Sustainability and Ecological Impact Quiz

Sustainability

• Refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.
• Involves environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability.

Two-Centered Viewpoints on People and the Environment

• Anthropocentric: Views humans as the central concern, prioritizing human needs and benefits.
• Ecocentric: Emphasizes the intrinsic value of all living beings and ecosystems, advocating for their protection regardless of human benefit.

Importance of the Natural Environment

• Provides essential resources such as air, water, and food.
• Supports biodiversity, which is crucial for ecosystem stability and resilience.
• Offers recreational, cultural, and spiritual benefits to communities.

Four Ecological Services

• Provisioning Services: Supply of resources like food, water, and raw materials.
• Regulating Services: Control of climate, disease, and water quality through natural processes.
• Supporting Services: Necessary processes for ecosystem functioning, such as soil formation and nutrient cycling.
• Cultural Services: Non-material benefits such as aesthetic enjoyment and cultural identity.

Human Impact on Ecological Services

• Deforestation reduces provisioning and regulating services.
• Pollution affects water quality and biodiversity, disrupting supporting services.
• Urbanization fragments habitats, leading to the loss of cultural and ecological connections.

Effects of Human Influence on the Environment

• Social Effects: Displacement of communities due to environmental degradation.
• Economic Effects: Loss of livelihoods in sectors reliant on healthy ecosystems, such as fishing and agriculture.
• Environmental Effects: Increased pollution and loss of biodiversity, leading to ecosystem collapse.

Ecological Footprint

• Measurement of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, expressed in land and water area needed for resource consumption and waste absorption.
• Calculation involves assessing resource consumption and waste production against the planet's capacity to regenerate.

Causes of Climate Change

• Human Causes: Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices increase greenhouse gas emissions.
• Natural Causes: Volcanic eruptions and solar variations that influence Earth's climate system.

Greenhouse Effect

• Natural process where certain gases (GHGs) trap heat in the atmosphere, allowing Earth to maintain a suitable temperature for life.
• Enhanced greenhouse effect occurs due to increased GHG emissions from human activities.

Production of GHGs

• Transportation, energy production, and industrial activities release carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
• Agriculture, particularly livestock and rice production, significantly contributes methane emissions.

Enhancement of the Greenhouse Effect

• Increased fossil fuel usage in transportation and industry leads to higher CO2 levels.
• Deforestation decreases CO2 absorption, exacerbating climate change effects.

Evidence of Recent Global Warming

• Rising global temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
• Melting polar ice caps and rising sea levels indicate climatic shifts.

Effects of Global Warming

• Altered weather patterns threaten agricultural productivity and food security.
• Increased flooding and droughts displace populations and disrupt ecosystems.
• Loss of biodiversity as species struggle to adapt to rapid environmental changes.

Strategies to Mitigate Climate Change

• Transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable land use.
• Reforestation efforts and enhancing carbon sequestration methods.
• International cooperation and policy frameworks to reduce GHG emissions.

Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)

• A large area in the North Pacific Ocean with high concentrations of plastic debris, posing a threat to marine life and ecosystems.

Plastic Accumulation in Oceans

• Plastics enter oceans through rivers, direct disposal, and coastal waste, leading to significant pollution.
• Ocean currents facilitate the transport and accumulation of plastic debris in certain gyres.

Positives and Negatives of Plastic

• Positives: Versatile, lightweight, and durable, making it useful across various industries.
• Negatives: Non-biodegradable, leading to long-term pollution and potential harm to wildlife.

Impact of Plastic on Wildlife

• Ingestion and entanglement pose serious threats to marine species, leading to injury and death.
• Chemicals leached from plastics can disrupt hormonal functions in marine animals.

Importance of Tourism to Developing Nations

• Provides essential income and employment opportunities, strengthening local economies.
• Encourages the preservation of natural environments and cultural heritage.

Case Studies Using the W's (Who, What, Where, When, Why)

• Analyze specific instances of environmental challenges or success stories to illustrate broader concepts.

Strategies to Reduce Ocean Plastic

• Promoting recycling and waste management programs in coastal communities.
• Implementing policies to reduce single-use plastics and foster sustainable alternatives.
• Engaging the public through education and awareness campaigns on plastic pollution.

This quiz explores the concept of sustainability, including definitions, viewpoints on human interaction with the environment, and the importance of natural ecosystems. It also covers ecological services, human effects on these services, and the implications of human influence on environmental, social, and economic aspects. Additionally, participants will learn about ecological footprints and their calculations.