetlands for food, water and shelter. The microbes, insects and wildlife are part of global cycles for water, nitrogen, and sulphur. They store carbon within their plant communities and thus help to moderate climate conditions.

  1. By helping the growth of plant and vegetation

  2. By maintaining the water, nitrogen and sulphur cycles

  3. By helping to prevent the ice melt in the tundra and the polar region

  4. By maintaining the ecological balance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (3) is nowhere mentioned in the passage. Options (2) and (4) may at best contribute indirectly. What is mentioned specifically in the last line of the passage is the trapping of carbon within the plant communities. The microbes, insects and wildlife are the part of global cycles for water, nitrogen and sulphur. They store carbon within their plant communities and thus, help moderate the climate conditions.

Multiple choice

The major effect of greenhouse effect would be

  1. global warming

  2. global cooling

  3. excessive precipitation

  4. depletion of ozone layer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Enhanced greenhouse effect from increased CO2, methane, and other gases traps more heat, raising global temperatures. This warming effect is the primary consequence of intensified greenhouse gases.

Multiple choice

What is the effect of excess accumulation of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere?

  1. Fall in sea level

  2. Formation of ice-caps

  3. Low atmospheric pressure

  4. Green House Effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps infrared radiation in the atmosphere, warming Earth's surface. This enhanced greenhouse effect leads to global warming, climate change, and rising sea levels - opposite of ice formation or sea level fall.

Multiple choice

How do the changes in the quantum of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere occur?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follow:

Forests provide a wide range of goods and services. Goods include timber, fuel wood, as well as food products (berries, mushrooms, etc.) and fodder. As regards important services, forests and trees play a role in the conservation of ecosystems, in maintaining quality of water, and in preventing or reducing the severity of floods, avalanches, erosion, and drought. Forests provide a wide range of economic and social benefits, such as employment, forest products, and protection of sites of cultural value. Forests, like other ecosystems, are affected by climate change. The impact due to climate change may be negative in some areas, and positive in others. However, forests also influence climate and the climate change process mainly by effecting the changes in the quantum of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They absorb CO2 from atmosphere, and store carbon in wood, leaves, litter, roots and soil by acting as “carbon sinks”.

  1. Through conservation of ecosystems

  2. Through the economic and social benefits of forests

  3. Through the forests acting as carbon sinks

  4. Cannot be determined from the passage

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as the forests absorb CO2 from atmosphere, and store carbon in wood, leaves, litter, roots and soil by acting as “carbon sinks”.

Multiple choice

According to the passage, how does climate change affect ecosystems?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follow:

Forests provide a wide range of goods and services. Goods include timber, fuel wood, as well as food products (berries, mushrooms, etc.) and fodder. As regards important services, forests and trees play a role in the conservation of ecosystems, in maintaining quality of water, and in preventing or reducing the severity of floods, avalanches, erosion, and drought. Forests provide a wide range of economic and social benefits, such as employment, forest products, and protection of sites of cultural value. Forests, like other ecosystems, are affected by climate change. The impact due to climate change may be negative in some areas, and positive in others. However, forests also influence climate and the climate change process mainly by effecting the changes in the quantum of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They absorb CO2 from atmosphere, and store carbon in wood, leaves, litter, roots and soil by acting as “carbon sinks”.

  1. All climate changes are detrimental to ecosystems.

  2. All climate changes are beneficial to ecosystems.

  3. Climate change can have either a negative or a positive change in an ecosystem.

  4. Cannot be determined from the passage.

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as the passage clearly states that the impact due to climate change may be negative in some areas, and positive in others.

Multiple choice

First paragraph of Passage II depicts _________________.

Passage – I

Every year there are changes in climate in different parts of the world. Some of these changes are due to natural causes. However, some climatic changes are caused by air pollution and these changes may increase. 
If the pollution affects the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the results are likely to be serious. Carbon dioxide constitutes only a small part of the atmosphere. But it has an important function in maintaining the balance between radiation from the sun entering the atmosphere and radiation leaving the Earth. Some of the radiation is absorbed by the Earth and some is radiated back into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevents some of the radiation from leaving the atmosphere. Thus the heat remains in the atmosphere and carbon dioxide helps to prevent the temperature of the Earth from falling.

If the proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increased as a result of air pollution, the temperature of the atmosphere may rise. This might eventually cause the ice in the north and the south poles to melt. If this happened, the sea level would rise and parts of the Earth would be flooded. The likelihood of this happening is remote, but the possibility exists.

There is also a fairly strong possibility that the dust level in the atmosphere will rise as a result of industrial pollution. This dust pollution will reflect sunlight back into space. If this happens, less sunlight will reach the Earth and the temperature will fall.

