Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each the numbered blanks (from 10 to 14). The evidence that humans are causing global warming is strong, but the question of what to do about it remains controversial. Economics, sociology, and politics are all important factors in planning for the future. (10) _______ we stopped emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs) today, the Earth would still warm by another degree Fahrenheit or so. ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each the numbered blanks (from 10 to 14).

The evidence that humans are causing global warming is strong, but the question of what to do about it remains controversial. Economics, sociology, and politics are all important factors in planning for the future.

(10) _______ we stopped emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs) today, the Earth would still warm by another degree Fahrenheit or so. But what we do from today forward (11) ______ a big difference. Depending on our choices, (12) ______ scientists predict that the Earth could eventually warm by as little as 2.5 degrees or as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

A commonly cited goal is to (13) ______ GHG concentrations around 450-550 parts per million (ppm), or about twice pre-industrial levels. This is the point at (14) _______ many believe the most damaging impacts of climate change can be avoided. Current concentrations are about 380 ppm, which means there isn't much time to lose. According to the IPCC, we'd have to reduce GHG emissions by 50% to 80% of what they're on track to be in the next century to reach this level.

(Adapted from VSTEP TESTS)

(10) _______ we stopped emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs) today, the Earth would still warm by another degree Fahrenheit or so