A Trivia Quiz On Ecology

Explanation
The correct answer is 6%. This indicates that only a small percentage of plastics are currently being recycled. This low percentage may be due to various factors such as lack of proper recycling infrastructure, limited consumer awareness about recycling, and the difficulty in recycling certain types of plastics. Increasing the percentage of plastics being recycled is crucial for reducing environmental pollution and promoting a more sustainable approach to plastic waste management.

Explanation
The correct answer is 10%. This means that only 10% of the aerosols in the atmosphere are generated by human activity. The majority of aerosols in the atmosphere are naturally occurring, such as dust, sea salt, and volcanic emissions. Human activities, such as industrial processes, burning fossil fuels, and agricultural practices, contribute to a smaller portion of aerosols in the atmosphere. This answer highlights the relatively small impact that human activity has on aerosol generation compared to natural sources.

Explanation
Air pollution can be caused by liquids, solids, and gases. Liquids such as oil spills or chemical leaks can contaminate water bodies and affect the air quality. Solids, like dust particles or smoke from industrial activities, can also contribute to air pollution. Gases emitted from vehicles, factories, and power plants, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, are major contributors to air pollution. Therefore, all three - liquids, solids, and gases - can contribute to air pollution.

Explanation
The chemical symbol for carbon monoxide is CO, not CO2. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom (C) and one oxygen atom (O), while carbon dioxide (CO2) consists of one carbon atom (C) and two oxygen atoms (O). Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation
The correct answer is "More than 90 percent" because it states that a majority of the global population lives in a polluted air environment. This indicates that the pollution levels are high and have a significant impact on the majority of people worldwide.

Explanation
The industrial revolution, which occurred between 1760-1820, is widely recognized as the period when significant advancements in technology, manufacturing, and transportation took place. These advancements led to increased industrialization and urbanization, resulting in the exploitation of natural resources, pollution, and the degradation of the environment. Therefore, the industrial revolution is considered responsible for many of the Earth's current environmental issues.

Explanation
The statement suggests that outdoor air pollution causes five times more deaths per year compared to indoor air pollution. However, the correct answer is False. This means that outdoor air pollution does not cause five times more deaths per year than indoor air pollution. The explanation for this could be that while outdoor air pollution may have a significant impact on health and contribute to various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, indoor air pollution can also be a major health concern, especially in poorly ventilated or polluted indoor environments, such as households using solid fuels for cooking and heating. Therefore, it is important to address both outdoor and indoor air pollution to protect public health.

Explanation
The correct answer is heart disease and stroke. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2012, most premature deaths caused by outdoor air pollution were attributed to heart disease and stroke. This indicates that exposure to polluted air can significantly increase the risk of developing these cardiovascular conditions, leading to premature death.

Explanation
The correct answer is 50%. This means that since 1970, the total count of organisms on Earth has decreased by approximately half. This could be due to various factors such as habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources. The decline in organism count is concerning as it indicates a loss of biodiversity and can have significant ecological consequences. Efforts towards conservation and sustainable practices are crucial to address this decline and protect the planet's ecosystems.

Explanation
Scientists believe that the Earth has experienced five previous mass extinction events. These events were periods in Earth's history where a significant number of species and organisms disappeared within a relatively short period of time. The most well-known mass extinction event is the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. Other mass extinctions include the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which was the most severe, and the Ordovician-Silurian extinction event. These mass extinctions have had a profound impact on the diversity of life on Earth, and the current decline in species is being compared to these previous events.

Explanation
Rainforests are known to be incredibly rich in biodiversity, housing a wide variety of plant and animal species. The given answer of 80% suggests that a significant majority of the world's biodiversity is believed to originate from rainforests. This highlights the crucial role that these ecosystems play in supporting and sustaining global biodiversity.

Explanation
The correct answer is 1.1 c. This indicates that the average global temperature has risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius since 1900. This increase in temperature is a significant change and is a cause for concern as it indicates global warming. The rise in temperature has various consequences such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. It is crucial to address and mitigate the factors contributing to global warming to prevent further negative impacts on the planet.

Explanation
Oxygen is not considered a major greenhouse gas contributor because it does not have the ability to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. While it is a crucial component for the combustion of fuels and thus indirectly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, it does not directly contribute to the greenhouse effect. The major greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and nitrous oxide, have the ability to absorb and emit infrared radiation, leading to the warming of the Earth's surface.

Explanation
40% of global arable land is thought to be badly degraded. This means that a significant portion of land suitable for agriculture has lost its productivity and is no longer able to support sustainable farming practices. This could be due to factors such as soil erosion, nutrient depletion, pollution, and deforestation. The high percentage indicates the urgent need for sustainable land management practices and conservation efforts to prevent further degradation and ensure food security for the growing global population.