Another danger comes from the destruction of the Earth's vegetation, such as the forests of Brazil, which are being cleared to make way for farmland and cities. Trees use carbon dioxide and their destruction may upset the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

 

Passage – II

An acre of rainforest is destroyed every second for farmland we’ll use for a few years and leave. That rainforest is not replaceable. We complain rainforest is not replaceable. We complain there’s not a cure for HIV or many other diseases, but we destroy forest that it’s plants produce many medicines and one of those plants could contain a cure for a disease.

We use huge machinery to destroy the rainforest. These machines release chemicals into the air which pollutes the stuff we breathe into our bodies. Every time we gun that engine or peel our tires we pollute the air. If we want to breathe healthy air so we can enjoy the outdoors, we’re going to have to be more conscious on what we do. What do you think about a huge flood that kills all living things on land? Well, every time you spray the hairspray or cheese in a can you release aerosol which depletes the ozone. Because of our lack of knowledge or care there is now a huge hole over Antarctica. If to much heat gets to the glaciers they will melt overfilling the oceans causing massive floods on dry land. Floods so bad they would kill all living things. Would it kill you to not drive for the fun of it, possibly walk or car pool? Well, since people have over-used the gas of the world we’re facing a shortage of fossil fuel which is what powers our cars. With this problem other problems occur. Air pollution, noise pollution, and over crowding are some to just name a few. This problem needs to be taken care of quickly. The problem of pollution is something has to end and end soon. If something doesn’t stop the pollution will take over and destroy us which is no body’s fault but ourselves. The problem is bad but if we start to clean up now we could still make it a wonderful life (again).

  1. an honest mistake on the part of people

  2. a basic sense of hypocrisy that makes man a user

  3. innate selfishness of people that in this instance back-fired

  4. an ecological basis to the most fatal disease of today
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(1) is the correct option. Paragraph I of passage II depicts the way in which man uses the nature for his own selfish reasons, but which, now has started harming man himself.

Multiple choice

Which instance in passage I is supported by the information given in passage II?

Passage – I

Every year there are changes in climate in different parts of the world. Some of these changes are due to natural causes. However, some climatic changes are caused by air pollution and these changes may increase. 
If the pollution affects the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the results are likely to be serious. Carbon dioxide constitutes only a small part of the atmosphere. But it has an important function in maintaining the balance between radiation from the sun entering the atmosphere and radiation leaving the Earth. Some of the radiation is absorbed by the Earth and some is radiated back into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevents some of the radiation from leaving the atmosphere. Thus the heat remains in the atmosphere and carbon dioxide helps to prevent the temperature of the Earth from falling.

If the proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increased as a result of air pollution, the temperature of the atmosphere may rise. This might eventually cause the ice in the north and the south poles to melt. If this happened, the sea level would rise and parts of the Earth would be flooded. The likelihood of this happening is remote, but the possibility exists.

There is also a fairly strong possibility that the dust level in the atmosphere will rise as a result of industrial pollution. This dust pollution will reflect sunlight back into space. If this happens, less sunlight will reach the Earth and the temperature will fall.

Another danger comes from the destruction of the Earth's vegetation, such as the forests of Brazil, which are being cleared to make way for farmland and cities. Trees use carbon dioxide and their destruction may upset the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

 

Passage – II

An acre of rainforest is destroyed every second for farmland we’ll use for a few years and leave. That rainforest is not replaceable. We complain rainforest is not replaceable. We complain there’s not a cure for HIV or many other diseases, but we destroy forest that it’s plants produce many medicines and one of those plants could contain a cure for a disease.

We use huge machinery to destroy the rainforest. These machines release chemicals into the air which pollutes the stuff we breathe into our bodies. Every time we gun that engine or peel our tires we pollute the air. If we want to breathe healthy air so we can enjoy the outdoors, we’re going to have to be more conscious on what we do. What do you think about a huge flood that kills all living things on land? Well, every time you spray the hairspray or cheese in a can you release aerosol which depletes the ozone. Because of our lack of knowledge or care there is now a huge hole over Antarctica. If to much heat gets to the glaciers they will melt overfilling the oceans causing massive floods on dry land. Floods so bad they would kill all living things. Would it kill you to not drive for the fun of it, possibly walk or car pool? Well, since people have over-used the gas of the world we’re facing a shortage of fossil fuel which is what powers our cars. With this problem other problems occur. Air pollution, noise pollution, and over crowding are some to just name a few. This problem needs to be taken care of quickly. The problem of pollution is something has to end and end soon. If something doesn’t stop the pollution will take over and destroy us which is no body’s fault but ourselves. The problem is bad but if we start to clean up now we could still make it a wonderful life (again).

  1. The is a modification in this climate.

  2. There is a destruction of earth's foliage.

  3. Dust level might also use in the atmosphere.

  4. Pollution can lead to obstruction of radiations.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(2) is the right choice. Passage I talks about the destruction of foliage in last paragraph and Passage II talks about it is second paragraph.

