Sample Final Exams

Meteorology/Agronomy/Environmental Science 404/504

Final Examination

7 May 2002

Each question counts 8 points

1. Global changes in the chemical composition of the earth's atmosphere are the root cause of numerous anthropogenically induced changes in the global environment and hence were discussed in seven units in Block 1. List 4 changes in atmospheric chemistry that have occurred in the last 200 years and discuss a global change consequence of each.

2. Climate models are the main tools for assessing anthropogenic changes in the global environment and hence were discussed in 5 units in Block 2. Future impacts projected by climate models were discussed in 3 units in Block 3. Discuss climate model projections of future climate and the impact of these changes in climate on agriculture, global water resources, and human health.

3. Global human population, technology, and affluence are factors that determine the magnitude of anthropogenic global change. These were discussed in at least 5 units in Block 3. Give four examples of how advances in technology and/or affluence can lead to a decreasing impact on the global environment.

4. It might be asserted that the underlying goal of the whole course was to expose the challenges to sustainable development and help the student contribute to meeting these challenges. Give the Bruntland Commission definition of sustainable development and discuss three general ways ( e.g., "recycle my pop cans" is not general) the Global Change course attempts to prepare students to meet these challenges.

32 total points

Reminders:

1.     Blowing Smoke (or other words for BS) will be graded very harshly.
2.     Violations of the honor code will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

And on a positive note: The new homepage makeover currently in progress for the Global Change course will have an "Alumni Page" for recent updates tailored for 404 Alumni and will have opportunities to stay connected. We hope you will check us out occasionally and keep in touch about your evolving thinking on global change issues in the next phase of your career. Best of luck! Est

Meteorology/Agronomy/Environmental Science 404/504

Final Exam

30 April 2001

1. Rainforests in both Indonesia and Amazonia have evolved diversity through "island effects". Discuss what is meant by "island effects" and how such effects were both similar and different in these two regions. (4 points)

2. Discuss the underlying reason that a mountain glacier that disappears under global warming will not reappear under subsequent global cooling at the same global mean temperature that it disappeared. (4 points)

3. At a party your boss's boss's boss asks for your view of the most pressing global change problem facing humanity. What is your response (assuming you are very eager for a promotion)? (4 points)

4. Why do we need continuing research on the carbon cycle? (4 points)

5. Discuss the possible solutions to reducing negative impacts of anthropogenically induced global change over the next 100 years even with a growing global population. (4 points)

6. Discuss the following statement: "Global warming will lead to desertification". (4 points)

7. The Montreal Protocol is widely viewed as an international environmental success, but the Kyoto Protocol is viewed as a failure. Explain why the international community has had such success in one and such failure in the other. (4 points)