Environmental Ethics and Sustainability Quiz
45 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does Aldo Leopold's land ethic emphasize regarding the relationship between humans and the environment?

It emphasizes that humans should view themselves as members of the same community as the land and treat it ethically.

What is environmental justice (EJ) and why is it significant in the context of pollution?

Environmental justice advocates that poor and minority communities should not bear a disproportionate share of pollution and environmental hazards.

How does sustainability relate to the concept of natural capital?

Sustainability involves managing natural capital responsibly to ensure that resources are available for future generations.

List some sustainable practices that contribute to long-term ecological health.

<p>Sustainable practices include renewable energy use, soil conservation, pollution reduction, and recycling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenges does humanity face in achieving sustainable development?

<p>Challenges include growing population, poverty, and increasing standards of living that put pressure on resources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percent of the Earth's crust accounts for the geosphere?

<p>Less than 1%.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How deep is the Mariana Trench in miles?

<p>Approximately 6.9 miles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the atmospheric layer that contains 99% of the air and extends to what height?

<p>It extends to about 30 km.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What essential natural resource supports life and is becoming increasingly limited?

<p>Water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of values of nature mentioned?

<p>Productive value and aesthetic value.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the urgency behind protecting biodiversity according to the content?

<p>Species may become extinct due to rapid human activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of actions are needed to protect the environment?

<p>Individual efforts, public action, and government initiatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the development of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries important?

<p>They protect undisturbed areas of biodiversity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'environment' as described in the content?

<p>The environment is a complex set of physical, geographic, biological, social, cultural, and political conditions surrounding an individual or organism that determines its survival.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does environmental science differ from environmental studies?

<p>Environmental science focuses on applied scientific investigations related to human populations and environmental damage, while environmental studies emphasize values and human behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main categories that make up components of the environment?

<p>The two main categories are biotic components (living things) and abiotic components (non-living things).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider humans as part of the environment?

<p>Humans are part of nature, and our survival depends on the health and functioning of the planet, which makes our interactions significant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the negative impacts on natural systems mentioned in the content?

<p>The negative impacts include pollution, erosion, and species extinction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What interdisciplinary fields contribute to environmental science?

<p>Fields include biology, chemistry, politics, sociology, geology, agriculture, and economics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do environmental changes affect human health?

<p>Environmental changes such as pollution and habitat destruction threaten long-term human health and survival.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does environmental science primarily study?

<p>Environmental science studies how the natural world works and the interactions between the environment and humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'built environment'?

<p>The built environment refers to human-created living centers, including buildings and infrastructure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do renewable resources differ from non-renewable resources?

<p>Renewable resources can be replenished in a short period, while non-renewable resources, like oil and coal, can be depleted and are not naturally replenished within a human timescale.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'tragedy of the commons' as described by Garret Hardin?

<p>The 'tragedy of the commons' refers to the unregulated exploitation of shared resources leading to depletion, as individuals prioritize personal benefit over collective sustainability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Malthus, what must be controlled to prevent dire outcomes for humanity?

<p>Malthus argued that population growth must be controlled to prevent starvation, war, and disease from outstripping food production.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'ecological footprint'?

<p>The ecological footprint measures the environmental impact of a person or population, calculated as the amount of biologically productive land and water needed for resources and waste disposal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the term 'environment' in environmental science?

<p>The term 'environment' refers to the surroundings in which organisms live, encompassing both living and non-living elements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does human resource consumption currently compare to the Earth's sustainable capacity?

<p>Humans are using 30% more of the planet's resources than the Earth can sustainably provide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What lesson can be learned from the history of past civilizations like Easter Island?

<p>Past civilizations, such as those on Easter Island, demonstrate that environmental degradation can lead to the collapse of societies, emphasizing the importance of responsible resource management.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does environmental science demonstrate its interdisciplinary nature?

