QUIZ: Are You Climate Change Ready?

1. TRUE or FALSE: When you're outside during a heatwave, you should drink 1 cup of water every 15 minutes.(Required)

(A.) True

(B.) False

TRUE - Drink 1 cup every 15 minutes!

When working or being active in the heat, drink about one quart of water per hour or one cup every 15 minutes. Drink more water than usual and drink before you get thirsty. Avoid alcohol or liquids that have high amounts of sugar and/or caffeine. It is also important to eat regular meals that replace salt lost from sweating.

Learn more about preventing heat-related illness from the NJ Department of Health

2. TRUE or FALSE: If you are driving and approach a flooded road, you should immediately turn around and find another route.(Required)

(A.) True

(B.) False

TRUE - Turn around and find another route!

FEMA declared in 2004 that flooding is NJ's #1 natural hazard. Don’t drive through flood waters.
Each year, flooding causes more fatalities than any other thunderstorm-related hazard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of all drownings related to floods happen when a vehicle is driven into dangerous floodwaters.

Learn about Turn Around Don’t Drown® from the National Weather Service

3. When it rains, what pollutants can wash off the ground and contaminate surface and groundwater, causing harmful algal blooms?(Required)

(A.) Excess fertilizers on lawns.

(B.) Pet waste.

(C.) Soap from washing cars outdoors.

(D.) All of the above.

All of the above!

Harmful algal blooms can be caused by water pollutants, such as nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorous) and are worsened by climate change. When it rains, nutrients can be washed from the surface into the streams, rivers, and directly into lakes. These nutrients can promote eutrophication, or the over enrichment of nutrients in a waterbody. To help minimize contaminants in water:

Avoid fertilizing your lawn, especially when rain is forecasted
Pick up after your pets
Don’t wash cars at home
Ensure your septic system is properly functioning and pumped out frequently

Learn tips to prevent water pollution that may help cause HABs from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

4. Which of the following is NOT a way to prepare your home for drought conditions?(Required)

(A.) Choose drought-tolerant plants and use mulch to retain soil moisture.

(B.) Fix leaking faucets and toilets.

(C.) Collect rainwater in a rain barrel.

(D.) Cut grass short to 1".

Cutting the grass short to 1" is NOT a way to prepare!

Conserve water and prepare for drought conditions. Efficient water use in non-drought times may prevent the need for water restrictions during dry, hot weather.

Raise your lawnmower blade to at least 3 inches to promote deeper grass roots which hold water better.
Use native plants that need less water.
Mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and weeds.
Water flowers and landscaping with water harvested in a rain barrel connected to a downspout.
Only water plants in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.

Learn more water conservation tips for around your home

5. TRUE or FALSE: If the actual temperature is 90°F and the humidity is 80% the temperature will feel like 95°F.(Required)

(A.) True

(B.) False

FALSE - At 90°F and 80% humidity, it will feel like 113°F!

Know the heat index. The National Weather Service provides heat alerts which are based mainly on the heat index. The heat index takes into account heat and humidity and measures what the temperature feels like to the human body. When there is a heat alert, take precautions to avoid heat illness.

Learn more about heat alerts and heat index from the National Weather Service

6. Who is at elevated risk for heat-related illness?(Required)

(A.) Those who work outdoors.

(B.) Those with pre-existing health conditions.

(C.) Those pregnant or breastfeeding.

(D.) The old and young.

(E.) All of the above.

All of the above!

Heatwaves act as a threat multiplier. High temperatures put stress on the cardiovascular system, as the body works harder to cool itself down. Heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion increase with heat waves.

People most at risk for heat-related illness:

People older than 65
Outdoor workers
Infants and children
People who live alone
People without air conditioning
People with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and respiratory disease)
People on certain medications

Find places to escape the heat on Chill Out NJ

7. TRUE or FALSE: If you have a cell phone manufactured in the past few years, you will automatically receive the National Weather Service’s Wireless Emergency Alerts that can give you warnings and instructions for weather emergencies.(Required)

(A.) True

(B.) False

TRUE - If you have a cell phone bought in the past few years, you will automatically receive the National Weather Service’s Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Heed warnings for extreme weather. Follow any action advised by the emergency message. If you are unsure if your phone receives Wireless Emergency Alerts, contact your wireless provider for more information.

