Www.Saveearth.Info Eco Quiz

1. The chemical symbol for carbon monoxide is CO2?

True

False

CO2 is the symbol for carbon dioxide.

Explanation

CO2 is the symbol for carbon dioxide.

2. Half the people in the world today are below the age of 30?

True

False

3. Pollutant particles have many serious health effects but which sized particles present the most risk to the human body?

Smaller particles (less than 2.5 micrometers)

Larger particles (greater than 2.5 micrometers)

Particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers pose the most serious risk since they can bypass many of the bodies immune responses and pass deep down into the lungs.

Explanation

Particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers pose the most serious risk since they can bypass many of the bodies immune responses and pass deep down into the lungs.

4. Air pollution can be caused by:

Liquids

Solids

Gases

All of these

Air pollution can be caused by liquids, solids and gases.

Explanation

Air pollution can be caused by liquids, solids and gases.

5. The chemical symbol for ammonia is NH3?

True

False

6. What is the chemical symbol of ozone?

O

O2

O3

04

7. What percentage of the global population live in a polluted air environment?

Approximately 90%

Approximately 75%

Approximately 60%

Approximately 45%

Current estimates put the figure at around 92% - it's a staggering proportion of us who live in a polluted air environment.

Explanation

Current estimates put the figure at around 92% - it's a staggering proportion of us who live in a polluted air environment.

8. Eutrophication is primarily caused by which chemical?

Oxygen

Carbon

Nitrogen

Methane

9. Most plastics will degrade within 100 years?

True

False

Most plastics degrade over a much longer time frame, estimates range from between 500 - 1000 years. Some plastics may take considerably longer.

Explanation

Most plastics degrade over a much longer time frame, estimates range from between 500 - 1000 years. Some plastics may take considerably longer.

10. What percentage of global arable land has been lost since 1960?

One third

One quarter

One fifth

One sixth

11. In 2012, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that most premature deaths from outdoor air pollution were attributable to:

Lung cancer

Heart disease and stroke

Lower respiratory infections

Something else

The WHO report stated that some 72% of premature deaths were associated with ischaemic heart disease and strokes.

Explanation

The WHO report stated that some 72% of premature deaths were associated with ischaemic heart disease and strokes.

12. Aerosols typically spend how many days in the Earth's atmosphere?

1-3

4-7

8-10

11+

The typical time is 4-7 days although some aerosols can remain in the atmosphere for years.

Explanation

The typical time is 4-7 days although some aerosols can remain in the atmosphere for years.

13. The current global population is around how many billion?

6.5

7

7.5

8

14. Current atmospheric carbon levels have risen since the industrial revolution - back then, carbon levels were around 280 parts per million (ppm). What is the current approximate ppm figure?

310

410

510

610

15. Forests are a significant store of carbon. How many tons a year are said to be stored in the world's forests?

210 thousand tons

210 million tons

210 billion tons

None of the above

16. What percentage of all the water on Earth is considered freshwater?

25%

10%

3%

1%

17. Oceans absorb what percentage of atmospheric carbon dioxide?

They don't absorb any

1-25%

26-50%

51-60%

18. What percentage of all freshwater is groundwater?

3%

23%

13%

30%

Freshwater is roughly 69% attributable to glaciers and ice caps, 30% groundwater and 1% surface water.

Explanation

Freshwater is roughly 69% attributable to glaciers and ice caps, 30% groundwater and 1% surface water.

19. What percentage of the world's population relies on groundwater for drinking water?

5%

50%

70%

25%

20. Outdoor air pollution causes more deaths per annum than indoor air pollution?

True

False

Surprisingly, indoor air pollution causes more deaths.

Explanation

Surprisingly, indoor air pollution causes more deaths.

21. Particles in an aerosol are typically what size in diameter?

1-1000 nanometers

1-1000 micrometers

1-1000 millimeters

1-1000 centimeters

Particles are typically 1-1000 nanometers in diameter. One billion nanometers fit into one centimeter!

Explanation

Particles are typically 1-1000 nanometers in diameter. One billion nanometers fit into one centimeter!

