Environmental Studies Midterm (Fall 2022)

A massive cloud of air pollution largely generated in China affects only China, but causes serious respiratory problems there.

False

An environmentally sustainable society must be based only on policies that provide for economic growth and development.

False

In order for the social changes to occur that will produce sustainable economies, fully 50% of the population of a country must support the change.

False

Natural resources are considered natural capital, but natural services are not.

False

Perpetual resources exist in a fixed quantity or stock in the Earth's crust.

False

Polluting chemicals enter the environment only through human activities.

False

Rapid population growth and associated poverty are primarily occurring in developing countries and have little impact on environmental degradation.

False

The tragedy of the commons is a phenomenon that occurs only when the number of users is small.

False

A single, identifiable source of pollution is called a(n) ____________________.

point source

It has been estimated that humanity's global ecological footprint exceeds the Earth's biological capacity by about ____________________.

30%

A(n )____________________ is a set of organisms within a defined area or volume that interact with one another and with their environment of nonliving matter and energy.

Ecosystem

____________________ are materials and energy in nature that are essential or useful to humans.

Natural resources

____________________ are functions of nature, such as purification of air and water, that support life and human economies.

Natural services

____________________ is the contamination of the environment by a chemical or other agent such as noise or heat to a level that is harmful to the health, survival or activities of humans of other organisms.

Pollution

____________________ is the ability of the Earth's various natural systems and human cultural systems and economies to survive and adapt to changing environmental conditions indefinitely.

Sustainability

Explain how the IPAT model and the ecological footprint model emphasize different aspects of how natural resources are affected by unsustainable use.

The IPAT model includes the per capita use of both renewable and nonrenewable resources, while the ecological footprint model emphasizes the use of renewable resources.

Clearly describe how wealth and affluence can have both harmful and beneficial environmental effects.

The typical lifestyles of the citizens of developed nations are built on high levels of consumption and unsustainable use of natural resources. This type of affluence has an enormously harmful environmental impact. On the other hand, affluence can lead people to become more educated, environmentally aware, and concerned. It also provides money for the development of improved technologies that can help to reduce pollution, resource waste, and environmental degradation.

Explain how poverty drives population growth.

To many poor people, having more children is a matter of survival. Children are effectively the labor force for a poor family, helping with crop tending, gathering wood or fuel, hauling water and livestock tending. Additionally, the children become caretakers of their parents when the parents age. This is very important in poor countries that do not have social security, health care or retirement funds.

An important goal of environmental science is to learn how life on the earth has thrived and survived.

True

Government subsidies can actually encourage companies to conduct business in ways that result in environmental degradation.

True

If industry managers ask the question "How can my company avoid producing polluting air exhaust from my factory?" they are seeking pollution prevent, which is preferable to pollution cleanup.

True

In an environmentally sustainable society, most affluent citizens work to decrease their consumption of products.

True

One of the ways we can slow population growth is to elevate the status of women.

True

Pollution cleanup is considered a short-term solution if population and consumption levels grow without corresponding improvement in pollution control technology.

True

Recycling nonrenewable metallic resources takes much less energy, water, and other resources and produces less pollution and environmental degradation than exploiting virgin metallic resources.

True

The United States has the world's largest per capita ecological footprint.

True

We can say that biodiversity is a factor in maintaining life on this planet.

True

In alley cropping: a. Crops are planted between hedgerows of trees or shrubs that are used for fruits or fuelwood. b. Terraces are built to prevent swift water runoff. c. Plowing runs across slopes. d. Special tillers are used so the topsoil is not disturbed. e. A row of crops alternates in strips with another row of crops.

a. Crops are planted between hedgerows of trees or shrubs that are used for fruits or fuelwood.

The sale and use of pesticides in the United States is regulated by which agencies? a. FDA, EPA, and USDA b. USDA, FDA, and ATF c. CIA, FDA, and USDA d. FBI, FDA, and EPA e. EPA, ATF, and FBI

a. FDA, EPA, and USDA

If a country's ecological footprint is larger than its biological capacity to replenish its renewable resources and absorb the resulting waste and pollution: a. It is said to have an ecological deficit. b. It should be supported by other countries with smaller footprints. c. It is said to be a sustainable society. d. It is most likely a developing country. e. More than one of these answers is correct.

a. It is said to have an ecological deficit.

