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Questions and Answers
What did Garrett Hardin say is the main difficulty in solving environmental problems?
Conflict between short-term interest and long-term interest.
What distinguishes a developing country from a developed country?
Many people involved in agriculture.
What is the root of most environmental problems in developed countries?
The excessive use of natural resources.
What is an ecological footprint?
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What does sustainability mean?
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What is ecology?
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What is physics?
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What is the law of supply and demand?
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Earth is unable to dispose of waste or take on new supplies because it is considered a __________________________.
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What is pollution?
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What is chemistry?
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What is agriculture?
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What is an ecological footprint?
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What is a natural resource?
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What are social sciences?
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What is earth science?
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Which organization has classified countries as developing or developed?
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List two developed countries.
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Developed countries often have...
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Developing countries often have...
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What type of economy does a developed country have?
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What type of government does a developing country have?
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How do social support systems of developed countries differ from those of developing countries?
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What are some renewable resources?
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What are some non-renewable resources?
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What are some activities of hunter-gatherers that changed the environment?
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Why did populations concentrate in smaller areas during the agricultural revolution?
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Farms are to hunting and gathering as...
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Why are resources like air and water at risk?
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What five types of science are relevant to environmental studies?
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Why is the world's loss of biodiversity a concern?
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What are the types of pollution?
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What are three factors used to compare developed and developing countries?
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What factor affects environmental problems and the number of choices a society can make?
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Study Notes
Environmental Science Key Concepts
- Garrett Hardin identified the primary challenge in solving environmental issues as the conflict between short-term interests and long-term environmental health.
- Developed countries are characterized by a smaller percentage of the population involved in agriculture compared to developing countries.
- Most environmental issues in developed nations stem from excessive consumption of natural resources.
Ecological Concepts
- Ecological Footprint: Measures the environmental impact of individuals or communities, quantified by the land required to support their natural resource use.
- Sustainability: Refers to maintaining ecosystem health over time, ensuring resources are available for future generations.
- Ecology: The scientific study of interactions among living organisms and their environments.
Scientific Disciplines
- Physics: Focuses on the principles governing matter and energy interactions.
- Chemistry: Examines chemicals and their interactions within the environment.
- Earth Science: Studies non-living systems of the Earth and the planet in its entirety.
- Social Sciences: Investigates human population dynamics and societal factors.
Economic and Resource Concepts
- Law of Supply and Demand: Economic principle stating that higher demand leads to increased value of goods and services.
- The Earth is viewed as a closed system, meaning it cannot efficiently dispose of waste nor adopt new resources.
- Natural Resource: Materials from the environment used by humans, including water, minerals, and forests.
Country Classifications
- The United Nations categorizes nations as either developing or developed based on economic and social metrics.
- Examples of developed countries include the United States and Japan, which typically exhibit higher incomes and slower population growth.
- Developing countries are marked by lower incomes and faster population growth rates.
Environmental Impact and Challenges
- Pollution is defined as harmful changes to the environment due to waste, chemicals, noise, or radiation.
- Hunter-gatherers historically altered their environments negatively through overhunting practices.
- Agricultural communities arose as populations concentrated in smaller areas during the agricultural revolution, placing greater pressure on natural resources.
Resource Sustainability
- Renewable resources include materials like paper, soil, and organic products, while non-renewable resources encompass finite materials like coins and fossil fuels.
- Factors leading to the depletion of resources such as air and water include pollution from industrial activities.
Biodiversity and Environmental Metrics
- The global decline in biodiversity poses risks to human survival, as we rely on various organisms for essential resources like food and oxygen.
- Pollution is categorized into biodegradable and non-degradable types, impacting ecosystems differently.
Societal Factors and Environmental Choices
- Key metrics to compare developed and developing nations involve life expectancy, population growth rates, and energy utilization.
- The unequal distribution of wealth significantly influences environmental issues and the spectrum of societal choices available.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapter 1 of Environmental Science. This quiz includes important terms and definitions related to environmental problems and the differences between developed and developing countries. Challenge yourself and see how well you understand the fundamental issues in environmental science.
