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Questions and Answers
When birth rates equal death rates, what numerical value represents the amount of population growth?
1.06%
How is population growth rate defined?
The change in population size over time
What event 10,000 years ago resulted in a dramatic growth spurt in global human population size?
Agricultural revolution
Can you give some examples of negative outcomes that result from increases in human population?
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How does overconsumption in developed countries, such as the United States, affect countries in other regions, such as Asia?
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Explain at least three ways to create a sustainable city.
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What factors lead to urban areas being environmentally unfriendly?
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What is the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification?
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What is meant by the term sustainable?
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What are ecosystem services?
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Why would nutrient cycling be considered such a valuable ecosystem service to humans?
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What purpose does an ecological footprint serve?
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What does the IPAT equation estimate?
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What is cradle-to-cradle management?
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What is the chemical formula for ozone?
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What part of the atmosphere is the majority of ozone found?
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Why should we care about ozone?
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What was the major cause of the depletion of the ozone layer?
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What type of policy is needed when an environmental problem extends across national boundaries?
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Define the term 'transboundary problem' and give an example.
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Define 'environmental policy'.
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What does an environmental impact statement (EIS) accomplish?
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What is the order of the policy decision-making process?
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Which factor(s) influence U.S. environmental policy decision making?
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What is political lobbying?
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How is the term 'waste' defined?
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What does the law of conservation of matter state?
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What happens to the majority of municipal solid waste produced in the United States?
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What is the cheapest and most common method of handling solid waste in developing countries?
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What is hazardous waste?
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How would you classify choosing to buy goods with minimal packaging?
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What are the four Rs to help an individual limit waste production?
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Study Notes
Population Growth
- When birth rates equal death rates, the global growth rate is 1.06%.
- The agricultural revolution, starting approximately 10,000 years ago, caused a dramatic increase in global human population size.
- The Industrial Revolution, a more recent event, also significantly impacted human population growth.
- Negative consequences of human population growth include land degradation, water supply depletion, water pollution, and environmental degradation.
- Overconsumption in developed nations, such as the United States, affects water supply in less developed countries. This is because pollutants end up in water sources making the water undrinkable.
- We currently use water at 38% of the rate it is replenished.
Sustainable Cities
- To create sustainable cities, we can implement strategies like:
- Redirecting storm water to plants
- Creating rooftop gardens
- Developing walkable cities
- Offering public transportation options
- Urban areas are often environmentally unfriendly due to factors like sewage overflow, traffic congestion, food importation, and waste exportation.
Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
- Bioaccumulation is the buildup of substances within a single organism.
- Biomagnification occurs when these substances move up the food chain as one organism consumes another.
Sustainability
- Sustainability refers to the ability to continue a process indefinitely.
Ecosystem Services
- Ecosystem services are essential ecological processes that enable life on Earth.
- Nutrient cycling is a valuable ecosystem service because it reduces waste and conserves energy.
Ecological Footprint
- The ecological footprint quantifies the impact humans have on the environment.
- The IPAT equation, which estimates a population's ecological footprint, considers impact as a product of:
- Population
- Technology
- Affluence
Cradle-to-Cradle Management
- Cradle-to-cradle management involves considering the entire life cycle of a product, from raw materials to final disposal or recycling.
Ozone
- The chemical formula for ozone is O3.
- Ozone is primarily found in the stratosphere.
- Ozone shields Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
- The major cause of ozone layer depletion is the release of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Environmental Policy
- Environmental policy provides guidelines to protect and restore the natural environment.
- Transboundary problems affect everyone regardless of national boundaries. Examples include acid rain.
- An Environmental Impact statement (EIS) outlines the positive and negative effects of a proposed action.
Policy Decision-Making Process
- The policy decision-making process follows these steps:
- Identify a problem
- Consider options
- Formulate a policy
- Adopt the policy
- Implement the policy
- Evaluate the policy
Factors Influencing US Environmental Policy
- US environmental policy decisions are influenced by various factors:
- Industry lobbyists
- Scientific research
- Congressional committees
Lobbying and Environmental Policy
- Lobbying involves attempts by groups or individuals to influence government decisions.
- Lobbying can impact policy decisions by giving power to individual interests and providing education.
Waste and Waste Management
- "Waste" is a human term used to describe discarded items.
- The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed; it simply changes form.
- In the United States, the majority of municipal solid waste is disposed of in landfills.
- Open dumps are the cheapest and most common method of handling solid waste in less developed countries.
- Hazardous waste is classified as toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive, or radioactive.
The Four Rs
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To limit waste production, individuals can practice the "Four Rs":
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycle
- Rethink (or Refuse)
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Choosing to buy goods with minimal packaging is an example of reducing waste.
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Description
Explore the relationship between population growth and sustainable urban development. This quiz covers historical impacts on human population size, environmental challenges, and innovative strategies for creating sustainable cities. Test your knowledge on these critical modern issues.