Sustainable Development and Energy Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is one goal of sustainable development related to poverty?

Support only urban development

Ignore social inequalities

Increase wealth among the rich

Eliminate poverty by 2030 (correct)

Which of the following is a focus area of sustainable agriculture?

End hunger and malnutrition (correct)

Increase import of agricultural products

Reduce government support for farmers

Promote large-scale farming exclusively

Which of the following actions is part of sustainable development regarding water resources?

Privatize all water sources

Increase water pollution rates

Reduce water wastage (correct)

Limit access to clean water

What type of fossil fuel is formed from organic materials that have been buried and subjected to heat and pressure?

Natural gas Signup and view all the answers

Which classification describes fossil fuels based on their physical state?

Liquid, solid, and gaseous Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of fossil fuels?

They are categorized as non-renewable resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of wood in regions where it serves as the main energy source?

Cooking food Signup and view all the answers

How did the industrial revolution affect energy use in the automobile industry?

Required more efficient road networks and fuel Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major type of biomass?

Solar panels Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the increased fuel consumption in automobiles?

Improvement of road speeds Signup and view all the answers

What environmental issue is associated with wood burning?

Air pollution Signup and view all the answers

How much of the world's energy is used by buildings according to UNEP?

40% Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of converting land from food crops to energy crops?

Impact on food production Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a geothermal power plant?

To generate electricity using Earth's internal heat Signup and view all the answers

Which crop is mentioned as being specifically grown for energy production purposes?

Sugarcane Signup and view all the answers

Which negative effect is associated with the destruction of natural ecosystems for energy plantation?

Loss of habitat and biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant public health risk associated with improper waste disposal?

Breeding grounds for disease carriers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following diseases can be caused by improper waste disposal?

Malaria Signup and view all the answers

What occupational hazards do waste pickers face in developing economies?

Contact with sharp objects Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following environmental impacts is NOT a consequence of improper waste disposal?

Soil fertility enhancement Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the solid waste management process?

Generation Signup and view all the answers

Why is on-site waste storage important?

For public health and aesthetic reasons Signup and view all the answers

What are the activities associated with solid waste management?

Generation, transport, and disposal Signup and view all the answers

Which type of waste is especially problematic in warm and moist conditions?

Food waste Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of green building practices?

Promoting resource and energy efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What does life cycle analysis (LCA) evaluate in the context of green buildings?

The complete range of impacts throughout a building’s life cycle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major environmental impact considered in life cycle analysis?

Aesthetics of the building design Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tools contributes to reducing water use in green buildings?

Reusing treated wastewater Signup and view all the answers

What does LEED certification evaluate?

A set of criteria for design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a consideration for improving green building efficiency?

Incorporating luxury finishes Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criteria for receiving LEED certification?

Use of local building materials Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices helps reduce the environmental impact of buildings?

Using non-toxic construction materials Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of recycling?

Saves resources Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge associated with recycling plastics?

Different chemicals in plastics Signup and view all the answers

Which agricultural practice relies heavily on equipment and financial capital?

Industrialized agriculture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an impact of large-scale industrial food production?

Water pollution Signup and view all the answers

Food security is defined as:

Daily access to enough nutritious food Signup and view all the answers

How does industrialized agriculture affect soil quality?

Leads to topsoil erosion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of water pollution caused by industrial food production?

Algal blooms Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential human health effect of pesticide use in agriculture?

Pesticide residues in water Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the earth’s ice-free land is used for agriculture?

38% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices characterizes traditional agriculture?

Minimal technological input Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major effects of increased automobile production on the economy?

It created jobs in multiple sectors including steel and glass industries. Signup and view all the answers

How did the rise of automobiles influence urban living?

Cities expanded as people could live farther from work. Signup and view all the answers

Which fossil fuel resource contributes most significantly to air pollution when burned?

Coal Signup and view all the answers

What is a major environmental issue associated with coal mining?

It leads to landscape disturbance and acid mine drainage. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary concerns when extracting and transporting oil?

Issues with oil spills and air pollution. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about natural gas is true?

It poses no environmental harm during transport. Signup and view all the answers

What primary products are produced from the combustion of natural gas?

Carbon dioxide and water. Signup and view all the answers

Which sector includes single-family homes and multi-family housing in terms of energy use?

Residential sector Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Noise Pollution

Sound is a pressure wave
Sound level is measured using decibels (dB)
Noise pollution is excessive or disturbing sound that harms human or animal activity or balance
Unwanted noise interferes with normal activities (e.g., sleeping, conversations) or reduces quality of life
Noise pollution can damage physiological and psychological health

Major Community Noise Sources

Transportation (aircraft, vehicles, trains)
Construction noise
Industrial processing (machines)
Recreation & sports

Impact of Noise on Human Health

Noise can affect health negatively in various ways, starting with discomfort and progressing to serious conditions.
Mortality: The most severe impact, e.g., cardiovascular diseases, or other serious health conditions.
Disease: E.g., sleep disturbances, cardiovascular problems
Risk factors: E.g., elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels
Stress indicators: Physiological changes like stress hormones
Feeling of discomfort: E.g., disturbance, annoyance, sleep difficulties
The severity of health impacts corresponds to the intensity of noise

Noise Levels of Common Sounds

Any sound above 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss, depending on duration and intensity
Breathing (10dB)
Leaves rustling (20-30dB)
Conversation (50dB)
Vacuum cleaner (70dB)
Heavy city traffic (85-90dB)
Power tools (90dB)
Motorcycle (100dB)
Live rock concert (110dB)
Ambulance siren (120dB)
Jet engine taking off (140dB)
12-gauge shotgun (160dB)

Safe Exposure Times

Instantaneous permanent damage (above 140+ dB)
Less than one second (140+ dB)
Less than ten seconds (130dB)
Threshold of pain (120dB)
1.5 minutes (110dB)
15 minutes (100dB)
2.5 hours (90dB)
8 hours (85dB)
Prolonged exposure to noise levels of 85 dB and higher can result in permanent hearing loss

Noise Control Techniques

Reduce noise at the source
Block or increase the path of noise
Protect the recipient

Solutions for Noise Pollution

Regular servicing of automobiles
Servicing and lubrication of machinery
Planting around sound generating sources
Buildings with suitable noise-absorbing materials
Soundproof doors and windows in construction
Hearing protection equipment for workers
Regulations to restrict usage of loudspeakers in public places
Social awareness programs to educate public about noise pollution

Noise Pollution Affecting Marine Animals

Noise pollution levels in the ocean have significantly increased due to intensified fishing, shipping, and infrastructure development.
Underwater noise interferes with the ability of marine animals to communicate and transmit information
The sound travels 4.5 times faster in water than in air

Solid Waste

Solid waste is useless and/or hazardous material with low liquid content
Solid waste is material with no further useful purpose, and discarded
Solid wastes are categorized according to the sector responsible for producing them

Solid Waste Categories

Mining waste
Large amounts of rock and soil are removed to get to valuable ore
This waste is usually left on the mine site surface
Vegetation growth is often difficult on these waste rock piles
Agricultural waste
Waste from raising animals and harvesting/processing crops/trees
Industrial solid waste
Demolition waste, manufacturing scraps, combustion ash
Municipal solid waste (MSW)
Includes all materials people in a region no longer want due to brokenness, spoilage, or lack of further use
This includes waste from households, commercial establishments, and institutions

Global MSW Profile

A pie chart showing the global waste composition by material type (e.g. rubber & leather, wood, paper & cardboard, other, plastic, metal, food & green, glass) in percentages
Global waste generation per capita (map)

Public Health Risks of Improper Waste Disposal

Waste is a breeding ground for disease carriers (insects, flies, mosquitoes, rodents)
Food and non-food waste attracts insects and rodents
Waste can spread diseases (Typhoid, Cholera, Malaria, Hepatitis, Yellow Fever, Dysentery, Gastroenteritis)
Occupational hazards exist for waste pickers in developing economies (contact with sharp objects, hazardous waste)
Water contamination (surface and groundwater)
Loss of aesthetics and landscaping
Air pollution (odors, harmful gases, greenhouse gases, trace gases)

Plastic in the Marine Environment

Land-based, coastal, and at-sea sources of plastic pollution
Plastic breakdown leading to microplastics
Plastic accumulation in ocean surface and sea floor.
Visual depiction of the extent of the problem, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Solid Waste Management

Activities involved in solid waste management: Generation, Handling and storage at source, Collection, Transfer and transport, Processing and Disposal.

Waste Generation

Waste generation varies by individuals
Waste generation is currently uncontrollable

Waste Handling and Storage

Waste handling involves activities related to managing waste until it's stored for collection.
On-site storage is critical for public health and aesthetic reasons

Waste Collection

Gathering solid wastes, recyclables
Transport to processing facilities, transfer stations, or landfills

Transfer and Transportation

Transfer of waste from smaller collection vehicles to larger transport equipment.
Subsequent long-distance transport to a processing or disposal site

Waste Processing

Separation of waste into categories(paper, plastics, glass, metals)

Waste Disposal

Past favored methods: Dumping and burning waste outside city/village limits.
Modern methods (landfills, incineration, composting, source reduction, recycling)

Landfill

Modern landfills are not dumpsites, but methods of disposing of solid waste underground.
Site selection depends on geological conditions and public concerns.
Leachate (liquid from reactions in the landfill) and landfill gas (methane) need monitoring to prevent environmental contamination

Incineration

Controlled burning of waste
Reduces volume of waste drastically (up to 90%)
Can recover energy and produce electricity
Concerns regarding cost, sophistication, safety, emissions, and bottom ash

Composting

Natural decomposition of organic materials to produce a nutrient-rich soil-like material

Source Reduction

Reducing waste generation volume and toxicity.
Practicable for individuals and businesses.
Includes reusing, buying less, efficient product use

Recycling

Positively perceived waste management practice
Saves resources, reduces landfill space
Challenges due to plastic types, low-quality recycled plastics

Food Production & the Environment

Billions work in agriculture, producing sufficient food for all

Food Security

Food security is when most people have daily access to nutritious food.
Food insecurity is chronic hunger and poor nutrition, harming a person's ability to lead a healthy life.

Major Causes of Food Insecurity

Economic inequality
Conflict, violence, and displacement
Agricultural practices (traditional vs. industrialized)
Climate change
Food waste

Food Waste Distribution

Percentage breakdown of food wastage across stages(on farm/slaughter, en route to market, retail/food service, household)

Impacts of Food Production

Biodiversity loss
Soil quality problems (topsoil erosion)
Water pollution (pesticides, nutrient enrichment, algal growth)
Air pollution (greenhouse gases, burning crop residues, animal digestion)
Human health effects (pesticide residues)

Population & Sustainable Development

Human population growth: past, present, future (historical data, projections, population density data)
Carrying capacity: maximum population a given environment can sustain, depending on available resources and resource consumption rate
The ecological footprint concept: land area needed to provide resources and assimilate the waste of a person or population.
Sustainable development: Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Energy Use

Fossil fuels: Non-renewable resources (coal, oil, natural gas).
Coal formation: From organisms buried over millions of years under water and dirt
Petroleum & natural gas formation: Mostly from marine plants and animals buried deep in the ocean.
Role of automobile in the industrial revolution: Impact on infrastructure development, job creation, and lifestyle changes
Types of energy use: Residential, commercial, industrial, transportation.
Issues related to fossil fuel use (coal, oil, natural gas): Landscape damage, extraction processes, waste, pollution from use. Methods to improve extraction processes.
Nuclear power: Not a fossil fuel, but requires mining uranium, which is non-renewable . Challenges include radiation protection, reactor safety, and nuclear waste disposal.
Renewable energy sources: Solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass.

Green Building

Impacts of current construction systems
Approaches to green building (efficiency, reduction of impacts)
Life cycle analysis (LCA)
Green building tools
Green building certification (e.g., LEED)

Environmental Risk and EIA

Defining risk assessment and risk perception
Decision-making process involving risk assessment and perception
Understanding Environment Impact Assessment as a risk management tool
Key Players during the EIA process
Proponent (developer)
Public administration/licensing authority.
Population (directly and through representatives)
Potential projects requiring an EIA: Protected areas, islands, coastal areas, reclamation, historical sites, hospitals

EIA Process

Screening (determining if EIA is required)
Scoping (identifying issues and impacts)
EIA Report (evaluating impacts, mitigation strategies)
Public & Consultation (public input, reasoned conclusion)
Monitoring & Enforcement/Penalties

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Description

Test your knowledge on sustainable development goals, agriculture, and energy resources. This quiz explores the impact of fossil fuels, biomass, and the transition to sustainable energy. Challenge yourself with questions related to environmental issues and resource management!