<p>Environmental science integrates knowledge from various fields such as biology, chemistry, economics, and ethics to address complex environmental issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What solutions are suggested for addressing the problem of resource depletion?

<p>Possible solutions include private ownership, voluntary organizations to enforce responsible use, and governmental regulations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is sustainable development and why is it important?

<p>Sustainable development is a method of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List two major pressures facing the global environment today.

<p>Two major pressures include climate change and habitat destruction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the scientific method play in environmental science?

<p>The scientific method is used to systematically study and analyze environmental phenomena through observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can recycling contribute to environmental sustainability?

<p>Recycling reduces waste, conserves natural resources, and minimizes energy consumption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of biodiversity in ecosystem health.

<p>Biodiversity enhances ecosystem resilience, stability, and productivity, allowing it to better withstand environmental stressors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym 'E-N-V-I-R-O-N-M-E-N-T' signify in the context of environmental science?

<p>It represents key concepts such as Earth, Natural resources, Vulnerable species, Interaction, Recycling, Organisms, Nutrients, Matter, Entropy, and Trophic level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of nature tourism in relation to human emotions and respect for nature?

<p>Nature tourism fosters a pleasurable experience and cultivates a deep respect and love for the natural environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do urban green spaces contribute to the psychological well-being of city dwellers?

<p>Urban green spaces enhance psychological and physical health, providing aesthetic value, peace, and tranquility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the 'option value' of nature?

<p>Option value refers to the potential for sustainable use of natural resources while preserving them for future generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define the philosophical perspective of anthropocentrism.

<p>Anthropocentrism posits that only humans have rights and that costs and benefits are evaluated based on their impact on people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ethical stance does biocentrism advocate regarding living things?

<p>Biocentrism holds that all life has ethical standing and opposes development that threatens living beings, regardless of economic benefits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the ecocentric viewpoint on environmental value.

<p>Ecocentrism values ecosystems and their interconnections, stressing the importance of preserving species, communities, and ecological systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the preservation ethic in environmentalism.

<p>The preservation ethic advocates for protecting unspoiled nature for its inherent value, promoting human happiness and fulfillment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the conservation ethic, and who is associated with it?

<p>The conservation ethic involves using natural resources wisely for the greatest good for the most people, and is associated with Gifford Pinchot.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture Information

  • Course number: DSMHT 103
  • Course title: Introduction to environment and ecosystem
  • Course subtitle: Introduction to Environmental Sciences
  • Instructor: Dr. Subrota K Saha
  • Instructor title: Professor
  • Instructor contact: 01711482872/[email protected]
  • Department: Department of Geology
  • University: University of Dhaka

Chapter Goals

  • Understand the meaning of "environment"
  • Recognize the importance of natural resources
  • Appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science
  • Understand the scientific method and how science operates
  • Identify pressures facing the global environment
  • Comprehend sustainability and sustainable development

Current Challenges

  • A shift in human thinking is needed to prevent further harm to the planet's life-support systems
  • 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Wangari Maathai highlighted this need

What is Environmental Science?

  • The systematic study of our environment and our place within it
  • The complexity of environmental problems necessitates drawing on many different fields of knowledge

What is Environment?

  • Definition: The complex set of physical, geographical, biological, social, cultural, and political conditions surrounding an individual or organism, ultimately determining its survival.
  • Includes all living and non-living factors affecting an organism or population throughout its life cycle.
  • Refers to everything around us.

Environment: Components

  • Living things: animals, plants, forests, fungi, etc.
  • Non-living things: continents, oceans, clouds, soil, rocks
  • Built environment: buildings, human-created living centers
  • Social relationships/institutions

Environmental Science: Nature of the Field

  • An interdisciplinary branch of science, investigating human population, resources, and pollution/disturbance-related impacts.
  • Incorporates multiple disciplines: biology, chemistry, politics, sociology, geology, agriculture, economics

How Does the Natural World Work?

