Meteor/Agron/EnvSci/EnvSt 404/504

Final Examination
5 May 1998

1. In the unit on agriculture we discussed the steps in translating information about changes in greenhouse gases into information about changes in global food supplies. Discuss these steps and give your view on the step that introduces the most uncertainty.



2. In 3 or 4 sentences, state and give supporting evidence for the most effective solution to the global population problem.



3. What is sustainable development?



4. What is the likely problem to arise if the Chinese people change their dietary patterns?



5. Give 5 significant economic advantages of CO₂- induced global warming.



6. hy did Mickey Glantz study the Ogallala aquifer, the Mississippi River, the Great Salt Lake, and other US regions in order to learn more about global warming?



7. Discuss the following statement: "Tradable carbon rights will prevent the tragedy of the commons".



8. An April 1998 issue of Science stated that global warming might lead to increased skin cancer. The reasoning is that surface warming leads to cooling of the lower stratosphere (which global climate models predict and observations show is actually happening). Explain why a cooler stratosphere will, indirectly, lead to more skin cancer.



9. If a weather forecast has no skill beyond 10 days, why does a climate simulation (which uses the same equations) have skill in predicting climate 10 years in advance?



10. In your opinion, what is the most significant ethical question relating to global change? Give at least 4 sentences to explain why you view this issue as important.



11. Define in your own words the concept of desertification.



12. In 3-5 sentences, discuss the conclusions reached at the Kyoto conference and why this conclusion has led to so much controversy in the US.