Wireless Emergency Alerts are sent for:

Tornado
Severe Thunderstorm (only when the damage threat is destructive)
Flash Flood (only when the damage threat is considerable or catastrophic)
Hurricane
Storm Surge
Extreme Wind
Dust Storm
Snow Squall
Tsunamis
Typhoon

Learn more about Wireless Emergency Alerts from the National Weather Service
Learn more about how to react to alerts and warnings from U.S. Department of Homeland Security

8. Which of the following is an effective way to protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes:(Required)

(A.) Use insect repellant recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control .

(B.) Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks and mosquitoes.

(C.) Tuck pants into boots or socks.

(D.) All of the above.

All of the above!

To prevent getting bitten by ticks and mosquitoes, practice these tips:

Use insect repellant recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control or the Environmental Protection Agency
Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks and mosquitoes
Tuck pants into boots or socks
Avoid potentially tick-infested habitats such as tall grass and shrubs
Dump standing water around your yard - standing water promotes mosquito breeding

Learn how to prevent tick bites and mosquito bites from US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

9. If a Harmful Algal Bloom sign is posted at a waterbody, it will list restrictions for:(Required)

(A.) Kayaking in the water

(B.) Wading and swimming in the water

(C.) Allowing pets in the water

(D.) Eating fish caught in the water

(E.) All of the above.

All of the above!

Avoid exposure to harmful algal blooms Follow the guidance from the posted signs at the water body. They have a color-coded alert index based on water monitoring results. Signs list recreational activities and restrictions due to the presence of harmful algal blooms. If you come into contact with affected water, rinse with fresh water immediately.

The signs will list restrictions for:

Swimming
Kayaking
Wading
Pets
Boating
Fishing
Consuming fish
Drinking the water

Learn tips to prevent illness from HABs in pets and people from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

10. TRUE or FALSE: Homes within a low or moderate flood risk area are five times more likely to experience flooding than a house fire over the next 30 years.(Required)

(A.) True

(B.) False

TRUE - Homes within a low or moderate flood risk area are five times more likely to experience flooding than a house fire over the next 30 years!

Understand local factors that can change the extent of flooding:

Increases in impervious surface
Changes to stream flow
Erosion and blockages in stream channels
Aging, poorly maintained, or failing infrastructure

Understand your flood risk:
To identify POTENTIAL flood risk on or near your property, use DEP's Flood Indicator Tool

To determine ACTUAL flood risk for at given property, contact:

A licensed professional engineer
Your municipality
DEP’s Division of Land Resource Protection

11. TRUE or FALSE: In New Jersey, 99% of forest fires are caused by lightning.(Required)

(A.) True

(B.) False

FALSE - In New Jersey, 99% of forest fires are human-caused - a careless act can burn thousands of acres.

Always be careful with fire

Never play with matches or lighters
Always watch your campfire
Make sure your campfire is completely out before leaving it

Ten tips to prevent wildfires from U.S. Department of the Interior

12. TRUE or FALSE: An “Ozone Action Day” is when the air quality is unhealthy and can have health impacts.(Required)

(A.) True

(B.) False

TRUE -“Ozone Action Day” is when the air quality is unhealthy and can have health impacts.

An Ozone Action Day is declared when the EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) predicts that ground-level ozone levels will be unhealthy for sensitive groups such as those with asthma, heart/lung problems, children and teens, and the elderly. AQI provides guidelines and recommendations for outdoor physical activity. Adjust level of outdoor activity based on air quality. .

Sign up for email with air quality forecasts from the Environmental Protection Agency You can also download the Apple or Andriod apps.