Environmental Crisis and Concerns 1992

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Questions and Answers

According to Cooper et al. (1993), what is the term that should be used instead of carrying capacity?

Saturation Limits (correct)

Acceptable Damage

Environmental Protection

Tourist Presence

What does the term 'saturation limits' refer to?

The maximum number of tourists a destination can handle before negative impacts occur.

The level of tourist presence that is acceptable to both tourists and hosts. (correct)

The economic benefits a destination can receive from tourism.

The level of tourist presence that is sustainable over future time periods.

What is the main reason why carrying capacity is considered a fuzzy concept?

It is difficult to predict the long-term impacts of tourism.

It is difficult to measure the environmental impacts of tourism.

It is difficult to define the needs of both tourists and hosts.

It is difficult to determine what constitutes 'acceptable' damage. (correct)

Why does the World Tourism Organisation consider carrying capacity to be fundamental to environmental protection and sustainable development?

It helps to ensure that tourism does not exceed the capacity of the environment. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a reason why the carrying capacity concept has been embraced widely?

It provides a clear understanding of the environment's ability to accommodate change. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Brundtland Report's perspective on carrying capacity?

It is a fundamental concept in sustainable development. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the passage?

The carrying capacity concept is a useful tool for managing tourism. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of the carrying capacity concept?

It is difficult to determine the maximum number of tourists a destination can handle. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of ecotourism, as defined by Fennell?

It emphasizes experiencing and learning about nature, with a focus on low impact and local involvement. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the USAID-funded project in the context of the dwarf lemur's habitat?

It promotes sustainable tourism activities by training locals as guides and hospitality professionals. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Ranomafana National Park considered important for lemur conservation?

It provides a protected environment for the dwarf lemur and other lemur species. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What do the terms ‘green tourism’, ‘nature tourism’, and ‘ecotourism’ have in common?

They all emphasize sustainable practices and responsible travel in natural areas. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What potential benefit of tourism is highlighted in the text?

Tourism can contribute to the economic development of local communities while protecting natural environments. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does the text suggest is related to the definition of ecotourism?

There is no clear consensus on the definition of ecotourism, leading to variations in interpretation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to King and Stewart, what is a key element of an ideal ecotourism model?

A collaborative effort between businesses, government, and tourists to promote sustainable relationships with the environment and local communities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of half the National Park entrance fees being used to fund the USAID project?

It highlights the value of tourism revenue in supporting conservation initiatives and local development. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor contributing to the growth of green politics in the 1990s?

The influence of the red–green coalition in Germany (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the influence of environmental politicians during the first decade of the new millennium?

Their influence diminished, especially after the global financial crisis (D) Signup and view all the answers

How many different definitions of sustainable development were proposed by the early 1990s?

Over 70 (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which group argues that the concept of sustainable development is a failed project?

The post-development school (D) Signup and view all the answers

What has significantly influenced the emergence of sustainable development within policy making?

Growing environmental consciousness (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary critiques of the concept of sustainable development?

It lacks clear definitions and practical relevance (D) Signup and view all the answers

The shift in Western politics regarding environmental issues has been influenced by which factor?

The environmental crisis and popular concern (B) Signup and view all the answers

Sustainable development has transcended which boundaries?

Disciplinary boundaries of social and natural sciences (D) Signup and view all the answers

What significant event took place in 1992 that focused on sustainable development?

The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the Earth Summit as highlighted by environmentalists?

The continued extinction of numerous plant and animal species (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental challenge was particularly concerning by the early 1970s?

Overfishing leading to ecological disasters (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which pollutant was specifically mentioned as having effects that transcended national boundaries during the 1970s?

Radioactive fallout from nuclear tests (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a major focus of the proposals presented at the Earth Summit?

Reconciling interests among governments, industries, and conservationists (D) Signup and view all the answers

What event in 1972 preceded the Earth Summit and also highlighted environmental concerns?

The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (A) Signup and view all the answers

What publication emerged from the UNCHE in 1972, reflecting the environmentalist perspective?

Only One Earth (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental issue was highlighted by the acidification of certain ecosystems during the 1970s?

Impacts of pollution crossing national borders (C) Signup and view all the answers

What has tourism redefined about its industry according to Kousis?

Focusing on increasing product variety (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a negative impact of tourism?

Promotion of biodiversity (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Mieczkowski, what role does the natural environment play in tourism?

A critical resource for tourism (D) Signup and view all the answers

What complicates the assessment of environmental changes due to tourism?

Changing biophysical conditions and socio-economic factors (D) Signup and view all the answers

What underlying issue does the content suggest tourism's damage is a manifestation of?

Economic profit and growth focus (A) Signup and view all the answers

What has occurred in Kenya's Amboseli National Park alongside the growth in tourism?

A rise in human population and land use diversification (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Cohen assert regarding the environmental impacts of tourism?

They can trivialize local cultures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is mentioned as influencing environmental deterioration in tourism?

Socio-political pressures (B) Signup and view all the answers

What environmental issue is highlighted as a common negative impact of tourism?

Excessive water consumption (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of sewage generated by tourists in the Caribbean is treated?

10% (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of the Eselenkei Conservation Project mentioned in the content?

Economic benefits for the local community (A) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of tourism development primarily contributes to the degradation of ecosystems?

Lack of awareness and attitudinal prerequisites (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what characterizes the mass versus alternative tourism debate?

Commercial focus versus environmental conservation (D) Signup and view all the answers

How much water is consumed daily by the proposed tourist facilities in Mexico as per Keefe (1995)?

525,000 gallons (B) Signup and view all the answers

What environmental concern is associated with tourism in areas that lack sewage processing infrastructure?

Sewage discharges into natural water bodies (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the adopted image of tourism as an 'extractive industrial activity' imply?

Tourism is fundamentally harmful to the environment and development (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Environmental Crisis

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 drew attention to sustainable development.
Agenda 21 was a myriad of proposals to reconcile conflicts between governments, industries, and conservationists.
The conference generated optimism among wealthy nations, but environmentalists voiced concern about species extinction, desertification, and deforestation.
World population increased by 3.3 million during the 12-day summit.

Environmental Concerns in the 1970s and 1980s

Pollution from nuclear tests, acidification of lakes, and presence of DDT were global concerns.
Pollution crossed national borders.
The 'effluence of affluence' highlighted global ecological consequences.
Increasing incidence of floods, drought, and famine fuelled public concern.
The death toll from natural catastrophes multiplied six-fold in the 1970s.
The Gaia Hypothesis proposed the planet as a single homoeostatic entity, susceptible to human disruption.

Neo-Malthusian Response

The rise in public environmental awareness during the 1970s revived Malthusian fears.
Population growth was identified as a primary environmental concern, with implications for resource depletion.
Authors like Paul Ehrlich expressed pessimism about societal and environmental collapse.
Books like The Population Bomb and The Limits to Growth popularized these concerns.

Sustainable Development and Tourism

The rise of environmentalism in the 1970s, particularly within the context of tourism development, led to increased scrutiny of its ecological impacts.
Mass tourism and its often unbridled growth became a subject of critique by commentators.
Some publications highlighted the trade-offs between tourism development and environmental sustainability.
Environmentalists challenged the 'smokeless industry' image of tourism.
Some argued that tourism could be a tool for both development and conservation.

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Description

This quiz explores the environmental crisis highlighted during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. It delves into major topics such as sustainable development, species extinction, and the ecological impacts of pollution from the 1970s and 1980s. Test your knowledge on the key issues that shaped environmental discussions during these critical decades.