Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET

Q7. Explain the natural greenhouse effect. How does it differ from the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Q8. List the major greenhouse gases in order of their abundance in the atmosphere. Which one has the highest global warming potential?

Q9. Why does CO₂ contribute more to global warming than methane, despite methane having a higher GWP?

Q10. What is carbon footprint? Suggest two ways an Indian household can reduce its carbon footprint.

Q11. Your family uses an air conditioner throughout the summer in Chennai. Explain how this contributes to global warming, directly and indirectly.

Q12. Why are CFCs considered potent greenhouse gases even though they are present in very small concentrations?

Q13. Discuss the greenhouse effect and global warming in detail:

(a) The mechanism of the natural greenhouse effect — absorption and re-radiation of infrared radiation

(b) Major greenhouse gases, their sources, and relative contributions

(c) The enhanced greenhouse effect — how human activities have intensified it

(d) Evidence of global warming — temperature records, melting glaciers, sea-level rise

(e) Projected consequences if global temperatures rise beyond 2°C

Q14. Explain the sources and sinks of major greenhouse gases:

(a) CO₂ — sources (fossil fuel combustion, cement production, deforestation) and sinks (oceans, forests, soil)

(b) CH₄ — sources (rice paddies, livestock, landfills, fossil fuel extraction)

(c) N₂O — sources (agriculture, industry)

(d) CFCs and HFCs — sources (refrigeration, air conditioning, industrial processes)

Discuss India's contribution to each gas and mitigation strategies.

Q15. India is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases but also highly vulnerable to climate change. Discuss:

(a) India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement

(b) Why India argues for "common but differentiated responsibilities" in global climate negotiations

(c) The impact of global warming on Indian agriculture, monsoons, and coastal cities (Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata)

(d) India's initiatives: International Solar Alliance, National Action Plan on Climate Change, and the target of net-zero by 2070

Q16. The atmospheric CO₂ concentration has increased from 280 ppm in pre-industrial times to 420 ppm in 2024.

(a) Calculate the percentage increase in CO₂ concentration.

(b) If the current rate of increase is 2.5 ppm per year, calculate the year when CO₂ will reach 500 ppm.

(c) The total mass of CO₂ in the atmosphere is estimated at 3.2 × 10¹⁵ kg. Calculate the additional mass of CO₂ added since pre-industrial times.

Q17. A coal-fired power plant in Odisha emits 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ per day. The plant plans to offset emissions by afforestation.

(a) Calculate the annual CO₂ emissions from the plant.

(b) If 1 hectare of mature forest absorbs 10 tonnes of CO₂ per year, calculate the forest area needed to offset the plant's annual emissions.

(c) If the cost of afforestation is ₹ 50,000 per hectare, calculate the total cost of carbon offset.

(d) If carbon credits are sold at ₹ 800 per tonne of CO₂, calculate the annual revenue from selling carbon credits.

Q18. India's per capita CO₂ emission is 1.9 tonnes/year, while the global average is 4.8 tonnes/year. The USA's per capita emission is 14.9 tonnes/year.

(a) Calculate how many times India's per capita emission is lower than the USA's.

(b) If India's population is 1.4 billion, calculate India's total annual CO₂ emissions.

(c) If India aims to reach net-zero by 2070 and its emissions peak in 2030 at 4 billion tonnes, calculate the average annual reduction needed from 2030 to 2070.