Environmental Science - Current Events Quiz

1. Which country recently pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2060?

A) United States
B) China
C) Russia
D) India

2. The 2023 COP28 climate summit will be held in which country?

A) Egypt
B) United Arab Emirates
C) United Kingdom
D) Brazil

3. What global temperature rise does the Paris Agreement aim to limit to by 2100?
A) 1.5°C
B) 2.5°C
C) 3.5°C
D) 4.0°C

4. Which city was recently named the world’s first “National Park City” to promote urban
biodiversity?
A) Tokyo
B) New York
C) London
D) Sydney

5. In 2023, which European country experienced record-breaking wildfires, significantly impacting

air quality?
A) Italy
B) Greece
C) France
D) Spain

6. What term refers to the long-term global increase in average surface temperatures due to human
activity?
A) Ozone depletion
B) Global warming
C) Acidification
D) Urbanization

7. The phenomenon of coral bleaching is primarily caused by which environmental stressor?

A) Overfishing
B) Pollution
C) Ocean acidification
D) Increased sea temperatures

8. Which of the following is considered the most significant greenhouse gas contributing to climate
change?
A) Oxygen
B) Methane
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Nitrous oxide

9. In 2023, which country announced its plan to ban single-use plastics by 2025?
A) Canada
B) Australia
C) Japan
D) South Korea
10. Which organization releases the annual "State of the Global Climate" report?
A) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
B) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
C) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
D) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

11. What is the name of the current pattern of oceanic and atmospheric conditions that causes
global weather changes and recently triggered heat waves in 2023?
A) La Niña
B) El Niño
C) Gulf Stream
D) Monsoon

12. Which country is currently the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world?
A) India
B) United States
C) China
D) Russia

13. In which U.S. state did wildfires in 2023 cause unprecedented damage and air quality issues for
neighboring regions?
A) California
B) Hawaii
C) Oregon
D) Florida

14. Which of the following energy sources is renewable?

A) Natural Gas
B) Coal
C) Wind
D) Oil

15. What is the primary cause of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?

A) Urban expansion
B) Cattle ranching
C) Mining
D) Tourism

16. Which country is currently leading the global production of solar energy?
A) Germany
B) United States
C) China
D) Brazil

17. What does the term "carbon footprint" refer to?

A) The number of trees cut down
B) The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activities
C) The size of land occupied by agriculture
D) The amount of waste produced by a city

18. In 2023, scientists reported that the Great Barrier Reef experienced its ___ mass bleaching
event due to warming waters.
A) First
B) Third
C) Sixth
D) Ninth

19. Which type of pollution has been linked to the destruction of marine ecosystems, particularly
affecting fish and seabirds?
A) Light pollution
 B) Sound pollution
C) Plastic pollution
D) Air pollution

20. In recent environmental legislation, the European Union has set a goal to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by ___ by 2030.
A) 30%
B) 40%
C) 55%
D) 65%

21. What invasive species was found to threaten the stability of ecosystems in North American lakes
in 2023?
A) Lionfish
B) Zebra mussels
C) Pythons
D) Asian carp

22. The expansion of wind farms in Europe, particularly offshore, is part of the plan to transition to
which type of economy?
A) Coal-based
B) Circular
C) Green
D) Nuclear

23. In 2023, the U.S. government invested billions into which clean energy technology as part of its
climate agenda?
A) Nuclear fusion
B) Geothermal energy
C) Biofuels
D) Solar energy

24. What percentage of the Earth’s water is freshwater, which is vital for drinking and agriculture?
A) 50%
B) 10%
C) 3%
D) 1%

25. Which animal was declared functionally extinct in 2023 due to habitat loss in Southeast Asia?
A) Sumatran tiger
B) Javan rhino
C) Asian elephant
D) Yangtze giant softshell turtle

26. Ocean acidification is caused by increased levels of which gas?

A) Oxygen
B) Nitrogen
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Methane

