Environmental Science Quiz

A complex and interconnected network of living organisms and their physical environment, characterized by a delicate balance.

The process by which the Earth's climate system changes over time due to factors like greenhouse gas emissions, leading to warmer temperatures and shifts in weather patterns.

The loss of entire species of plants and animals from the Earth, often due to human activities.

The depletion of coral reefs due to factors like pollution, rising ocean temperatures, and acidification, leading to the loss of vital marine habitats.

A global problem involving human activities having a negative impact on the Earth's ecosystems, posing a serious threat to human well-being and future generations.

A significant decrease in the abundance and variety of wildlife populations across the globe, as measured by the World Wildlife Federation and Zoological Society of London.

A global predicament where nations prioritize their own interests over international collaboration, creating barriers to addressing shared environmental challenges.

A widespread environmental issue involving the presence of tiny plastic particles in the oceans and other environments, posing hazards to marine life and potentially human health.

The decline in bee populations worldwide, linked to factors like pesticide use and habitat loss.

Gases like carbon dioxide that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a rise in global temperatures.

The gradual increase in Earth's average temperature, primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases.

Uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly, often fueled by dry vegetation and exacerbated by climate change.

Periods of below-average rainfall, leading to water scarcity and impacting ecosystems and agriculture.

Extreme weather events like hurricanes, cyclones, and hailstorms that are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.

The increasing occurrence and severity of natural disasters, linked to climate change and its impact on natural systems.

The cost of harming the environment, like polluting the air, is not reflected in the price of goods or services. This means people are not paying for the true cost of their actions.

Governments can use laws, regulations, or taxes to make polluters pay for the environmental damage they cause. This makes the cost of polluting visible and encourages people to choose more sustainable options.

A carbon tax is a fee imposed on the emission of greenhouse gases, making it more expensive to pollute and incentivizing the use of cleaner energy sources.

While carbon taxes can help reduce pollution and encourage cleaner energy use, they can also lead to higher prices for goods and services, impacting the economy.

Before a carbon tax, polluting the air by driving a car was essentially free, as the environmental damage was not reflected in the price of gasoline. However, with a carbon tax, a portion of the price of gas goes towards offsetting the pollution caused.

A carbon tax is a way to internalize the cost of environmental damage by making polluters pay for the harm their activities cause. This helps to create a more realistic reflection of the true cost of such actions.

The money collected from a carbon tax is typically used to fund environmental initiatives, such as research into cleaner energy technologies or supporting sustainable practices.

While some argue that carbon taxes hurt the economy by increasing costs, others emphasize that it ultimately leads to a more sustainable economy by incentivizing the adoption of cleaner technologies and reducing pollution.

The idea that our choices are shaped by prior decisions and historical events, creating a path that is difficult to change.

A theory that explains how people's moral values influence their political beliefs and behavior.

The moral foundation that focuses on caring for others, especially the vulnerable.

The moral foundation that emphasizes fairness, reciprocity, and justice in society.

Evolutionary Sociological Theory suggests that human behavior and social structures are influenced by biological and evolutionary processes.

This theory emphasizes the role of shared values and preferences in shaping a society's functioning.

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

This theory suggests that we are all born with certain natural instincts that guide our moral reasoning, but these can be influenced by social and cultural experiences.

The tendency to prioritize immediate benefits over long-term consequences, often leading to neglect of issues like climate change that seem distant or less urgent.

False or inaccurate information spread as fact, particularly about climate change, which can be difficult to combat due to online accessibility and confirmation bias.

The tendency to favor information confirming pre-existing beliefs and disregard contradictory evidence, often contributing to the spread of misinformation online.

Online spaces where individuals primarily encounter perspectives aligning with their own, reinforcing existing beliefs and hindering exposure to diverse viewpoints.

The tendency to be drawn to people who share similar beliefs and backgrounds, potentially limiting exposure to diverse perspectives, and reinforcing confirmation bias.

Paid professionals employed to promote specific agendas, often influencing public opinion and contributing to the spread of misinformation, particularly on climate change.

Creating the false impression that there is a debate on a scientifically established issue, like climate change, by presenting opposing viewpoints with equal weight and legitimacy.

The process of evaluating the credibility and motivations of sources, especially when encountering potentially biased information, to make informed judgments.

The concept that nation-states are socially constructed, not divinely ordained, with borders, names, and governance systems changing over time.

The idea that nation-states prioritize their interests over collective environmental good, even when actions harm the shared environment.

A situation where individuals or groups prioritize their own short-term interests over the long-term well-being of a shared resource, leading to its depletion.

Countries promote patriotism through shared symbols and practices like national anthems, pledges, and celebrations, fostering a sense of belonging and national identity.

The belief that individuals are primarily obligated to their nation-state, viewing themselves as citizens of that nation rather than a world citizen.

A sense of loyalty and devotion to one's country, often based on shared history, culture, and values.

The tendency to focus on the symbols and practices used to construct national identity, such as flags, anthems, and national holidays, to understand how they shape interactions and create meaning.

The act of prioritizing national interests over international cooperation, leading to a reluctance to address global environmental problems effectively.