Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming and Climate Agreements

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which gas is the largest contributor to human-caused global warming?

   • A.Oxygen
   • B.Nitrogen
   • C.Argon
   • D.Carbon dioxide✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Burning fossil fuels releases it.

2. Q2.The Paris Agreement on climate change was adopted in:

   • A.1992
   • B.1997
   • C.2015✓ Correct Answer
   • D.2009

   Explanation: It was adopted at COP21.

3. Q3.The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in:

   • A.1997✓ Correct Answer
   • B.1987
   • C.2005
   • D.2015

   Explanation: It set binding targets for developed countries.

4. Q4.IPCC stands for:

   • A.International Protocol on Carbon Control
   • B.Indian Panel on Climate Change
   • C.International Panel for Clean Climate
   • D.Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: It assesses the science of climate change.

5. Q5.The greenhouse effect is caused by gases that:

   • A.trap heat in the atmosphere✓ Correct Answer
   • B.absorb sound
   • C.reflect all sunlight
   • D.cool the Earth

   Explanation: It keeps the Earth warm enough for life.

6. Q6.Rising global temperatures cause sea levels to rise mainly through melting ice and:

   • A.more rainfall on land
   • B.thermal expansion of seawater✓ Correct Answer
   • C.fewer rivers
   • D.wind erosion

   Explanation: Warm water occupies more volume.

7. Q7.The UNFCCC was adopted at the Earth Summit of:

   • A.1992✓ Correct Answer
   • B.1972
   • C.1997
   • D.2002

   Explanation: It came into force in 1994.

8. Q8.The Paris Agreement aims to limit the rise in global temperature well below:

   • A.5 °C
   • B.2 °C above pre-industrial levels✓ Correct Answer
   • C.10 °C
   • D.0.1 °C

   Explanation: The goal is to keep warming well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue a still lower limit.

9. Q9.The IPCC was jointly set up in 1988 by WMO and:

   • A.UNESCO
   • B.FAO
   • C.UNEP✓ Correct Answer
   • D.WHO

   Explanation: It shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

10. Q10.The International Solar Alliance was launched by India and France in:

    • A.1997, at Kyoto
    • B.1992, at Rio
    • C.2015, at COP21 in Paris✓ Correct Answer
    • D.2002, at Johannesburg

    Explanation: Its headquarters are in Gurugram.

11. Q11.India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was released in:

    • A.2008✓ Correct Answer
    • B.1992
    • C.2000
    • D.2015

    Explanation: It has eight national missions.

12. Q12.Which gas, produced by paddy fields and cattle, has a higher warming effect per molecule than CO2?

    • A.Argon
    • B.Helium
    • C.Neon
    • D.Methane✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Methane persists for a shorter time but traps more heat.

13. Q13.The El Nino phenomenon is associated with warming of the sea surface in the:

    • A.Arctic Ocean
    • B.Southern Atlantic
    • C.central and eastern Pacific Ocean✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Indian Ocean only

    Explanation: It often weakens the Indian monsoon.

14. Q14.A "carbon sink" is a system that:

    • A.releases carbon only
    • B.absorbs more carbon than it releases✓ Correct Answer
    • C.produces CFCs
    • D.burns fossil fuels

    Explanation: Forests and oceans are major sinks.

15. Q15.The Himalayan glaciers are important because they feed rivers such as the:

    • A.Ganga and Brahmaputra✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Narmada and Tapi
    • C.Godavari and Krishna
    • D.Cauvery and Vaigai

    Explanation: Peninsular rivers are rain-fed.

16. Q16.In climate negotiations, COP stands for:

    • A.Council of Polluting nations
    • B.Conference of the Parties✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Committee on Pollution
    • D.Convention on Planet

    Explanation: It is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC.

17. Q17.The Kyoto Protocol came into force in:

    • A.1997
    • B.2001
    • C.2015
    • D.2005✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: It needed ratification by enough countries.

18. Q18.The Kigali Amendment (2016) to the Montreal Protocol targets the phase-down of:

    • A.carbon monoxide
    • B.sulphur dioxide
    • C.hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)✓ Correct Answer
    • D.methane

    Explanation: HFCs are potent greenhouse gases.

19. Q19.The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a mechanism under the:

    • A.Montreal Protocol
    • B.Ramsar Convention
    • C.Basel Convention
    • D.Kyoto Protocol✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: It earns certified emission reduction credits.

20. Q20.The Paris Agreement came into force in:

    • A.2015
    • B.2016✓ Correct Answer
    • C.2018
    • D.2020

    Explanation: It entered into force on 4 November 2016.