Climate Change 101
Ecosystem Engineers
Sustainable Design
Water Wonders
Disaster Zone
100

This country emits the most carbon dioxide per person.

United States of America

100

This species is known for its ability to build dams that significantly alter aquatic ecosystems, creating wetlands and influencing water flow.

Beaver

100

This type of building roof is covered with vegetation to help insulate the building and manage stormwater.

Green Roof

100

This process, essential in water-scarce regions, removes salt from seawater to make it drinkable.

Desalination

100

This 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine released massive amounts of radiation, leading to widespread environmental contamination and health issues for thousands of people.

Chernobyl

200

Environmental change caused or influenced by people, either directly or indirectly is called ____ (climate change is an example of this)

Anthropogenic

200

This burrowing animal is a well-known ecosystem engineer, creating tunnels that improve soil aeration, drainage, and nutrient cycling.

Earthworm

200

The “LEED” certification system for buildings stands for Leadership in _____ and Environmental Design

Energy

200

Almost all of fresh water (2/3) is unreachable for use because it is locked away here

Glaciers

200

This 2010 environmental disaster occurred when an oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded, releasing millions of barrels of oil into the ocean and devastating marine life.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

300

This is the temperature increase expected in Earth's global temperature expected by 2050 due to climate change

2.7 degrees fahrenheit, 1.5 degrees celsius 

300

This nitrogen-fixing plant, often found in forests, improves soil fertility by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.

Legumes

300

What type of building material is known for being renewable and can even absorb carbon dioxide as it grows?

Bamboo

300

This is the name of the underground layer of water-bearing rock that supplies drinking water to wells and springs

Aquifer

300

In the 1950s, this pesticide, which caused widespread harm to wildlife and human health, was banned after being linked to declines in bird populations, particularly raptors like the bald eagle. (Bonus points for the full name)

DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)

400
CO2 emissions began to increase exponentially in this era or time period

The Industrial Revolution

400

This coastal species is known for its ability to protect shorelines from erosion, provide habitat for marine species, and sequester carbon, making it a crucial ecosystem engineer in tropical regions.

Mangroves

400

This design approach involves creating buildings and infrastructure that can withstand and quickly recover from extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, or heatwaves, and adapt to future climate changes

Resilient Design

400

This federal law, enacted in 1972, regulates discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters and sets quality standards for surface waters.

Clean Water Act

400

These synthetic chemicals, commonly used in products like non-stick cookware and waterproof fabrics, have been linked to serious health issues and are known as "Forever Chemicals"

PFAS

500

This international event brings countries together every year to discuss climate action and solutions. What is the name of this event and what is the name this year? (Bonus points for where it's held).

United Nations Climate Change Conference (Conference of Parties) - COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan

500

This keystone species of birds went extinct in the wild due to habitat destruction, hunting, and lead poisoning, but has been successfully making a comeback. (Bonus if you can name their current conservation status)

California Condors (critically endangered)

500

This is the design plan the City of Philadelphia has implemented for stormwater infrastructure to combat Combined Sewer Overflow. (Bonus points for the department overseeing this plan)

Green City, Clean Waters (Philadelphia Water Department)

500

This phenomenon occurs when water from an aquifer is pumped too quickly, leading to the lowering of the water table and possible intrusion of saltwater or contaminants into freshwater sources. (Bonus if you can name an example)

Groundwater Overextraction (Central Valley of California or Ogallala Aquifer)

500

This international treaty, adopted in 1987, aimed to phase out the production of chemicals known to deplete the ozone layer, most notably chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Montreal Protocol