Environmental Problems & Sustainability Chapter 1
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Questions and Answers

What is one principle of sustainability related to the support of life on Earth?

  • Solar Energy (correct)
  • Waste Management
  • Industrial Growth
  • Urban Development

    • Which of these best defines biodiversity?

  • The ability of organisms to evolve
  • The number of species only
  • The variety of organisms and natural systems they exist in (correct)
  • The total number of organisms in an ecosystem

    • What is meant by chemical cycling?

  • The use of chemicals in industrial processes
  • The manufacturing of synthetic chemicals
  • The redistribution of waste materials
  • The circulation of chemicals through organisms and the environment (correct)

    • Why is natural capital important for sustainability?

    <p>It includes resources and services that sustain life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the degradation of natural capital?

    <p>Using non-renewable resources at a faster rate than they are restored</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a point source of pollution?

    <p>Pollution released from a single identifiable source</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a core component of achieving sustainability?

    <p>Understanding ecological footprints</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the 'tragedy of the commons' refer to?

    <p>Exploiting commonly shared renewable resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors does the IPAT model use to determine environmental impact?

    <p>Population, Affluence, Technology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a cause of environmental problems?

    <p>Excessive wealth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is ecological footprint defined?

    <p>The biologically productive land and water required to support a population sustainably</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle is NOT associated with sustainability?

    <p>Economic growth at any cost</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an ecological deficit?

    <p>The condition when a population exceeds its ecological capacity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential scientific solution to pollution mentioned?

    <p>Preventing the dumping of wastes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the ecological footprint quantifies the biological land and water needed?

    <p>Renewable resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an action that might help in achieving an environmentally sustainable society?

    <p>Implementing and enforcing environmental laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one major consequence of growing affluence in many consumers' lifestyles?

    <p>Higher levels of consumption and waste</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'extreme poverty' refer to?

    <p>A situation where people are unable to meet their basic needs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the primary goal of companies in a capitalist system?

    <p>To maximize profits for owners or stockholders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which environmental worldview suggests that humans should manage the Earth mostly for their benefit?

    <p>Environmental stewardship</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three principles of an environmentally sustainable society?

    <p>Solar Energy, Biodiversity, Chemical Cycling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can a society reduce waste and pollution effectively?

    <p>By implementing stricter regulations on waste production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one belief associated with environmental wisdom?

    <p>Humans and nature are mutually dependent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes the exclusion of environmental costs from market prices?

    <p>It allows companies to maximize their profits without considering harm to the environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Environmental Science Overview

    • Studies interactions between humans and the Earth, addressing environmental issues and sustainability.
    • Aims to understand how life has persisted for over 3.5 billion years despite environmental changes.

    Principles of Sustainability

    • Sustainability Defined: Meeting present needs without jeopardizing future generations.
    • Solar Energy: Essential for heating the planet, photosynthesis, and electricity production; foundational for life.
    • Biodiversity: Encompasses the variety of organisms and ecosystems; provides essential free services to humanity.
    • Chemical Cycling: Involves the transfer of chemicals through the environment; crucial for maintaining air, water, soil, and food supplies.

    Key Components of Sustainability

    • Natural Capital: Refers to resources and services essential for life.
    • Degradation of Natural Capital: Occurs through rapid depletion of non-renewable resources and pollution.
    • Solutions: Emphasis on implementing environmental laws to manage pollution and resource use.

    Pollution Sources

    • Point Sources: Easily identifiable sources of pollution.
    • Nonpoint Sources: Diffuse sources that are harder to trace.

    Ecological Footprint

    • Represents the biologically productive area required to sustain population resource use and waste absorption.
    • Discusses the concept of ecological deficit, measuring the sustainability of lifestyles.

    Environmental Impact Model (IPAT)

    • Impact (I) is determined by the equation: I = P (Population) x A (Affluence) x T (Technology).

    Causes of Environmental Problems

    • Population Growth: Surging population leads to excessive consumption of resources and increased pollution.
    • Unsustainable Resource Use: High levels of affluence lead to overconsumption and wastefulness.
    • Poverty: Affects one in five individuals globally; relates to an inability to meet basic needs like food and shelter.
    • Excluding Environmental Costs: Companies often ignore environmental expenses in market pricing, focusing primarily on profit maximization.

    Environmental Worldviews

    • Planetary Management: Advocates for human-centered management of Earth for indefinite benefit.
    • Stewardship: Focuses on responsible management of resources with an aim to discourage environmental harm.
    • Environmental Wisdom: Emphasizes human dependence on nature and the importance of preserving ecosystems for all species.

    Characteristics of an Environmentally Sustainable Society

    • Greater reliance on renewable energy sources.
    • Protection and preservation of biodiversity.
    • Reduction of waste and pollution production.

    Conclusion

    • The chapter concludes with emphasis on the interconnectedness of the discussed principles, the necessity of sustainable practices, and continued education on environmental impacts.

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    Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers Chapter 1 on environmental problems, their causes, and the principles of sustainability. Students will explore the impact of ecological footprints and learn how to foster an environmentally sustainable society. Enhance your understanding of environmental science and our interactions with the earth.

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