27. The “green hydrogen” economy refers to producing hydrogen energy using what?
A) Natural gas
B) Nuclear power
C) Renewable energy
D) Coal

28. Which African country recently announced a major reforestation initiative to plant 10 million
trees by 2030?
A) Kenya
B) South Africa
 C) Ghana
D) Nigeria

29. What phenomenon results from the trapping of heat in Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse
gases?
A) Ocean current shifts
B) The greenhouse effect
C) Volcanic activity
D) Ozone depletion

30. In 2023, the United Nations declared the first “Loss and Damage” fund, which aims to assist
countries affected by which type of crisis?
A) Deforestation
B) Climate-related disasters
C) Oil spills
D) Overfishing

31. Which material is most commonly recycled globally?

A) Aluminum
B) Plastic
C) Paper
D) Glass

32. The world’s largest floating solar power plant was constructed in which country in 2023?
A) China
B) India
C) Brazil
D) Indonesia

33. A recent study highlighted that which ecosystem can capture up to 10 times more carbon per
hectare than a tropical forest?
A) Coral reefs
B) Grasslands
C) Mangroves
D) Arctic tundra

34. Which country experienced catastrophic flooding in 2023 due to a combination of melting
glaciers and monsoon rains?
A) Nepal
B) Pakistan
C) Bangladesh
D) India

35. Which pollutant was highlighted as the primary cause of smog and respiratory issues in cities
around the world?
A) Carbon monoxide
B) Ground-level ozone
C) Sulfur dioxide
D) Lead

36. In 2023, new technology was deployed in the Pacific Ocean to collect what type of pollution?
A) E-waste
B) Plastic
C) Chemical
D) Oil

37. Scientists have warned that the loss of Arctic sea ice could cause the extinction of which
species by 2050?
A) Polar bears
B) Penguins
 C) Orcas
D) Sea turtles

38. What is the primary driver of desertification in regions like the Sahel and the Middle East?
A) Overgrazing
B) Urban sprawl
C) Drought
D) Industrial farming

39. In 2023, global commitments were made to phase out which type of refrigerants due to their
impact on the ozone layer?
A) CFCs
B) HCFCs
C) HFCs
D) PCBs

40. Microplastics have been recently detected in which unexpected location?

A) Human lungs
B) Antarctic ice
C) Mars' atmosphere
D) The stratosphere

41. What key feature of the Amazon Rainforest earned it the title "lungs of the Earth"?
A) It absorbs carbon dioxide
B) It produces most of the world’s oxygen
C) It regulates rainfall patterns
D) It holds large freshwater reserves

42. In 2023, the UN reported that the global population exceeded what milestone, raising concerns
about sustainability?
A) 7 billion
B) 8 billion
C) 9 billion
D) 10 billion

43. What is the practice of managing forests to sustain their biodiversity, productivity, and ecological
health called?
A) Afforestation
B) Agroforestry
C) Sustainable forestry
D) Silviculture

44. Which renewable energy source relies on the gravitational pull of the moon?
A) Wind energy
B) Solar energy
C) Tidal energy
D) Geothermal energy

45. What percentage of the world’s oxygen is produced by oceans, particularly from phytoplankton?
A) 10%
B) 30%
C) 50%
D) 70%

46. What region of the world is warming at a rate four times faster than the global average?
A) The Arctic
B) Sub-Saharan Africa
C) Australia
D) Southeast Asia
 47. In 2023, what was identified as a leading cause of biodiversity loss globally?
A) Overhunting
B) Habitat destruction
C) Industrial waste
D) Air pollution

48. "Rewilding" is a conservation approach that involves what?

A) Introducing invasive species
B) Restoring ecosystems to their natural state
C) Expanding urban green spaces
D) Increasing logging activities

49. Which 2023 agreement aims to halt deforestation and restore forests globally by 2030?
A) Glasgow Leaders' Declaration
B) Kyoto Protocol
C) Montreal Protocol
D) Paris Agreement

50. Recent research has found that which natural system plays a crucial role in mitigating the
impacts of rising sea levels on coastlines?
A) Salt marshes
B) Deserts
C) Boreal forests
D) Savannahs

KEY TO CORRECTION

1. B) China
2. B) United Arab Emirates
3. A) 1.5°C
4. C) London
5. B) Greece
6. B) Global warming
7. D) Increased sea temperatures
8. C) Carbon dioxide
9. A) Canada
10. D) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
11. B) El Niño
12. C) China
13. B) Hawaii
14. C) Wind
15. B) Cattle ranching
16. C) China
17. B) The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activities
18. C) Sixth
19. C) Plastic pollution
20. C) 55%
21. B) Zebra mussels
22. C) Green
23. A) Nuclear fusion
24. C) 3%
25. D) Yangtze giant softshell turtle
26. C) Carbon dioxide
27. C) Renewable energy
28. A) Kenya
29. B) The greenhouse effect
30. B) Climate-related disasters
31. A) Aluminum
32. A) China
33. C) Mangroves
34. B) Pakistan
35. B) Ground-level ozone
36. B) Plastic
37. A) Polar bears
38. A) Overgrazing
39. C) HFCs
40. B) Antarctic ice
41. A) It absorbs carbon dioxide
42. B) 8 billion
43. C) Sustainable forestry
44. C) Tidal energy
45. D) 70%
46. A) The Arctic
47. B) Habitat destruction
48. B) Restoring ecosystems to their natural state
49. A) Glasgow Leaders' Declaration
50. A) Salt marshes
Environmental Science - Current Events in the Philippines Quiz

1. What major environmental disaster struck the island of Mindoro in early 2023?
A) Oil spill
B) Landslide
C) Earthquake
D) Typhoon

2. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently launched a campaign to
rehabilitate which famous body of water in Manila?
A) Manila Bay
B) Pasig River
C) Laguna de Bay
D) Taal Lake

3. In 2023, the Philippine government declared a state of calamity in several provinces due to the eruption
of which volcano?
A) Mount Mayon
B) Taal Volcano
C) Mount Pinatubo
D) Kanlaon Volcano

4. Which of the following is a major threat to marine biodiversity in the Philippines, as highlighted by
environmental groups in 2023?
A) Illegal fishing
B) Coral bleaching
C) Mangrove deforestation
D) All of the above

5. In 2023, a law was passed to increase the protection of which endangered species in Palawan?
A) Philippine eagle
B) Tamaraw
C) Palawan pangolin
D) Philippine crocodile

6. The Philippines is among the top global producers of which pollutant, particularly in coastal areas?
A) Plastic waste
B) Chemical runoff
C) Airborne sulfur dioxide
D) Radioactive waste

7. The "Save Sierra Madre" campaign gained momentum in 2023 due to concerns over what?
A) Illegal logging
B) Mining activities
C) Infrastructure projects
D) Climate change

8. The Philippines committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by ___ by 2030 under its Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC).
A) 20%
B) 35%
C) 50%
D) 75%

9. What key strategy is being implemented in 2023 to address flooding in Metro Manila?
A) River dredging
B) Urban greening
C) Wastewater management
D) Construction of more dams
10. The annual International Coastal Cleanup Day, widely observed in the Philippines, focuses on
combating what type of pollution?
A) Air pollution
B) Water pollution
C) Plastic pollution
D) Soil contamination

11. In 2023, which island in the Philippines was again temporarily closed to tourists for rehabilitation due to
environmental degradation?
A) Boracay
B) Siargao
C) Palawan
D) Cebu

12. A project to revive the Pasig River in 2023 included which of the following measures?
A) Waste management and reduction
B) Mangrove replanting
C) River dredging
D) All of the above

13. Which government agency is primarily responsible for enforcing environmental laws in the Philippines?
A) Department of Agriculture (DA)
B) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
C) Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
D) National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

14. Which indigenous community in the Philippines has recently protested against mining operations on
their ancestral lands in Mindanao?
A) Ifugao
B) Lumad
C) Aeta
D) Mangyan