Which of the following statements is a weakness of using pheromones? a. They are costly and time-consuming to produce. b. They are more effective in the juvenile stage than the adult stage. c. Insects develop resistance to pheromones. d. They are biologically magnified in nontarget species. e. They only work in large amounts.

a. They are costly and time-consuming to produce.

Which of the following is a major factor contributing to the degradation of natural capital associated with the pricing of consumable goods? a. They are priced in such a way that they do not reflect the environmental damage caused by their production. b. They are priced in such a way as to allow even those in poverty in developing nations to acquire them. c. They are priced in such a way that only the most affluent purchaser is able to acquire them. d. Consumers are typically aware of the kinds of environmental damage resulting from the production of the item. e. It is fashionable in some local cultures to purchase items that are expensive because of the social status it brings.

a. They are priced in such a way that they do not reflect the environmental damage caused by their production.

Killing wild predators is an example of a(n) ______________problem caused by industrialized food production. a. biodiversity loss b. soil c. human health d. air pollution e. water

a. biodiversity loss

Which of the following types of agriculture is most characteristic of developing countries? a. plantation agriculture b. traditional agriculture c. industrialized agriculture d. minimum-tillage agriculture e. high-input agriculture

b. traditional agriculture

17. Which of the following is an example of recycling? a. collecting and remelting aluminum beer cans and making them into new cans b. cleaning and refilling soft-drink bottles c. selling used clothing at a garage sale d. saving leftovers in a peanut butter jar e. using household water to water a garden

a. collecting and remelting aluminum beer cans and making them into new cans

Aquaculture would be more sustainable if a. consumers chose to eat fish species that are primary consumers instead of secondary consumers b. consumers chose to eat top predators c. fish farms were located near mangrove forests d. fish farms were located near estuaries e. chemical pesticides were used to control common fish diseases

a. consumers chose to eat fish species that are primary consumers instead of secondary consumers

All of the following crops are commonly grown in plantation agriculture except a. corn b. bananas c. palm oil d. coffee e. sugarcane

a. corn

Monoculture is a method of growing food that is utilized solely in a. industrialized agriculture b. polyculture c. traditional subsistence agriculture d. traditional intensive agriculture e. both industrialized agriculture and traditional intensive agriculture

a. industrialized agriculture

Which of the following terms encompasses all of the others? a. natural capital b. natural resources c. natural services d. renewable resources e. nonrenewable resources

a. natural capital

Which macronutrient in the human diet helps to build and repair body tissues? a. proteins b. carbohydrates c. oils d. fats e. both oils and proteins

a. proteins

Sustainable yield is the highest rate at which we can use a(n) _____________without reducing its available supply. a. renewable resource b. perpetual resource c. energy resource d. mineral resource e. nonrenewable resource

a. renewable resource

Integrated pest management ____ than pesticides. a. requires more expert knowledge about individual pest-crop situations b. is faster acting c. requires more fertilizer and irrigation d. is more expensive e. requires more labor

a. requires more expert knowledge about individual pest-crop situations

A group of organisms with a unique set of characteristics that distinguishes them from other organisms, is called a ___________ a. species b. ecosystem c. sustainable society d. natural resource e. population

a. species

Most soil erosion is caused by a. wind and moving water b. photosynthesis c. earthquakes d. volcanoes e. excess heat

a. wind and moving water

The IPAT model of environmental impact takes into consideration population size, technology, and ____________________.

affluence

Which of the following is an environmental benefit of affluence and wealth? a. Increasing wealth allows for an increased capacity for resource consumption. b. Increased wealth provides resources to apply toward the creation of environmentally beneficial technologies. c. Increasing affluence often leads to a desire to travel widely and frequently in order to see the world. d. The affluence of developed nations is highly desirable and sought after by citizens of developing nations. e. The typical consumption patterns of affluent nations leads to beneficial environmental conservation practices.

b. Increased wealth provides resources to apply toward the creation of environmentally beneficial technologies.

