GE 15 – Environmental Science Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which field of study helps in understanding energy production's effects on populations?

Economics

Political Science

Urban Planning

Ecology (correct)

What does the term 'environment' encompass?

Both natural and built environments (correct)

Only the natural surroundings of organisms

Only human-made structures and cultures

Only social interactions among people

Which discipline analyzes how urban designs can reduce energy use?

Sociology

Ecology

Engineering

Urban Planning (correct)

What is the Latin origin of the word 'science'?

Scientia Signup and view all the answers

Which field examines policies that lead to sustainable solutions?

Political Science Signup and view all the answers

What importance does Sociology hold in environmental studies?

It analyzes how people adopt new ideas Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Environmental Science considers the production of better batteries?

Engineering Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary motivations for the establishment of the Coal Smoke Abatement Society in 1898?

To combat excessive air pollution from coal combustion. Signup and view all the answers

Which event led directly to the creation of the Clean Air Act in 1956?

The Great Smog of London in 1952. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Green Revolution in Agriculture, initiated in 1966, primarily aim to address?

The negative impacts of pesticides and fertilizers on the environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organizations was created in 1948 to protect nature?

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Signup and view all the answers

During which decade did the Modern Environmental Movement begin to significantly emerge?

1960-1970 Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of establishing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970?

To monitor and regulate environmental impacts of human activities. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of industrialization after World War II?

Increased environmental degradation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups was established in 1971 to campaign against nuclear testing?

Greenpeace Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of environmental ethics?

The moral relationships between humans and the environment Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical concept reflects the idea of expanding moral value over time?

Ethical extensions Signup and view all the answers

What triggered public debates on the ethics of fishing in 2004?

Research showing that fish can feel pain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes intrinsic value in the context of environmental ethics?

An inherent right to exist regardless of utility Signup and view all the answers

In ancient Greece, who was granted moral value within their community?

Only adult male citizens Signup and view all the answers

What does moral status refer to in the context of environmental ethics?

The ethical treatment of all living beings Signup and view all the answers

How did societal views on ethics evolve concerning slavery?

They moved towards the belief that slavery is unethical. Signup and view all the answers

Which underlying concept influences our decisions about natural resources?

Underlying worldviews and ethical assumptions Signup and view all the answers

What is the main threat to global biodiversity discussed?

Population expansion Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the system of binomial nomenclature?

Carolus Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ranks is the most general in the taxonomic hierarchy?

Domain Signup and view all the answers

What may happen to half of all species on Earth in the next century due to current threats?

They will become extinct Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a benefit humans gain from biodiversity?

Entertainment Signup and view all the answers

What is taxonomy primarily concerned with?

Classifying all living things Signup and view all the answers

What role do cattle play in their ecosystem according to the content?

They replenish soil nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What classification system did Linnaeus develop?

The taxonomic hierarchy Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes tropical savannahs compared to grasslands?

They have thin tree cover. Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation do many plants in tropical savannahs possess to survive dry conditions?

Long-lived roots that seek deep groundwater. Signup and view all the answers

How much rainfall characterizes a desert?

Less than 30 cm annually. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is common in desert vegetation?

Thick epidermal layers to minimize water loss. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates temperate grasslands from tropical grasslands?

Temperate grasslands can exceed two-meter tall vegetation in humid areas. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of desert plants?

They blossom and seed rapidly after rainfall. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the climate conditions of temperate grasslands?

A transition climate between deserts and forests. Signup and view all the answers

What type of plants primarily compose temperate grasslands?

Diverse grasses and flowering herbaceous plants. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Environmental Science Study Notes

This SIM/SDL manual is a draft version only, not for reproduction and distribution outside its intended use.
It is for students officially enrolled in the course.
Revisions of the manual are expected.
The course/subject is GE 15: Environmental Science.
The teacher's name is Hazel G. Carreon, PhD.
Other associated teachers are Christian Dell A. Gentallan, Jason Ben R. Paragamac, and Ronnel P. Senining.
The course coordinator's email/phone number is not provided.

Course Outline GE 15 - Environmental Science

The course is a 3-unit, blended (online and face-to-face) lecture.
The course material covers inland and marine atmospheric systems and human dimensions potentially influencing the global cycle and processes.
The course material will cover how environment, economy, and social interaction form communities and an ecosystem.
The course will study environmental disciplines such as chemistry, earth sciences, biology, mathematics, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
The course will cover atmospheric, geophysical, oceanic, biological, and social science elements of holistic environmental study.
Students should understand how environmental science works and human-made ecosystems.
The course includes sustainable and unsustainable environmental practices, along with their consequences, and the development and enforcement of sustainable environmental policies.
The course will cover international commitments of developed, developing, and developed countries toward a safe and sustainable future.

Week 1-3 Unit Learning Outcomes

Students should identify the nature and scope of environmental science.
Basic concepts and principles of environmental science will be covered.
Theories of environmental science are part of this section.

Metalanguage

Essential terms associated with environmental science are defined in this section.
Understanding the typical frame of natural sciences and social influences related to quality of life and sustainability is emphasized.
Ecological problems, implications of rapid population growth, and the connection between people and the environment are also covered.

Key Concepts and Principles

Environment: A place with various aspects (biological, physical, and natural).
Science: Systematized and organized body of knowledge about the universe obtained through testable experiments.
Environmental Science: Interdisciplinary field integrating multiple disciplines like physical, biological, and social sciences to solve environmental issues and understand the environment.
Ecology: The study of interactions between organisms and their environment (biotic and abiotic).
Chemistry: Study of matter, properties, and interactions.
Biodiversity: Variety of living organisms present in the environment.
Habitat: Area where a specific organism lives.
Sustainability: The ability of a system to maintain itself for an extended period.
Ethics: Evaluation of right and wrong actions related to the treatment of the environment.
Ecosystem: The system of interacting organisms and physical environment.
Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
Food Chain: Linear sequence of energy transfer.
Food Web: Interconnecting food chains.

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Description

This quiz covers key aspects of the GE 15 course in Environmental Science, including workload, course structure, attendance requirements, and credit value. It also explores the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies and the importance of sociology in understanding environmental issues.