Questions and Answers
Ecological footprint and environmental ______ are interconnected concepts.
degradation
Land and soil degradation refers to the deterioration of the quality and ______ of the earth’s land surfaces.
productivity
One cause of land degradation is ______.
deforestation
Water degradation involves the contamination or ______ of water bodies.
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One major cause of water pollution is industrial and municipal ______ discharge.
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Economic sustainability focuses on maintaining and improving economic well- ______ over the long term.
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Plastic pollution is one of the ______ of water degradation.
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The practice of regulating natural resources to meet the needs of society is called ______.
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Atmospheric degradation refers to the presence of harmful substances or pollutants in the air, which can lead to degradation of air ______.
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Social sustainability recognizes the importance of community engagement, participatory decision-making, and the empowerment of ______ groups.
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Environmental sustainability aims to protect and restore the natural environment, ensuring the long-term health and functioning of ______.
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Ecological Footprint measures the amount of 'biologically productive' land or water that enables the population to ______ itself.
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Environmental Degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and ______.
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According to the ecological footprint model, to sustain indefinitely the world’s current population and average renewable resource use per person, we would need the equivalent of ______ planet earths.
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Global Hectare (gha) is a measure of the ecological footprints of people or activities and ______ of the earth.
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The per capita ecological footprint is the average ecological footprint of an ______ in a given country or area.
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Study Notes
Sustainability and Environmental Degradation
- Ecological footprint measures human impact on the environment, while environmental degradation is the deterioration due to human activities.
- Sustainability involves managing natural resources to meet societal needs and maintaining the environment for future generations.
- Environmental degradation has three primary forms: land and soil degradation, water degradation, and atmospheric degradation.
Types of Environmental Degradation
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Land and Soil Degradation
- Deterioration of the quality and productivity of land surfaces, soil, and ecosystems.
- Causes include:
- Deforestation
- Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides
- Soil erosion
- Desertification
- Land pollution
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Water Degradation
- Contamination or degradation of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
- Causes include:
- Industrial and municipal waste discharge
- Agricultural runoff
- Oil spills
- Marine debris
- Plastic pollution
-
Atmospheric Degradation
- Presence of harmful substances in the air affecting its quality.
- Sources include:
- Fossil fuel combustion
- Industrial emissions
- Agricultural activities
Principles of Sustainability
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Economic Sustainability
- Focuses on maintaining and improving long-term economic well-being.
-
Social Sustainability
- Emphasizes community engagement and decision-making, empowering marginalized groups.
-
Environmental Sustainability
- Aims to protect and restore ecosystems, ensuring their long-term health and functioning.
Ecological Footprint
- Calculates the amount of productive land and water needed for resource consumption and waste absorption, based on current technology.
- Used to estimate carrying capacity for humans and supports sustainable population growth.
- Average ecological footprint per person globally is approximately 2.3 hectares of biologically productive land and sea.
- Global Hectare (gha) measures ecological footprints and biocapacity of the Earth.
- To sustain the current global population and average resource use, about 1.3 Earths worth of resources would be required.
Biocapacity
- Refers to ecosystems' capacity to generate resources and absorb waste.
- Essential for assessing sustainability and determining resource availability for populations.
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Description
This quiz examines the concepts of ecological footprints and various types of environmental degradation. Students will explore issues such as habitat destruction, wildlife extinction, and pollution. Understanding these interconnected topics is crucial for fostering sustainability and preserving our environment.