Strains of genetically modified food crops can hybridize with wild crop varieties when a. The process is carefully controlled in an agricultural lab. b. Pollen blows from the genetically modified crop and spreads among wild varieties. c. Pollen is transferred by the farmer from one crop to the other. d. It is not possible for a genetically modified plant to hybridize with a wild species. e. More than one of these answers is correct

b. Pollen blows from the genetically modified crop and spreads among wild varieties.

You generally buy and eat microwave dinners. After dinner, cardboard tops and plastic trays remain. The least effective way to deal with this type of solid waste problem is to a. Store leftovers in the plastic trays. b. Put all of the solid waste in the household trash to be taken to the landfill. c. Donate the plastic containers to the local nursery schools to use with preschoolers. d. Recycle the components. e. Save the containers in a stash in your garage for future use.

b. Put all of the solid waste in the household trash to be taken to the landfill.

The amount of irrigated land used to produce food crops has increased since 1950. It can also be said that: a. The amount of irrigated land per person has increased since 1950. b. The amount of irrigated land per person has decreased since 1950. c. The amount of irrigated land per person has stayed the same since 1950. d. The amount of irrigated land per person for this time period is not known. e. The amount of irrigated land per person has increased in some areas and decreased in others.

b. The amount of irrigated land per person has decreased since 1950.

Which of the following would not be used to describe polyculture? a. Plants mature at various times. b. The plot of land is left unmanaged for long periods of time. c. Fertilizer use and water use are reduced. d. Pesticides are rarely needed. e. It produces higher yields than high-input monocultures.

b. The plot of land is left unmanaged for long periods of time.

Which one of the following items is a major disadvantage of animal feed lots? a. Less land is required to feed the animals. b. Use of antibiotics can increase genetic resistance to microbes in humans. c. Soil erosion is reduced. d. Overgrazing is reduced. e. Biodiversity is protected.

b. Use of antibiotics can increase genetic resistance to microbes in humans.

Which of the following best describes how the process of irrigation can lead to salinization of soils? a. Water associated with irrigation flows from uphill. The salts that were in the soil uphill end up being brought to the lower elevations. b. Water associated with irrigation contains small amounts of dissolved salts. Evaporation leaves behind increasing concentrations of these salts. c. Irrigation water contains salts. Evaporation allows the salts to be lifted away, reducing the levels of salts in the soil. d. Irrigation water is treated with dissolved salts to promote plant growth. Over time the plants become saturated with salts and do not need this macronutrient. e. Irrigation is primarily accomplished through the use of abundant sea water, which contains high concentrations of salts.

b. Water associated with irrigation contains small amounts of dissolved salts. Evaporation leaves behind increasing concentrations of these salts.

Billions of poverty-stricken people do not have access to basic necessities of life. The lack of which one of the following basic necessities affects the largest number of people? a. enough fuel for heating and cooking b. adequate sanitation facilities c. clean drinking water d. adequate housing e. enough food for good health

b. adequate sanitation facilities

Nonpoint sources of pollution a. enter ecosystems from single identifiable sources b. are more difficult to control than point sources c. include smokestacks and automobile exhaust pipes d. are cheaper and easier to identify than point sources e. are always found in rural areas

b. are more difficult to control than point sources

Switching to integrated pest management in the United States a. will be easy to do because it is very simple b. is hindered by government subsidies for using chemicals and by opposition from chemical manufacturers c. is difficult because it only works for a few pests d. is strongly opposed by environmentalists e. is easy to accomplish but is opposed by organic farmers

b. is hindered by government subsidies for using chemicals and by opposition from chemical

