![](http://www.meteor.iastate.edu/gccourse/exams/1998/s98final.gif)
Meteorology/Agronomy/Environmental Science
404/504
Final Examination
7 May 2002
Each question counts 8 points
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Why do we
need continuing research on the carbon
cycle? (4 points)
- 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)
- Discuss the
following statement: "Global warming will lead
to desertification". (4 points)
- 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)
28 total points (will be normalized to give correct balance as given in
course syllabus)