15. In 2023, the government promoted the adoption of which renewable energy source to reduce reliance
on fossil fuels?
A) Solar energy
B) Geothermal energy
C) Wind energy
D) All of the above

16. Typhoon Odette (Rai) in 2021 caused significant damage, with its effects still felt in 2023. Which sector
was most impacted?
A) Agriculture
B) Tourism
C) Fishing
D) All of the above

17. In 2023, which area in the Philippines was named as a protected area to safeguard biodiversity?
A) Siargao Island
B) Apo Reef
C) Mount Hamiguitan
D) Marinduque

18. What was the leading cause of deforestation in the Philippines in 2023?
A) Agricultural expansion
B) Illegal logging
C) Infrastructure development
D) Mining activities
19. In 2023, the Philippines signed agreements with other Southeast Asian countries to address which
environmental issue?
A) Overfishing
B) Climate change
C) Transboundary haze pollution
D) Deforestation

20. The Philippine government has been actively promoting "urban gardening" in response to which
environmental challenge?
A) Air pollution
B) Food insecurity
C) Deforestation
D) Water scarcity

21. The illegal trade of which critically endangered species continues to be a significant environmental
issue in the Philippines?
A) Philippine eagle
B) Green sea turtle
C) Philippine tarsier
D) Dugong

22. The El Niño phenomenon has been linked to which environmental problem affecting the Philippines in
2023?
A) Droughts
B) Flooding
C) Increased typhoons
D) Landslides

23. What 2023 initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by planting trees along national highways in the
Philippines?
A) Road to Reforestation
B) Greening the Philippines
C) National Greening Program
D) Highway Reforestation Act

24. The growing problem of air pollution in Metro Manila has been largely attributed to which source?
A) Industrial emissions
B) Vehicle emissions
C) Open burning
D) Agricultural activities

25. In 2023, which island group experienced severe coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures?
A) Batanes
B) Visayas
C) Mindanao
D) Calamian Islands

26. Which Philippine city was ranked among the world's most at-risk from climate-related disasters in a
2023 report?
A) Davao City
B) Quezon City
C) Cebu City
D) Manila

27. The Philippines' Renewable Energy Act aims to increase the country’s renewable energy share to at
least ___ by 2030.
A) 15%
B) 25%
C) 35%
D) 50%
28. What alternative energy source is abundant in the Philippines due to its volcanic activity?
A) Geothermal energy
B) Hydropower
C) Biomass energy
D) Wind energy

29. What critical environmental challenge is faced by the island of Boracay, which was rehabilitated and
reopened in 2019?
A) Water pollution
B) Over-tourism
C) Coral reef destruction
D) All of the above

30. What invasive species has been wreaking havoc on the biodiversity of Philippine marine ecosystems in
recent years?
A) Crown-of-thorns starfish
B) Lionfish
C) Zebra mussels
D) Carp

31. The DENR's "Tayo ang Kalikasan" campaign launched in 2023 focuses on what?
A) Environmental conservation
B) Waste management
C) River restoration
D) Wildlife protection

32. Which international environmental treaty has the Philippines ratified to address the depletion of the
ozone layer?
A) Kyoto Protocol
B) Paris Agreement
C) Montreal Protocol
D) CITES

33. Which island province is known for its extensive mangrove forests, which are vital for protecting against
storm surges?
A) Palawan
B) Siargao
C) Leyte
D) Sulu

34. In 2023, environmentalists raised concerns about the reclamation projects in which coastal area in the
Philippines?
A) Manila Bay
B) Cebu Strait
C) Davao Gulf
D) Subic Bay

35. What initiative was launched in the Philippines in 2023 to reduce plastic use and promote recycling?
A) Plastic-Free Philippines
B) Circular Economy Initiative
C) Zero Waste Program
D) Plastic Bag Ban Act