The tragedy of the commons refers to a. overuse of privately held resources b. overuse of shared common resources c. human deaths from polluted shared resources such as air or water d. government over-regulation of fresh water use e. a Shakespeare play

b. overuse of shared common resources

Because root systems at different depths in a given area of soil capture nutrients and soil efficiently we can say that a. polyculture lessens the need for fertilizer b. polyculture lessens the need for fertilizer and water c. polyculture increases the need for fertilizer but not water d. polyculture increases the need for water but not fertilizer e. polyculture lessens the need for pollinators

b. polyculture lessens the need for fertilizer and water

An integrated pest management program attempts to a. increase inputs of fertilizer and irrigation water b. reduce crop damage to an economically tolerable level c. increase pesticide use d. decrease yields and increase costs e. increase the development of disease-resistant pests

b. reduce crop damage to an economically tolerable level

Which of the following can lead to desertification? a. conservation tillage b. severe and prolonged drought c. crop rotation d. polyculture farming e. terraced crop arrangements

b. severe and prolonged drought

Which of the following is not one of the three major types of organic fertilizer? a. green manure b. sewage sludge c. compost d. animal manure e. All of these are major types of organic fertilizers.

b. sewage sludge

The following grains are among the world's major food crops except a. wheat b. soybean c. rice d. corn e. wheat and corn are major food crops, but not soybeans or rice

b. soybean

A worldview that holds that we can and should manage the Earth for our own benefit but that we also have an ethical responsibility to be caring stewards is called the a. planetary management worldview b. stewardship worldview c. environmental wisdom worldview d. socialist worldview e. monarchy worldview

b. stewardship worldview

Which of the following terms does not belong with the others? a. organic food b. sustainable agriculture c. animals raised on 100% organic feed d. natural food e. label of 100% organic

b. sustainable agriculture

Our economic systems promote unsustainable forms of industrialized agriculture because a. they so successfully provide healthy food to our populations b. they do not include most of the harmful environmental and health costs of such food production in the market prices c. they are so effective in cutting costs d. they provide so many jobs e. the food production is so efficient

b. they do not include most of the harmful environmental and health costs of such food production in the market prices

The three principles of sustainability are chemical cycling, reliance on solar energy, and ____________________.

biodiversity

Since 1945, approximately ____ species of insects and rodents have developed resistance to one or more insecticides. a. 50 b. 500 c. 1,000 d. 2,000 e. 5,000

c. 1,000

With respect to making a shift from unsustainable lifestyles to sustainable lifestyles, it is estimated that we have about _____________years to accomplish this, but that it takes about _______________per cent of the population to bring about such major social changes. a. 50 to 100; 50 to 100 b. 100 to 1,000; 5 to 10 c. 50 to 100; 5 to 10 d. 5 to 10; 50 to 100 e. 75; 75

c. 50 to 100; 5 to 10

Every day, approximately _______ new people are added to the global population. a. 53 million b. 100 million c. 83 million d. 153 million e. 250,000 (a quarter of a million)

c. 83 million

Which of the following is a characteristic of polyaquaculture? a. Only herbivorous fish are raised. b. Only carnivorous fish are raised. c. Fish and shrimp are raised in ponds along with algae, seaweed, and shellfish. d. Fish are raised in estuaries where the flushing action of rivers keeps the wastes moving away from the fish. e. Multiple kinds of shellfish (crab, shrimp, mussels) are raised in the same pond.

c. Fish and shrimp are raised in ponds along with algae, seaweed, and shellfish.

The majority of soil organic matter is concentrated in the a. O horizon of leaf litter b. A horizon of topsoil c. O and A horizons d. C horizon e. B horizon

c. O and A horizons

Topsoil in the United States is eroding about ____ times faster than it can form. a. 2 b. 4 c. 8 d. 17 e. 22

d. 17

About __________ of the world's human population lives in the developing countries. a. 20% b. 40% c. 60% d. 80% e. 90%

d. 80%

A pheromone is a. a new form of chemical insecticide awaiting approval by FIFRA b. a strong herbicide c. a species-specific chemical sex attractant d. a bloodstream chemical that controls an organism's growth and development e. a safe, natural pesticide

c. a species-specific chemical sex attractant

When we speak of protecting the environment, we are referring to_______ a. all living things on the planet b. all non-living things such as air, fresh water, and energy c. all living and non-living things d. humans and the living and non-living things that affect them only e. humans and the living things that affect them only