22. What is the correct composition of air?

Oxygen 78%, nitrogen 21%, other gases 1%

Nitrogen 78%, oxygen 21%, other gases 1%

Nitrogen 70%, oxygen 29%, other gases 1%

Carbon 78%, oxygen 21%, nitrogen 1%.

23. Extinction rates are currently estimated to be around 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the 'background' extinction rate. How many species per year die out according to background rates?

3

4

5

10

The background rate accounts for 5 species extinctions per year - by definition this means that current species extinction rates fall around the 5,000 - 50,000 per annum mark.

Explanation

The background rate accounts for 5 species extinctions per year - by definition this means that current species extinction rates fall around the 5,000 - 50,000 per annum mark.

24. Since 1960, the amount of arable land per head of global population has fallen by how much?

One third

One half

Two thirds

Three quarters

25. How many acres are being lost per year through deforestation?

18 million

20 million

28 million

30 million

Based on data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Explanation

Based on data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.

26. What is the percentage of certainty that experts place on human activity being the cause of global warming?

77%

87%

97%

67%

NASA quotes a confidence value in excess of 95%, the Bill Nye National Geographic video puts the number at 97%.

Explanation

NASA quotes a confidence value in excess of 95%, the Bill Nye National Geographic video puts the number at 97%.

27. The current decline in species and organisms is being likened to a mass extinction event. How many previous mass extinction events do scientists think the Earth has known?

7

6

5

4

The current decline is being referred to as the 6th mass extinction.

Explanation

The current decline is being referred to as the 6th mass extinction.

28. What percentage of endangered animals are endangered because of man?

96%

97%

98%

99%

So says the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Explanation

So says the Encyclopedia Britannica.

29. What percentage of a modern car can be recycled?

60%

65%

70%

75%

It's 75% and the proportion is slowly rising all the time as manufacturers strive for sustainable solutions.

Explanation

It's 75% and the proportion is slowly rising all the time as manufacturers strive for sustainable solutions.

30. Put the following species extinction risk classifications in the correct order starting with least 'at risk' and ending with highest risk status:Endangered (EN) Faces a high risk of extinction in the near future.Near Threatened (NT) May be considered threatened in the near future.Vulnerable (VU) Faces a high risk of endangerment in the medium term.Extinct (EX)Least Concern (LC) No immediate threat to species' survival.Critically Endangered (CR) Faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future.Extinct in the Wild (EW) Captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living, natural population.

LC, NT, VU, EN, CR, EW, EX

LC, NT, EN, VU, CR, EW, EX

NT, LC, VU, EN, EW, CR, EX

NT, LC, VU, EN, CR, EW, EX

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organisation that compiles data on endangered animals and places them into different threat categories. Well done if you got this one right - it's a toughie!

Explanation

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organisation that compiles data on endangered animals and places them into different threat categories. Well done if you got this one right - it's a toughie!

31. Globally, how many billions of tons of fertile soil are lost each year?

12

24

36

48

32. The last ice age ended approximately how many years ago?

6,000

9,000

11,000

20,000

33. What percentage of the world's population live in areas with threats to water security?

50%

80%

25%

60%

According to a 2010 Nature report, the figure is 80%.

Explanation

According to a 2010 Nature report, the figure is 80%.

34. What is the biggest cause of deforestation in the Amazon?

Soya plantations

Commercial logging

Cattle ranching

Mineral extraction

Up to 80% of deforested land in the Amazon is now used for pasture. The cattle industry has ballooned since the 1970's, giving Brazil the largest commercial cattle herd in the world.

Explanation

Up to 80% of deforested land in the Amazon is now used for pasture. The cattle industry has ballooned since the 1970's, giving Brazil the largest commercial cattle herd in the world.

35. The pH logarithmic scale covers what range of values?

1 - 14

1 - 10

0 - 12

0 - 14

36. Which of the following gases are NOT considered a major greenhouse gas contributor?Oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, nitrous oxide,

Oxygen

Methane

Water vapour

Nitrous oxide

For those that selected water vapour, surprisingly, it is the most abundant greenhouse gas.

Explanation

For those that selected water vapour, surprisingly, it is the most abundant greenhouse gas.

