Conclusion: The United States sucks.

1. What image started the modern day environmental movement?

The modern environmental movement was started by he first photo taken of the Earth from space, called “Earth Rise”. 

2. What is considered the most vulnerable part of the earth system?

The atmosphere is considered the most vulnerable part of the atmosphere.

3. Relatively speaking, compared to the earth, how thick is the atmosphere?

If the Earth is being represented by a globe, the atmosphere is like a coat of varnish painted on the outside of it.

4. How can trapping infrared radiation by the earth’s atmosphere be a GOOD thing?

By trapping in infrared radiation, the atmosphere keeps the Earth a relatively constant, livable temperature.

5. How can trapping infrared radiation by the earth’s atmosphere be a BAD thing?

By trapping in too much infrared radiation, the climate will warm up drastically by not allowing enough radiation to exit the Earth.

6. What percentage of people depend on glacial melt for their drinking water?

40% of the global population depends on the glacial melt for their drinking water.

7. Why is studying ice cores important?

By studying ice cores, the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere in past years can be measured, as well as the temperature at that time. Each layer of ice represents a year, which can be easily distinguished like the rings on a tree.

8. What is the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) and atmospheric temperature?

As the levels of CO2 rise, atmospheric temperatures rise, as well.

9. Over what time period have the hottest 10 years on earth occurred?

According to "An Inconvenient Truth," which was released in 2006, the 10 hottest years on Earth were between 1990 and 2006, with 2005 being the hottest.

10. As the water temperature under a hurricane increases, what happens to the wind velocity of the storm?

As the water temperature under a hurricane increases, the wind velocity and moisture content of the storm increases.

11. What has happened to Lake Chad over the years?

Once one of the largest lakes in Africa, Lake Chad has been reduced to almost nothing due to rising global temperatures, which have caused long, harmful droughts.

12. How much of the sun's radiation gets reflected by ice?

90% of the sun's radiation is reflected by ice.

13. What redistributes energy from the equator to the north and south poles?

Ocean and wind currents redistribute energy from the Equator to the North and South poles.

14. If the ice sheets of Western Antarctica were to melt, approximately how much would sea level rise?

If the ice sheets of Western Antarctica were to melt, sea levels would rise approximately 20 feet.

15. List the three factors causing the collision between civilization and earth

1. Population
2. Technology
3. Way of thought

16. Approximately, what percentages of global carbon dioxide emissions come from forest fires?

About 30% of global CO2 emissions come from forest fires.

17. What country is the largest contributor of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?

The United States is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions.

18. Which country has the lowest government standards for gas mileage of automobiles?

The United States has the lowest government standards for gas mileage for automobiles. The government's argument for these low standards were to preserve the economy and American car companies.

19. Which two nations have not signed onto the Kyoto Protocol?

The United States and Australia are the only two countries that have not signed the Kyoto Protocol.