Multiple choice

Which of the following cannot be attributed to the carbon dioxide level in the environment (Passage I)?

Passage – I

Every year there are changes in climate in different parts of the world. Some of these changes are due to natural causes. However, some climatic changes are caused by air pollution and these changes may increase. 
If the pollution affects the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the results are likely to be serious. Carbon dioxide constitutes only a small part of the atmosphere. But it has an important function in maintaining the balance between radiation from the sun entering the atmosphere and radiation leaving the Earth. Some of the radiation is absorbed by the Earth and some is radiated back into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevents some of the radiation from leaving the atmosphere. Thus the heat remains in the atmosphere and carbon dioxide helps to prevent the temperature of the Earth from falling.

If the proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increased as a result of air pollution, the temperature of the atmosphere may rise. This might eventually cause the ice in the north and the south poles to melt. If this happened, the sea level would rise and parts of the Earth would be flooded. The likelihood of this happening is remote, but the possibility exists.

There is also a fairly strong possibility that the dust level in the atmosphere will rise as a result of industrial pollution. This dust pollution will reflect sunlight back into space. If this happens, less sunlight will reach the Earth and the temperature will fall.

Another danger comes from the destruction of the Earth's vegetation, such as the forests of Brazil, which are being cleared to make way for farmland and cities. Trees use carbon dioxide and their destruction may upset the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

 

Passage – II

An acre of rainforest is destroyed every second for farmland we’ll use for a few years and leave. That rainforest is not replaceable. We complain rainforest is not replaceable. We complain there’s not a cure for HIV or many other diseases, but we destroy forest that it’s plants produce many medicines and one of those plants could contain a cure for a disease.

We use huge machinery to destroy the rainforest. These machines release chemicals into the air which pollutes the stuff we breathe into our bodies. Every time we gun that engine or peel our tires we pollute the air. If we want to breathe healthy air so we can enjoy the outdoors, we’re going to have to be more conscious on what we do. What do you think about a huge flood that kills all living things on land? Well, every time you spray the hairspray or cheese in a can you release aerosol which depletes the ozone. Because of our lack of knowledge or care there is now a huge hole over Antarctica. If to much heat gets to the glaciers they will melt overfilling the oceans causing massive floods on dry land. Floods so bad they would kill all living things. Would it kill you to not drive for the fun of it, possibly walk or car pool? Well, since people have over-used the gas of the world we’re facing a shortage of fossil fuel which is what powers our cars. With this problem other problems occur. Air pollution, noise pollution, and over crowding are some to just name a few. This problem needs to be taken care of quickly. The problem of pollution is something has to end and end soon. If something doesn’t stop the pollution will take over and destroy us which is no body’s fault but ourselves. The problem is bad but if we start to clean up now we could still make it a wonderful life (again).

  1. It is directly affected by the extent of pollution.

  2. Its basic function is regulatory.

  3. It acts as a watch dog both at the entry and the exit.

  4. The effect of carbon dioxide is ineluctable and all encompassing.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(4) is correct, as according to the passage, the negative effects of increase in CO2 level is a possibility. It is not inevitable as the choice suggests.

Multiple choice

What is the best possible title for the passage I?

Passage – I

Every year there are changes in climate in different parts of the world. Some of these changes are due to natural causes. However, some climatic changes are caused by air pollution and these changes may increase. 
If the pollution affects the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the results are likely to be serious. Carbon dioxide constitutes only a small part of the atmosphere. But it has an important function in maintaining the balance between radiation from the sun entering the atmosphere and radiation leaving the Earth. Some of the radiation is absorbed by the Earth and some is radiated back into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevents some of the radiation from leaving the atmosphere. Thus the heat remains in the atmosphere and carbon dioxide helps to prevent the temperature of the Earth from falling.

If the proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increased as a result of air pollution, the temperature of the atmosphere may rise. This might eventually cause the ice in the north and the south poles to melt. If this happened, the sea level would rise and parts of the Earth would be flooded. The likelihood of this happening is remote, but the possibility exists.

There is also a fairly strong possibility that the dust level in the atmosphere will rise as a result of industrial pollution. This dust pollution will reflect sunlight back into space. If this happens, less sunlight will reach the Earth and the temperature will fall.

Another danger comes from the destruction of the Earth's vegetation, such as the forests of Brazil, which are being cleared to make way for farmland and cities. Trees use carbon dioxide and their destruction may upset the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

 

Passage – II

An acre of rainforest is destroyed every second for farmland we’ll use for a few years and leave. That rainforest is not replaceable. We complain rainforest is not replaceable. We complain there’s not a cure for HIV or many other diseases, but we destroy forest that it’s plants produce many medicines and one of those plants could contain a cure for a disease.