36. What was the key focus of the 2023 Philippine Environment Month?
A) Sustainable farming
B) Water conservation
C) Forest rehabilitation
D) Climate change adaptation
37. In 2023, the Philippines' Energy Development Corporation launched a major project to promote the use
of which clean energy?
A) Solar
B) Geothermal
C) Wind
D) Hydroelectric

38. Which Philippine law aims to protect and conserve the country’s wildlife and their habitats?
A) Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act
B) Clean Air Act
C) Philippine Fisheries Code
D) National Environmental Awareness and Education Act

39. What is a major concern regarding the mining industry in the Philippines in 2023?
A) Water contamination
B) Deforestation
C) Displacement of indigenous peoples
D) All of the above

40. Which of the following regions in the Philippines is most vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate
change?
A) Metro Manila
B) Central Visayas
C) Eastern Visayas
D) Bicol Region

41. In 2023, which natural resource management program in the Philippines aims to protect watersheds
and river basins?
A) National Greening Program
B) River Basin Control Office
C) Integrated Water Resources Management Program
D) Philippine Watershed Initiative

42. Which law regulates the clean-up and prevention of pollution in Philippine waters?
A) Clean Water Act
B) Clean Air Act
C) National Integrated Protected Areas System Act
D) Fisheries Code

43. In 2023, the Philippine government promoted which crop as part of its reforestation and carbon
sequestration efforts?
A) Bamboo
B) Coconut
C) Sugarcane
D) Coffee

44. Which animal was recently listed as critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss in the
Philippines?
A) Philippine eagle
B) Philippine cockatoo
C) Palawan hornbill
D) Tamaraw

45. The Philippines is part of which international coalition aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
A) Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF)
B) ASEAN Environmental Partnership
C) Green Climate Fund
D) Ocean Conservancy

46. Which mangrove species is considered important for coastal protection in the Philippines?
 A) Rhizophora
B) Acacia
C) Narra
D) Mahogany

47. Which Philippine city is leading in the implementation of electric vehicles for public transportation as
part of its green initiative?
A) Baguio City
B) Iloilo City
C) Quezon City
D) Davao City

48. The Philippines' coral triangle is home to what percentage of the world’s coral species?
A) 15%
B) 25%
C) 33%
D) 50%

49. In 2023, a moratorium was placed on what type of environmentally destructive practice in Palawan?
A) Open-pit mining
B) Illegal logging
C) Dynamite fishing
D) Coral harvesting

50. In 2023, the DENR launched an initiative to create more ___ in urban areas to combat heat and
improve air quality.
A) Parks and green spaces
B) Renewable energy projects
C) Electric vehicle lanes
D) Community forests

KEY TO CORRECTION

1. A) Oil spill
2. A) Manila Bay
3. B) Taal Volcano
4. D) All of the above
5. C) Palawan pangolin
6. A) Plastic waste
7. A) Illegal logging
8. D) 75%
9. A) River dredging
10. C) Plastic pollution
11. A) Boracay
12. D) All of the above
13. B) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
14. B) Lumad
15. D) All of the above
16. D) All of the above
17. C) Mount Hamiguitan
18. B) Illegal logging
19. C) Transboundary haze pollution
20. B) Food insecurity
21. A) Philippine eagle
22. A) Droughts
23. C) National Greening Program
24. B) Vehicle emissions
25. D) Calamian Islands
26. D) Manila
27. C) 35%
28. A) Geothermal energy
29. D) All of the above
30. A) Crown-of-thorns starfish
31. A) Environmental conservation
32. C) Montreal Protocol
33. A) Palawan
34. A) Manila Bay
35. C) Zero Waste Program
36. D) Climate change adaptation
37. B) Geothermal
38. A) Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act
39. D) All of the above
40. C) Eastern Visayas
41. B) River Basin Control Office
42. A) Clean Water Act
43. A) Bamboo
44. B) Philippine cockatoo
45. A) Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF)
46. A) Rhizophora
47. B) Iloilo City
48. C) 33%
49. A) Open-pit mining
50. A) Parks and green spaces