c. all living and non-living things

In the United States, the use of synthetic pesticides has increased 10-fold between 1942 and 1997. For the same time period, the crop loss to insects has a. declined by 10% b. increased by 2% c. almost doubled from 10% to 13% d. stayed at exactly the same percentage e. declined by 50%

c. almost doubled from 10% to 13%

Point sources of pollution a. enter ecosystems from dispersed and often hard-to-identify sources b. include runoff of fertilizers and pesticides from farmlands and suburban lawns c. are cheaper and easier to identify than nonpoint sources d. are more difficult to control than nonpoint sources e. are always found in rural areas

c. are cheaper and easier to identify than nonpoint sources

Which of the following is a social movement dedicated to the protection of the Earth's natural capital? a. ecology b. environmental science c. environmentalism d. natural science e. sustainability

c. environmentalism

Since 1950, aquaculture production has a. declined by half b. increased almost seven-fold c. increased over 40-fold d. stayed exactly the same as the wild fish catch e. declined by about 10%

c. increased over 40-fold

Which of the following is central to most of the efforts to conserve topsoil? a. an emphasis on agricultural practices that enhance monocultures b. annual crop rotations c. keeping the soil covered by vegetation d. preventing insect pests from destroying valuable crops e. conversion of croplands into pasturelands or feedlots

c. keeping the soil covered by vegetation

Which of the following approaches would be the least beneficial in trying to reduce insect damage? a. rotating crops b. genetic engineering of crops c. planting monocultures d. bringing in natural enemies e. planting polycultures

c. planting monocultures

Which of the following is the root cause of food insecurity? a. insufficient food resources being produced globally b. rapid climate change c. poverty d. political disputes over natural resources e. poor organization of government agencies

c. poverty

Government subsidies to fishing fleets a. promote overfishing b. promote the reduction of aquatic biodiversity c. promote overfishing and reduction of aquatic biodiversity d. reduce the use of bottom-trawling harvests e. are currently less than $100,000 per year

c. promote overfishing and reduction of aquatic biodiversity

Select the choice that correctly states the best priority for use of non-renewable resources, such as metals and plastics, from the environmentally sustainable perspective. a. recycle, reuse, reduce b. reuse, reduce, recycle c. reduce, reuse, recycle d. reduce, recycle, refuse e. repurpose, recycle, remake

c. reduce, reuse, recycle

Which of the following would best be categorized as a perpetual resource? a. oil reserves b. fisheries c. solar energy d. forests e. coal reserves

c. solar energy

Nutrient recycling is a vital natural service carried out by which natural resource? a. natural gas b. clean air c. topsoil d. grazing animals such as deer e. two of these answers

c. topsoil

9. Which of the following is best categorized as an example of a natural service? a. renewable energy b. nonrenewable energy c. water purification d. oil e. soil

c. water purification

All of the following are true about subsidies for food production except a. Subsidies in developed countries average $571,000 per minute. b. Milk production quadrupled in New Zealand after farm subsidies were ended. c. Food prices in developed countries are kept artificially low. d. Developing countries also receive large amounts of subsidies for growing food. e. Some analysts recommend replacing traditional subsidies with subsidies that promote sustainable agricultural practices.

d. Developing countries also receive large amounts of subsidies for growing food.

The National Academy of Sciences has estimated that 98% of the potential risk of developing cancer from pesticide residue on food grown in the U.S. could be eliminated if a. the entire industrialized agriculture business switched to integrated pest management b. genetically modified foods were grown exclusively c. pheromone traps were used more effectively to capture pests d. EPA standards for pre-1972 pesticides were as strict as standards for later pesticides e. the government banned just one of the worst pesticides from use

d. EPA standards for pre-1972 pesticides were as strict as standards for later pesticides

Which of the following best describes what is meant by an ecological footprint? a. It is the average size of the lot on which a family home is built. b. It is the number of acres necessary to grow enough food to support a family. c. It is the geographic area in which a person travels during the course of their average daily activities. d. It is the amount of biologically-productive land and water needed to supply the people in a particular country or area with the resources they need. e. It is the amount of tillable agricultural land necessary to supply the food requirements of a nation.

d. It is the amount of biologically-productive land and water needed to supply the people in a particular country or area with the resources they need.