  • Environmental science seeks to understand the intricate workings of the natural world.
  • The goal is to develop solutions to problems.
  • Environmental science is a highly interdisciplinary field drawing on natural and social sciences to understand the world.

Natural Resources

  • Renewable resources: sunlight, wind energy, wave energy, geothermal energy, fresh water, forest products, agricultural crops, soils
  • Non-renewable resources: crude oil, natural gas, coal, copper, aluminum, and other metals

Global Human Population Growth

  • Current human population exceeds 6.7 billion.
  • Population growth has been significantly influenced by agricultural and industrial revolutions.

Thomas Malthus and Population Growth

  • Malthus predicted population growth would outpace food production, leading to starvation, war, and disease.
  • Neo-Malthusians, like Paul and Anne Ehrlich, emphasize the disastrous effects of uncontrolled growth.

Resource Depletion

  • Unregulated exploitation leads to resource depletion.
  • Resource scarcity and lack of responsibility result from lack of individual incentives for resource preservation.

Ecological Footprint

  • Measures the environmental impact of a person or population.
  • Considers the biologically productive land and water required to support a given lifestyle.
  • Humans have exceeded the planet's capacity to support their current lifestyle (overshoot).

Environmental History

  • Civilizations have fallen after depleting resources.
  • The environment influences human survival/behavior.
  • The Easter Island model serves as a cautionary tale regarding unsustainable practices.

Planet Earth: Components

  • Geosphere (inner Earth): crust (thin layer), mantle, and core.
  • Hydrosphere (water): oceans
  • Atmosphere (air): major component of our life support
  • Biosphere (living things/interconnected): life and organisms

Natural Capital Importance and Limits

  • Natural capital is vital for human survival.
  • Natural resources are limited and are constantly shrinking.
  • Human consumption impacts the Earth's natural capital.

Values of Nature

  • Productive value: Provides resources for biotechnology and industrial use
  • Aesthetic and recreational value: Beauty and enjoyment from natural environments (e.g., parks or wildlife viewing)
  • Option value: The value of options for use/enjoyment of nature in the future

Ethical Perspectives

  • Anthropocentrism: views humans as the central focus of ethical consideration
  • Biocentrism: considers all living things to have inherent worth, independent of human needs
  • Ecocentrism: values the entire ecosystem, stressing interconnectedness

Ethical Values in Environmental Conservation

  • Preservation ethic: nature should be preserved in its current state for its inherent value.
  • Conservation ethic: using natural resources efficiently and sustainably for the most benefit to humans.
  • Land ethic: humans are part of a larger community, including the land, and should strive to maintain ecological integrity.

Environmental Justice

  • Disparities in exposure to environmental hazards between the poor and marginalized groups.
  • Significant environmental injustices persist despite progress.
  • The US frequently exports/disposes waste in poorer countries.

Sustainability

  • The ability of Earth to support human and other organisms sustainably into the future.
  • Includes maintaining natural resources for future generations.
  • Addressing current human impact on the environment.

Sustainable Solutions

  • Sustainable solutions are needed to address current environmental challenges.
  • Solutions, like renewable energy, can simultaneously meet human needs and protect environmental integrity.

Future Challenges

  • Factors affecting the future: population growth, increased living standards, growing consumerism, international cooperation, economic factors

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts of environmental ethics, sustainability, and natural capital. Explore the importance of protecting biodiversity, environmental justice, and sustainable practices. This quiz covers various aspects of humans' relationship with the environment and the challenges in achieving sustainability.

More Like This

Environmental Ethics Quiz
47 questions

Environmental Ethics Quiz

SufficientCamellia avatar
SufficientCamellia
Environmental Ethics Approaches
10 questions

Environmental Ethics Approaches

TruthfulArtInformel5102 avatar
TruthfulArtInformel5102
Environmental Ethics Overview
40 questions

Environmental Ethics Overview

AdvantageousBowenite1432 avatar
AdvantageousBowenite1432
Environmental Science Quiz
48 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser