Sustainability and Climate Change Quiz
48 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What best defines sustainability?

  • Using resources at a rapid pace to grow the economy.
  • The possibility that human and other forms of life will flourish forever. (correct)
  • Meeting the needs of the present by depleting natural resources.
  • Maintaining current living standards without considering future generations.

Which of the following is NOT one of the three pillars of sustainability?

  • Cultural (correct)
  • Social
  • Economic
  • Environmental

Which of the following reasons indicates the need for sustainability?

  • To maintain the status quo in agricultural practices.
  • To promote rapid industrial growth.
  • To increase dependency on fossil fuels.
  • To ensure water security and mitigate global warming. (correct)

What is a consequence of human activities that contribute to climate change?

<p>Not being sustainable as they alter natural reliance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What statement best describes the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

<p>Goals aimed at transforming the world for a sustainable future. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does climate change challenge sustainability efforts?

<p>It creates obstacles in finding viable sustainable solutions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key roles of sustainable development in relation to climate change?

<p>To mitigate and reduce the adverse effects of climate change. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the term 'climate change'?

<p>A long-term alteration in average weather conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of genetically modified (GM) apples?

<p>They are non-browning, reducing waste. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant reduction in land usage did GMOs provide in 2020?

<p>57.8 million acres (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key purpose of golden rice?

<p>To provide an additional source of beta-carotene. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by water security?

<p>Accessibility of clean water and its utilization by individuals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential benefit of the Nile dam project for Sudan?

<p>Expanding agricultural production through flood regulation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do sponge cities in China manage stormwater?

<p>Through increased green infrastructure practices. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic function of ice stupas in Ladakh?

<p>They freeze water using gravity and cold air. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between climate-resilient water management and water security?

<p>Climate-resilient management ensures a steady supply of clean water. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Montreal Protocol?

<p>To protect the ozone layer by phasing out harmful substances. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which achievement is associated with the Montreal Protocol?

<p>Phased out 98% of ozone-depleting substances by 2019. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of the Montreal Protocol's implementation?

<p>The Antarctic ozone hole could have been larger without its intervention. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What important definition was established in the Brundtland Report?

<p>Sustainable development. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event was influenced by the publication of Our Common Future?

<p>The convening of the Earth Summit in 1992. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact has the Montreal Protocol had on the global climate system?

<p>It has significantly contributed to climate protection. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was discovered about the ozone layer in 1974?

<p>There were significant decreases in ozone concentrations over Antarctica. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

By how much has the Antarctic ozone hole shrunk since 2000?

<p>4 million km². (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main failures highlighted during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002?

<p>Inadequate progress on time-bound targets (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a significant success at the Rio+10 Summit?

<p>Access to information, participation and justice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major event did the Paris Agreement aim to address?

<p>Climate change (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following priority areas was identified during the Rio+20 Earth Summit that requires urgent attention?

<p>Food security and sustainable agriculture (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What temperature increase limit does the Paris Agreement strive to maintain?

<p>Below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which period did Australia's

<p>June 2019 – May 2020 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the devastating impacts of the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires?

<p>34 humans killed by the fire (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What non-binding document was published following the Rio+20 Earth Summit?

<p>The Future We Want (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant impact of climate change on bushfire seasons?

<p>Longer fire seasons (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is not a cause of bushfires?

<p>High humidity levels (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What practice involves creating controlled fires to prevent larger wildfires?

<p>Prescribed Burning (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of Japan's overfishing practices?

<p>Depletion of fish stocks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which practice is considered sustainable for managing fire risks?

<p>Creating Fire Breaks (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the increased risk of bushfires due to climate change?

<p>Drier vegetation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one implication of overfishing for marine ecosystems?

<p>Threatening biodiversity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is a driving force behind increased lightning strikes linked to climate change?

<p>Warmer temperatures (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant threat to coral reefs linked to fishing practices?

<p>Catching young fish before they can mature (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is fishing for large fish particularly harmful to fish populations?

<p>They produce more young that survive to adulthood (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which practice is considered unsustainable fishing?

<p>Catching fish without any regulations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'bycatch' refer to in fishing practices?

<p>The unintentional capture of non-target species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can coastal communities manage fish populations sustainably?

<p>Establishing fishing caps to limit catches (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Marine debris can harm coral reefs in which way?

<p>By damaging the coral structures directly (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one method recommended for individuals to support coral reef conservation?

<p>Only taking what they need when fishing (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of sustainable fisheries, what does 'TURF' stand for?

<p>Territorial Use Rights of Fishing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability

The possibility that human and other forms of life on earth will flourish forever.

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability.

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are Sustainable Development Goals?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is climate change?

Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth's climate system observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How does sustainability relate to global warming?

Human actions that contribute to climate change are unsustainable because they harm the planet we rely on for survival.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How do we talk about climate change?

The primary task is to address the concerns people already have about climate change, and to find ways to motivate them to take action.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Montreal Protocol

An international agreement aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)

Substances, primarily man-made, that deplete the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere, leading to increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Antarctic Ozone Hole

A significant decrease in the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere over Antarctica, discovered in 1974.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Phase-Out

The process of gradually reducing or eliminating the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) over time according to an international agreement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Brundtland Report (Our Common Future)

A report published in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland, which defined sustainable development and called for global action to address environmental challenges.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Earth Summit (Rio Summit)

A United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, where the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, and the Framework Convention on Climate Change were adopted.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Agenda 21

A comprehensive plan of action to achieve sustainable development, adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are GMOs?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology. This can be done to improve crops, such as making them resistant to pests or diseases, or to increase their nutritional content.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is Golden Rice?

Golden rice is a variety of rice that has been genetically modified to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. This makes it a valuable source of this essential nutrient, which is often lacking in diets in developing countries.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is water security?

Water security refers to the availability and accessibility of safe and sufficient water resources for all. It ensures that people have enough water for their basic needs, such as drinking, sanitation, and agriculture, and that water resources are managed sustainably.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is climate-resilient water management?

Climate-resilient water management involves using strategies to manage water resources in a way that is adaptable to changing climate conditions. This includes strategies like building efficient irrigation systems and storing water in reservoirs to mitigate drought.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are nature-based solutions for water security?

Nature-based solutions are techniques that use natural processes to address environmental challenges. In the context of water security, this can include building ice stupas to store water or using wetlands to filter pollutants from water sources.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Why is the Nile River important?

The Nile River is a major source of water for Egypt, providing 90% of its irrigation and drinking water. The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile has raised tensions between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over water sharing and its potential impact on downstream water flow.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are sponge cities?

A sponge city is a city designed to capture, manage, and reuse rainwater. This involves using green roofs, permeable pavements, constructed wetlands, and increased tree cover to slow down water flow, reduce flooding, and improve water quality.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are ice stupas?

An ice stupa is a man-made structure built to store water during the winter in high-altitude regions like Ladakh. The process involves using gravity and freezing temperatures to create a conical structure made of ice, which can then be used for irrigation during the spring and summer.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How does Climate Change increase Bushfire Risk?

Hotter temperatures, longer fire seasons, drier vegetation, and more lightning due to a warming climate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Prescribed Burning

A controlled burn conducted during cooler months to reduce fuel and prevent larger, uncontrollable fires later in the season.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fire Breaks

Open land areas cleared of vegetation and debris to stop the spread of wildfires.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Regrowing Forests with Fire-Resilient Seeds

Planting trees and vegetation resistant to fire damage, making forests more resilient to wildfires.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Overfishing

Excessive fishing practices that harm fish populations and marine ecosystems.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Implications of Overfishing

The depletion of fish stocks, loss of biodiversity, damage to coral reefs, and impact on fishing gear are all consequences of overfishing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Shark Finning

A method of catching and harvesting sharks solely for their fins, often discarding the rest of the body.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dolphin killing

The process of catching and killing dolphins, often for their meat or because they are seen as competition for fish.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rio+10

The 2002 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+10, was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, with the goal of evaluating progress on sustainable development since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A set of 17 interconnected goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. They aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rio+20

The 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20, was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It focused on green economy and the institutional framework for sustainable development.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Paris Agreement

A legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted by 196 countries in Paris in 2015. It aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Australia's "Black Summer" Bushfire

A series of devastating bushfires that ravaged Australia from June 2019 to May 2020, reaching its peak in December 2019 and January 2020. The fires were exacerbated by severe drought and a heatwave.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

A crucial aspect of the Paris Agreement, it refers to the actions and commitments made by individual countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)

The principle of equitable distribution of the burden of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, recognizing the historical responsibilities and differentiated capabilities of nations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Climate Change Report

A scientific assessment that provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the climate system, including its past, present, and future projections. It's produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fishing Nurseries

Catching young fish in nets before they can replenish the population. This impacts the overall fish population over time.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Indiscriminate Fishing

Using gear that catches any kind of fish, regardless of species or size. This disrupts the balance of the ecosystem.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fishing Spawning Aggregations

Overfishing during mating season, when fish gather in large numbers, severely depleting their populations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fishing Too Many Big Fish

Focusing on catching large, mature fish, which have the biggest impact on population growth, leading to depleted populations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Marine Debris

Traps and debris damaging coral reefs, impacting their recovery and the ecosystem they support.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Limitless Fishing

No regulations on how much fish can be caught. This leads to overfishing and depletion of populations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Conventional Fishing

Fishing without any rules or limitations, taking as much as possible.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Practicing Bycatch

Catching unwanted marine life along with the target fish, causing harm and waste.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

KIX 2005 - Law, Ethics & Sustainability for Engineers - Week 10

  • Learning Outcomes: Sustainability
  • Topics covered:
    • What is sustainability?
    • Why is sustainability needed?
    • Three pillars of sustainability
    • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
    • Sustainability event timeline
    • Case studies

What is Sustainability?

  • Sustainable Development: Development that fulfills the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs (Brundtland, 1987).
  • Sustainability: The likelihood that human and other forms of life on Earth will thrive permanently.
  • Three Pillars:
    • Environmental
    • Social
    • Economic

Why Sustainability is Important

  • Need to address issues like:
    • Global warming
    • Food security
    • Water security

How Sustainability Relates to Global Warming

  • Problem: Global warming necessitates sustainability.
  • Reason: Human activities causing climate change are inherently unsustainable, altering the environment humanity relies on.
  • Solution: Sustainable development aims to mitigate climate change's environmental and societal effects.
  • Challenge: Climate change hinders finding sustainable solutions to the problem.

What is Climate Change?

  • Climate change is long-term change in the average weather patterns. Defining Earth's local, regional, and global climates.

How to Discuss Climate Change

  • Focus on action, not simply awareness. People tend not to consider climate change when making everyday decisions, such as choosing a mode of transport or investment decisions.
  • Climate change concerns already exist, so don't try to convince people of its reality.

Greenhouse Effect

  • Greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2, CH4, N2O) trap heat in the atmosphere.
  • This absorbed sunlight is then re-emitted in all directions, heating the Earth.

Increase in Atmospheric CO2

  • Atmospheric CO2 levels have increased significantly since the start of the industrial revolution, due to fossil fuel burning.
  • This increase is unprecedented in the past 800,000 years.

Global Temperature Change (1850-2020)

  • Average global temperatures have risen by 1°C since the start of the industrial revolution, primarily due to increased CO2.

Drastic Efforts to Decrease CO2 Emissions (Crucial for Sustainability)

  • The world has a limited budget of around 600 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions to avoid exceeding a 1.5 - 2°C increase in global average temperatures.
  • Immediate and significant reductions in CO2 emissions are required to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Emissions should peak before 2020 & swiftly decline to zero.

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2016)

  • Energy use is the largest sector contributing, accounting for 73.2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use were the second largest contributor, accounting for 18.4% of emissions

Who is Emitting the Most CO2?