37. What percentage of the world's oxygen is provided by oceans?

30%

40%

70%

60%

According to National Geographic, around 70% is produced by marine organisms.

Explanation

According to National Geographic, around 70% is produced by marine organisms.

38. What percentage of the total number of species that have ever lived on Earth are currently alive?

10%

1%

0.5%

0.1%

99.9% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct.

Explanation

99.9% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct.

39. Since 1900, the average global temperature has risen by how many degrees Celsius?

0.8 c

1.0 c

1.1 c

2 c

40. The industrial revolution has been credited with the onset of many of the Earth's current environmental issues. When did this revolution occur?

1700-1730

1730-1760

1760-1820

1820-1860

The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in the period from about 1760 to sometime around 1820. This transition notably included going from hand production methods to machines and saw the start of rapid fossil fuel use.

Explanation

The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in the period from about 1760 to sometime around 1820. This transition notably included going from hand production methods to machines and saw the start of rapid fossil fuel use.

41. What percentage of the land's surface is covered by forest?

15

20

25

30

According to NASA, it is 30%.

Explanation

According to NASA, it is 30%.

42. What percentage of global arable land is thought to be badly degraded?

14%

40%

50%

24%

According to The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report which gathered data between 2001-2005.

Explanation

According to The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report which gathered data between 2001-2005.

43. The illegal wildlife trade is big business. What is the current estimated annual value of this trade?

£1 billion

£10 billion

£15 billion

£20 billion

According to the WWF, the illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest illegal trade behind drugs, people smuggling and counterfeiting.

Explanation

According to the WWF, the illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest illegal trade behind drugs, people smuggling and counterfeiting.

44. What percentage of the world's population rely on groundwater for drinking water?

25%

50%

75%

40%

45. Agriculture is the biggest cause of deforestation. What percentage of deforestation is caused by this?

60%

70%

80%

90%

According to the United Nations, 48% is caused by subsistence farming and 32% from commercial agriculture making 80% in total.

Explanation

According to the United Nations, 48% is caused by subsistence farming and 32% from commercial agriculture making 80% in total.

46. Place the following atmospheric layers in order of lowest to highest (from the Earth's surface)

Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere

Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere

Stratosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere

Lithosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere

47. Since 1970, the total count of organisms on Earth has decreased by what approximate percentage?

40%

45%

50%

60%

Earth has lost half of its wildlife in the past 40 years, says WWF.

Explanation

Earth has lost half of its wildlife in the past 40 years, says WWF.

48. What percentage of forest fires are thought to be started by humans?

60%

70%

80%

90%

49. What percentage of the Amazon rain forest has been lost since 1970?

10%

20%

30%

40%

50. What percentage of aerosols in the atmosphere are generated by human activity?

90%

60%

20%

10%

It's 'only' 10%. Most aerosols released into the atmosphere are naturally generated from sources like volcanic activity and forest fires.

Explanation

It's 'only' 10%. Most aerosols released into the atmosphere are naturally generated from sources like volcanic activity and forest fires.

51. Experts predict a human global population of around how many billion by 2050?

8

9

10

11

52. Groundwater extraction has been increasing year-on-year. Since 1960, by what percentage has extraction activity increased?

30%

300%

500%

1000%

53. Deforestation is said to account for what percentage of greenhouse gas emissions?

5%

15%

25%

35%

54. The global population grows by around how many million every year?

20 million

200 million

22 million

75 million

55. Oceanic pH values have dropped by what percent since the start of the industrial revolution?

23%

33%

30%

40%

56. What percentage of plastics are recycled?

10%

25%

60%

6%

It's just 6%.

Explanation

It's just 6%.

57. What percentage of plastic is thought to be single-use?

30%

40%

50%

60%

58. What percentage of global food production is reliant on groundwater?

10%

20%

40%

50%

59. What percentage of global biodiversity is said to hail for the world's rain forests?

60%

70%

80%

90%

60. Annually, how many tons of plastic end up dumped into the world's oceans?

2 million

8 million

20 million

80 million

According to National Geographic, the figure is 8 million tons.

Explanation

According to National Geographic, the figure is 8 million tons.