What is an essential characteristic that indicates whether a resource should be categorized as a renewable resource? a. It must be an energy resource. b. It must be a biological resource. c. It must be recyclable. d. It must have the capacity to be replenished within days to several hundred years. e. It must have the capacity to be utilized for immediate economic benefit.

d. It must have the capacity to be replenished within days to several hundred years.

Which of the following statements about developing countries is true? a. They are highly industrialized. b. They have high-average per capita income. c. They include the United States, Germany, and Japan. d. They are classified as middle-income or low-income. e. They have about 85% of the world's wealth and income.

d. They are classified as middle-income or low-income.

Pollution cleanup efforts can be ineffective because a. They often transfer pollutants from one part of the environment to another. b. Once pollutants are dispersed, it costs too much to reduce them to acceptable levels. c. They can be overwhelmed by growth in population and consumption. d. They often transfer pollutants from part of the environment to another, once they are dispersed it costs too much to reduce them to acceptable levels, and they can be overwhelmed by growth in population and consumption. e. There are not enough people with the necessary technical training to deal with the problems.

d. They often transfer pollutants from part of the environment to another, once they are dispersed it costs too much to reduce them to acceptable levels, and they can be overwhelmed by growth in population and consumption.

A hormone is a. a new form of chemical insecticide awaiting approval by FIFRA b. a strong herbicide c. a species-specific chemical sex attractant d. a chemical that controls an organism's growth and development e. a strong pesticide

d. a chemical that controls an organism's growth and development

The actual cost of gasoline that U.S. consumers purchase for their cars is a. about $1 per gallon which makes it even more unfair that we are currently paying around $4 per gallon. b. about $4 per gallon, so the current prices at the pump are right on target. c. about $6 per gallon which is more in line with fair prices paid in European countries d. about $14 per gallon when one considers estimated harmful environmental and health costs. e. it was $2 per gallon until Hurricane Katrina and Deep Horizon oil spill caused increases in production costs and decreases in availability.

d. about $14 per gallon when one considers estimated harmful environmental and health costs.

Salt buildup may a. increase crop growth b. increase yields c. eventually kill weeds d. eventually make the land unproductive e. initially decrease yield, but later increase yield

d. eventually make the land unproductive

Which of the following associations is incorrect? a. croplands and grains b. aquaculture and seafood c. rangelands and meat d. feedlots and shellfish e. fishery and commercial harvesting

d. feedlots and shellfish

Root causes of unsustainability include all of the following except a. wasteful use of resources b. poverty c. rapid population growth d. inclusion of environmental and social costs in market prices e. widespread recycling programs

d. inclusion of environmental and social costs in market prices

Biological control of pests a. costs more money than pesticides to use b. is toxic to use c. is fast-acting d. is not toxic to use e. has never been very effective

d. is not toxic to use

The world's 30,000 known species of spiders a. kill more livestock with poisonous bites than any other threat. b. have to be controlled in order for integrated pest management to work properly c. are a threat not only to livestock, but also to rural farmers because they nest in sheds where equipment is stored and later retrieved. d. kill far more crop-eating insects every year than humans do by using chemicals. e. Are at the bottom of the food chain in agricultural settings and so provide important food for birds that control caterpillar populations.

d. kill far more crop-eating insects every year than humans do by using chemicals.

All of the following are potentially renewable resources except a. groundwater b. trees in a forest c. fertile soil d. oil e. fish populations

d. oil

Which of the following is the list of macronutrients needed to sustain good health? a. vitamin A, C, and iodine b. vitamin A, C, and E c. iodine, protein, and carbohydrate d. protein, carbohydrate, and fats e. protein, carbohydrate, and nucleic acids

d. protein, carbohydrate, and fats

The three principles of sustainability are ______________ a. solar energy, biodiversity and perpetual energy b. use of natural capital to support human economies c. use of renewable resources, but no use of nonrenewable resources d. solar energy, biodiversity and chemical cycling e. biodiversity, use of perpetual resources and widespread reduction of use