  • Asia and the Pacific are significant emitters.
  • 40% of global emissions are from the region, and this percentage is expected to be
  • 64% of Asia's power consumption is expected to be from PRC and India by 2030

Who is at Risk from Climate Change?

  • People living in poverty, women/children, and elderly, outside workers and individuals with chronic health conditions.
  • Individuals living in megacities, small island nations, coastal/mountainous regions and polar areas, and nations with weak healthcare systems.

Irony of Climate Change

  • Wealthier countries, mainly in Europe, produce the most emissions, yet developing nations, primarily in Africa, bear the brunt of the impacts.

Why is Africa Vulnerable to Climate Change?

  • High birth rates and rapid urbanization concentrate risks.
  • Africa's weather systems are sensitive to temperature increases, making the continent susceptible to extreme events and droughts, flooding, and storms.
  • Low adaptive capacity due to poverty, governance issues and financial constraints.
  • Agriculture relies heavily on weather patterns; consequently, disruptions in weather patterns affect agriculture.

Threats to Coral Reefs Due to Overfishing

  • Nearshore habitats act as nurseries; indiscriminate fishing removes young fish before they can replenish the population.

How is Overfishing Unsustainable?

  • Limitless fishing without regulations.
  • Conventional fishing practices are uncontrolled.
  • Bycatch practices harm other marine species during commercial fishing.

Sustainable Practices for Overfishing

  • Establishing caps on annual fish catch limits.
  • Establishing marine protected areas with fishing restrictions.
  • Implementing catch and release practices for unwanted fish.

How does Sustainability Relate to Food Security?

  • Food security involves food availability, access, utilization, and stability in a country or region. Access involves the ability of individuals to acquire food.
  • Fortifying food production through sustainable and efficient methods (e.g., crop rotation).
  • Reducing food waste.

Regenerative Agriculture

  • Various techniques, including cover crops, no-till systems, crop rotation, increased biodiversity, and integrated livestock, that improve soil health.

How GMOs Contribute to Reducing Food Waste

  • Specific GMO varieties exhibit reduced bruising and browning, minimizing post-harvest waste.
  • GMOs reduce the reliance on extensive land cultivation, making greater efficiency possible.

Golden Rice

  • Genetically modified rice, developed to increase beta-carotene (precursor for vitamin A).
  • Counteracts vitamin A deficiency impacting health and well-being in many regions, particularly in the Philippines.

How Sustainability Relates to Water Security

  • Water security is the availability of clean water for a country or region and the ability of people within that area to access, afford, and use sufficient water.
  • Approaches for water security:
    • Climate-resilient water management.
    • Nature-based solutions (e.g., the use of "sponge cities" and Himalayan ice stupas.)

Sustainability Event Timeline

  • Key dates and events related to sustainability, including pivotal environmental conferences and agreements.
    • 1962- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

    • 1987- Montreal Protocol

    • 1987- Our Common Future (Brundtland Report)

    • 1988- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

    • 1992- Rio Earth Summit

    • 1997- Kyoto Protocol

    • 2002- Rio +10

    • 2012- Rio +20

    • 2012- Doha Amendment of Kyoto Protocol

    • 2015- Paris Agreement

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • A collection of UN goals to address global challenges and promote sustainable development globally across 17 different areas encompassing poverty, hunger, good health, quality education, and gender equality, clean water, decent work, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption, climate action, etc.

Active Learning - SDG Tier Cake

  • Visual representation of the SDGs, outlining how different goals support and interconnect, with the environment as the foundation (e.g., SDG 1 No Poverty, SDG 2 Zero Hunger, SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.)

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

KIX 2005 Lecture 10 PDF

Description

Test your knowledge on the concepts of sustainability, climate change, and sustainable development goals. This quiz explores the pillars of sustainability, the impact of human activities on the environment, and innovative solutions to climate challenges. Challenge yourself with questions about GMOs, water security, and sustainable practices.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser