Climate Facts
What land use activity has the most overall, global demand for water resources due to scale of implementation across the landscape?
Agriculture
How does high meat consumption in wealthy nations affect global land and water use?
It increases demand for grain-fed livestock, using more land and freshwater resources.
True or False: Nuclear energy is considered both renewable and carbon-free energy.
FALSE: While nuclear energy produces zero emissions, uranium is not a renewable resource.
What organization sets benchmarks and goals for addressing factors related to global climate change?
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
This concept explains how some countries have food abundance while others experience hunger, even though the world produces enough food for everyone.
Food distribution inequality
Which fuel source, while economical and efficient, remains limited in use due to transport challenges worldwide?
Liquified natural gas (LNG)
Describe two effects of excess carbon emissions on global oceans: One direct effect and one indirect effect
Direct Effects
Indirect Effects
Explain one way climate change is likely to impact food production in both high-income and low-income countries.
Increased frequency of droughts and extreme weather events that reduce crop yields.
Which of the following would not be an ideal location for a solar energy farm? And why/why not?
- Steep hillslope with limited road access
- Grassland with little to no canopy cover
- The Pacific Northwest
- Steep hillslope with limited road access: Uneven ability to collect photons
- Kansas grassland with little to no canopy cover: IDEAL: Flat area, appropriate latitude/seasonality, clear access
- The Pacific Northwest: Cloud cover/overcast conditions, inconsistent sunlight
What is one example of an indirect human consumption activity of water?
Possible examples include but not limited to:
Food we consume that requires water for processing
Livestock raised for food that directly consume high volumes of water
Industrial manufacturing that requires water for heating/cooling purposes
Electrical generation where heat warms water to produce steam
Explain how political instability can be more critical than climate in determining food insecurity in some regions.
Conflict or weak governance can disrupt food production, imports, and aid delivery, even if environmental conditions are favorable.
What energy source is 100% renewable, with zero emissions, but is limited by the physical characteristics of the global landscape?
Geothermal energy
Give an example of a species which may benefit from global climate change. What makes this likely?
Invasive Species: Kudzu, emerald ash borer, etc.
Generalist Species: Raccoons, deer, etc.
Why: Ability to adapt, expand range and outcompete other organisms
Name one benefit and one concern of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture.
Benefit: higher yields or pest resistance.
Concern: ecological impact or loss of seed sovereignty.
What does EROI measure?
Why is this important for energy production?
EROI = Energy Return on Investment
The ratio of energy inputs vs gain: EfficiencySynthesized Fuels/Biofuels = Net Energy Cliff