d. solar energy, biodiversity and chemical cycling

The term malnutrition refers to people who a. eat less than the basic minimum number of daily calories b. eat balanced meals c. eat too much d. suffer from lack of protein and other key nutrients e. eat too much protein

d. suffer from lack of protein and other key nutrients

Perhaps the most important thingenvironmental effects of pesticides, and her publication "Silent Spring," is a. the number of errors in the book b. her failure to include a discussion about Integrated Pest Management c. that it laid the groundwork for later, more serious work d. that many historians consider her work to be an important contribution to the modern environmental movement emerging in the United States e. that it is a remarkable book considering it was written by a person without any scientific training

d. that many historians consider her work to be an important contribution to the modern environmental movement emerging in the United States

The resource consumption of the average person in the United States is about ________ times that of the average citizen of India, and about _______ times that of the average person in the world's poorest countries. a. 2, 10 b. 5, 10 c. 8.6, 15 d. 25, 50 e. 30, 100

e. 30, 100

How many units of energy are required to produce one unit of grain-fed beef? a. one b. 10 c. 15 d. 25 e. 35

e. 35

In 2009, the world population is about a. 6.0 billion people b. 2.0 billion people c. 9.0 billion people d. 8.0 million people e. 7.0 billion people

e. 7.0 billion people

What proportion of food products sold on U.S. supermarket shelves contains some form of genetically engineered crop? a. 20% b. 30% c. 50% d. 60% e. 70%

e. 70%

Developed countries a. are high-income b. are low-income c. use about 88% of the world's resources d. make up about 80% of the world's population e. Are high-income and use about 88% of the worlds resources

e. Are high-income and use about 88% of the worlds resources

Which of the following best describes the areas of study that are important in the discipline of environmental science? a. Biology. b. Chemistry and geology c. Economics and biology d. Economics and chemistry e. Biology, chemistry, geology and economics

e. Biology, chemistry, geology and economics

Evidence that we are living unsustainably includes which of the following? a. Renewable forests are shrinking. b. Topsoil is eroding, and the lower atmosphere is warming. c. Deserts are expanding. d. Deserts are shrinking. e. Deserts are expanding, renewable forests are shrinking, topsoil is eroding and the lower atmosphere is warming.

e. Deserts are expanding, renewable forests are shrinking, topsoil is eroding and the lower atmosphere is warming.

You have decided to install solar collectors on the roof of your home that will cut your use of propane gas to heat both your hot water tank and the living spaces in your home. In doing so, you are using a ______________resource rather than a ______________resource. a. renewable; nonrenewable b. perpetual; renewable c. renewable; perpetual d. nonrenewable; renewable e. perpetual; nonrenewable

e. perpetual; nonrenewable

Which of the following is a goal of environmental science? a. Learn how life on earth has thrived and survived. b. Understand how we interact with the environment. c. Live more sustainably and find ways to deal with environmental problems. d. Learn how life on earth has thrived and survived and understand how we interact with the environment. e. Learn how life on earth has thrived and survived, understand how we interact with the environment, and live more sustainably and find ways to deal with environmental problems.

e. Learn how life on earth has thrived and survived, understand how we interact with the environment, and live more sustainably and find ways to deal with environmental problems.

The Environmental Working Group estimates that you could reduce your pesticide intake by up to 90% by eating only 100% organic a. tomatoes and lettuce b. lettuce, imported grapes, sweet bell peppers, peaches, apples and celery c. nectarines, cherries, strawberries, spinache, pears and potatoes d. choices a and b are both correct e. choices b and c are both correct

e. choices b and c are both correct

Conservation tillage a. increases labor costs b. increases erosion c. increases energy consumption d. accelerates water loss from the soil e. decreases erosion

e. decreases erosion

Which of the following is a form of natural capital gained directly or indirectly as a result of solar energy? a. forests b. flowing water and wind energy c. wind energy only d. coal and oil e. forests, flowing water, wind energy, coal and oil.

e. forests, flowing water, wind energy, coal and oil.

Which of the following is a micronutrient, which without sufficient quantities in a diet can result in goiter? a. protein b. carbohydrates c. vitamin A d. vitamin C e. iodine

e. iodine

The process least likely to conserve soil nutrients is a. crop rotation b. fertilizing with compost c. fertilizing with green manure d. fertilizing with animal manure e. irrigation

e. irrigation

China currently a. has the second largest economy on the planet b. is the world's largest producer of wind turbines, and is projected to soon be the largest producer of solar cells c. is the second largest economy on the planet and is the world's largest producer and consumer of cars. d. is the world's largest producer and consumer of cars, and is the largest producer of solar cells. e. is the second largest economy on the planet, is the world's largest producer of wind turbines and cars, and is projected to soon be the world's largest producer of solar cells.

e. is the second largest economy on the planet, is the world's largest producer of wind turbines and cars, and is is projected to soon be the world's largest producer of solar cells.

The IPAT model states that the key factor in environmental impact in a. developing countries is resource use b. developing countries is population size c. developed countries is resource use d. developed countries is population size e. more than one of these answers

e. more than one of these answers

Nonrenewable resources include a. oil b. minerals c. salt and sand d. coal e. oil, minerals, salt, sand and coal

e. oil, minerals, salt, sand and coal

Which of the following problems with nutrition do you think is most prevalent in the United States? a. malnutrition b. under nutrition c. micronutrition d. chronic hunger e. overnutrition

e. overnutrition

The total ecological footprint for humanity is expected to be a. twice the planet's ecological capacity by the year 2015 b. 30% higher than the planet's ecological capacity by the year 2035 c. 60% higher than the planet's ecological capacity by the year 2035 d. 30% higher than the planet's ecological capacity by the year 2015 e. twice the planet's ecological capacity by the year 2035

e. twice the planet's ecological capacity by the year 2035

Which of the following best describes the concept of environmental degradation? a. using solar power at a rapid rate b. growing crops for food c. cutting trees for wood products faster than the trees can regrow to maturity d. letting agricultural runoff cause oxygen depletion and fish kills downstream e. two of these answers

e. two of these answers

One of the reasons biodiversity is such an important aspect of sustainability is the fact that_________ a. cycling chemicals maintains a ready supply of new materials for water, soil and food b. it is the ultimate source of energy for plants c. interactions among species provide population controls that limits ultimate population sizes of many species d. it provides water purification and topsoil renewable e. two of these answers are correct

e. two of these answers are correct

A fictional vision of a more environmentally healthy planet in the future uses which of the following fuels and renewable energy resources? a. underground heat only b. algae only c. sun and wind only d. flowing water only e. underground heat, algae, sun and wind, and flowing water

e. underground heat, algae, sun and wind and flowing water

Which of the following is a likely scenario for an organic farm? a. use of synthetic pesticides b. use of synthetic fertilizers c. use of genetically engineered seeds d. use feed additives e. use of feed that contains no antibiotics

e. use of feed that contains no antibiotics

According to pesticide proponents, pesticides a. work fast b. increase profit for farmers c. save lives and work fast d. increase food supplies and profit for farmers e. work fast, increase profit, save lives, and increase food supplies

e. work fast, increase profit, save lives, and increase food supplies

When we exceed a renewable resource's natural replacement rate, the available supply begins to shrink through a process known as ____________________.

environmental degradation

Developing countries can be classified as moderately developed, middle-income, or as ____________________, least developed.

low-income

Pesticides blown from agricultural lands into the air is an example of ______________ pollution.

non-point source

A resource such as solar energy that is renewed continuously is a called a(n) ______________________.

perpetual resource

Pollution ____________________ is cheaper and more effective than pollution ____________________.

prevention, cleanup

The action of processing plastic or aluminum cans into another usable product is called ____________________.

recycling

A(n) ________________is anything obtained from the environment to meet our needs and wants.

resource

Old drink bottles that are collected, washed, and refilled are an example of ____________________.

reuse

Natural capital is comprised of natural resources and natural ____________________.

services

The highest rate at which a renewable resource can be used indefinitely without reducing its available supply is called its ____________________.

sustainable yield