We use huge machinery to destroy the rainforest. These machines release chemicals into the air which pollutes the stuff we breathe into our bodies. Every time we gun that engine or peel our tires we pollute the air. If we want to breathe healthy air so we can enjoy the outdoors, we’re going to have to be more conscious on what we do. What do you think about a huge flood that kills all living things on land? Well, every time you spray the hairspray or cheese in a can you release aerosol which depletes the ozone. Because of our lack of knowledge or care there is now a huge hole over Antarctica. If to much heat gets to the glaciers they will melt overfilling the oceans causing massive floods on dry land. Floods so bad they would kill all living things. Would it kill you to not drive for the fun of it, possibly walk or car pool? Well, since people have over-used the gas of the world we’re facing a shortage of fossil fuel which is what powers our cars. With this problem other problems occur. Air pollution, noise pollution, and over crowding are some to just name a few. This problem needs to be taken care of quickly. The problem of pollution is something has to end and end soon. If something doesn’t stop the pollution will take over and destroy us which is no body’s fault but ourselves. The problem is bad but if we start to clean up now we could still make it a wonderful life (again).

  1. Climatic changes- causation and effects

  2. Climate and pollution

  3. Pollution and carbon dioxide

  4. Future of earth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(2) is the correct choice as passage I deals with the relationship between pollution and climate, evident from the first paragraph of the passage.

Multiple choice

What immediate hazard is likely to occur if the temperature of the earth rises by 5°C?

  1. Melting of polar ice

  2. Destruction of phytoplankton

  3. Inundation of coastal towns

  4. Increase in productivity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A 5°C temperature rise would most immediately cause polar ice caps and glaciers to melt. While inundation of coastal towns would eventually occur, it's a secondary effect that happens after the ice melts and sea levels rise. Phytoplankton destruction and productivity changes are also longer-term ecosystem effects.

Multiple choice

How does the latitude of a place affect its temperature?

  1. Because insolation varies according to latitude

  2. Because terrestrial radiation is affected due to latitude

  3. As the advection of heat is affected by latitude

  4. Options 1 and 2 are correct

  5. Latitude does not have an affect on temperature.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. The temperature of a placedepends on the insolation received. The insolation varies according to the latitude. Hence, the temperature also varies accordingly.

Multiple choice

The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2°C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3°C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?

  1. Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source.
  2. Widespread coral mortality will occur.
  3. All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.
  4. Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.

Which of the following is the correct option?

  1. 1 only

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 2, 3 and 4 only

  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The third and fourth statements are not correct in this question.

Multiple choice

It can be inferred from the passage that

Directions: This question is based on the following reading passage. Choose the best answer to the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

Take a very commonplace, often discussed and critical topic: Are we detecting a greenhouse effect, and related to this, is it exacerbated by "homogenic factors," i.e., human actions? Most would be inclined to give a positive answer to both of these questions. But, if pushed, what would be the evidence, and how well grounded would it be for such affirmations?
Within scientific communities and associated scientifically informed circles, the answers have to be somewhat more ambiguous, particularly when rigorous questions concerning evidence are raised. Were scientific truth to be a matter of consensus, and some argue that scientific truth often turns out to be just that, then it is clear that there is beginning to be a kind of majority consensus among many earth science practitioners that the temperature of the Earth, particularly of the oceans, is indeed rising and that this is a crucial indicator for a possible greenhouse effect.
Most of these scientists admit that the mean oceanic temperature has risen globally in the last several decades. But this generalization depends upon how accurate measurements may be, not just for samples, but also for the whole Earth. Hot spots, for example the now four year old hot spot near New Guinea which is part of the El Niño cycle, does not count by itself because it might be balanced by cold spots elsewhere. And the fact of the matter is that "whole earth measurements" are still rare and primitive in the simple sense that we simply do not have enough thermometers out. Secondly, even if we had enough thermometers, a simply synchronic whole earth measurement over three decades is but a blip in the diachronic history of ice age cycles over the last tens of thousands of years. Thirdly, even if we know that the earth is now heating up, has an ever increasing ozone hole, and from this strange weather effects can be predicted, how much of this is due to homogenic factors, such as CFCs, CO2 increases, hydrocarbon burning, and the like? Is it really the case, as Science magazine claimed in l990, "24% of greenhouse encouraging gases are of homogenic origin"?

 

  1. we cannot be certain that strange weather effects are a result of the earth heating up and an ever-increasing ozone hole

  2. the greenhouse effect is the most widely discussed topic in the scientifically informed circles

  3. if the temperature of the oceans has ceased to rise at an ever-increasing rate, then the rate of global warming has increased

  4. strange weather effects have been shown to be due to the diachronic effects of hydrocarbon burning and not to increases in CFC

  5. strange weather effects are caused by the increase use of CFCs, CO2, and similar gasses
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The best answer is (1). The author is questioning the cause and effect relationship between the increasingly large ozone hole and global warming, as well as cause and effect relationship between global warming and strange weather effects.