ENVS203: Environmental Ethics, Justice, and World Views
Which of the following would best epitomize the views advocated by Deep Ecologists?
A federal wilderness area
What are "care ethics"?
An approach toward the treatment of animals based on emotion and sympathy rather than rationality
Which US state has frequently enacted state environmental laws that are more stringent than federal laws?
California
What is one of the great challenges to testing the Gaia Theory, according to Lovelock?
Earth's systemic complexity
One of the most important provisions of the Clean Air Act is Section 112. What does this section do?
Establishes emission standards for hazardous air pollutants
Which of the following is an important provision of the 1977 Clean Water Act amendments?
Giving EPA the authority to clean up oil and hazardous pollution up to 200 miles offshore
Which of the following is a central concept of the Gaia Theory?
Homeostasis, a state in which all organisms play an integrated role in sustaining life
2. Which of the following terms is most applicable to Gaia Theory?
Interdependence
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the Endangered Species Act?
It is ecocentric, since it provides for protection of species as well as the ecosystems in which they live
Which of the following is a basic premise of ecofeminism?
Men have historically objectified and exploited nature throughout history much as they have women
Which of the following constitutes the largest number of properties in the National Forest system?
Research and experimental forests
Which of the following assertions is central to Leopold's land ethic?
That issues of land use are exclusively economic issues
Which of the following laws attempted to address a crash in the Maine lobster population?
The Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976
. The impetus for the establishment of the NEPA emerged partly out of a controversy among competing government agencies in which of the following locales?
The Florida everglades
. What period do most environmental historians mark as the beginning of significant human influence over the environment?
The Holocene period
. What piece of legislation was enacted to force governmental agencies to consider the effect of their decisions on the environment?
The National Environmental Policy Act
1. Which of the following is a premise of Deep Ecology?
The adoption of a holistic view of nature
. Which of the following events immediately preceded, and partly precipitated, the establishment of the EPA?
The burning of the Cuyahoga River
1. What was the primary purpose of the Bureau of Reclamation?
To develop various irrigation and water storage projects
Which of the following best describes the goal of the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968?
To limit the spread of nuclear weapons worldwide
What does Congress generally consider to be the biggest threat to the nation's water resources
Toxic substances in the water supply
Which of the following best describes how the National forests are managed?
Utilitarian conservation
Which environmental ethic is exemplified by Pinchot's quote advocating "the greatest good for the greatest number"?
Utilitarian conservationist
_______ argued for a biocentric or "life-centered" environmental ethic. Select one: a.Aldo Leopold b.Kenneth Goodpaster c.Paul Taylor d.Arne Naes
b.Kenneth Goodpaster
Where would you find the most cases of environmental injustice based on income inequality as the governing factor? Select one: a.Wall Street in New York City b.A rural area of England c.New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina d.Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates
c. New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina
Which of the following is a law that established the President's Council on Environmental Quality on January 1, 1970? Select one: a.The Endangered Species Act b.The Rivers and Harbors Act c.The National Environmental Policy Act d.The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
c. The National Environmental Policy Act
Which of the following is an example of internalized oppression? Select one: a.A disabled veteran on Social Security benefits is refused service at the local Veterans Affairs hospital b.A minority immigrant who owns three laundromats is denied a mortgage in a middle-class neighborhood c.A minority is offered an academic scholarship to a prestigious school instead chooses to attend the local community college d.A single mother is passed over for a promotion despite having better qualifications and more experience than her male peers
c. A minority is offered an academic scholarship to a prestigious school instead chooses to attend the local community college
2. In 1978, why did the EPA begin to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)?
CFCs destroy the ozone layer, which prevents excessive ultraviolet radiation from reaching earth
Which two governmental bodies oversee the Endangered Species Act?
The Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce
What will be the planet's most likely response to human-induced climate change, according to Lovelock?
The adaptation of the planet to a system that is significantly warmer and drier
What is the name of the agency of the US federal government which was created on December 2, 1970, for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulation based on laws passed by Congress? Select one: a.Agency for International Development b.Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry c.Occupational Safety and Health Agency d.Environmental Protection Agency
d. Environmental Protection Agency
What provision of the NEPA is generally considered to be its most potent tool, at least for environmental activists?
A requirement for environmental impact statements for all major federal development projects
What is Daisyworld, in Gaia Theory?
A simulated planet used to explain earth's self-regulating properties
. Which issue are all of the Sierra Club's main programs centered around?
Climate change
Earth Day was noteworthy as an event for which of the following reasons?
It spurred people to action but didn't prescribe specific activities
Which of the following is seen as one of the long-term benefits of Earth Day?
It unified a variety of environmental groups and causes and focused attention on action
What is the oldest federal environmental law in the United States? Select one: a.The Oil Pollution Act b.The River and Harbor Act c.The Safe Drinking Water Act d.The National Environmental Policy Act
b.The River and Harbor Act
The variety of interactions between humans and animals is the subject matter of: Select one: a.palaeomagnetic studies. b.biological evidence. c.ethnozoology. d.mythological studies
c.ethnozoology.
Match each religion or group with its defining viewpoint about the environment. Believers are not to kill any living creature in the environment because the separation of humans as something distinct from the environment is an illusion. Believers are supposed to be "stewards of the Earth" and environment. "Knowing the land" is the basis for environmental respect and responsibility. Believers worship the sun, stars, rivers, trees and the animals. Climate has a significant effect on human health, temperament, and intelligence. Teaches that the environment, like humankind, has certain unalienable rights that are endowed to it by its Creator. As such they should not be summarily dismissed or violated. All life is "creatures of God" and therefore animal abuse, factory farming, vivisection, and hunting are viewed unfavorably.
→ Buddhism, → Christianity, " → Native American, . → Hinduism, → Ancient Greece, . → Judaism, → Islam
In 2018, overall recycling rates in the United States dropped significantly for the first time in nearly 50 years. What was the cause of the decline in recycling? Select one: a.China instituted a ban on nearly all imports of plastic waste b.Dozens of new landfills were established in six Western states c.Waste-to-energy costs declined, increasing demand for plastic for incinerators d.Several states passed laws that reduced the amount of material used in packaging goods
a. China instituted a ban on nearly all imports of plastic waste
Brazilian environmental activist Chico Mendes is known for his work in preserving the Amazon rainforest, and the policy he created influences how we view the Amazon today. Mendes was assassinated in 1988 by a cattle farmer, and his death made international headlines. How did he blend environmental ethics with other social ethics in his fight for the rainforest? Select one: a.He fought for the rights of indigenous people and sustainable ways to tap rubber b.He brought his family into the forest to show that they were not afraid to tap trees c.He worked to obtain more money for the rubber from the tapped trees in the Amazon d.He lobbied in Washington, DC for the rubber companies to better compensate workers
a. He fought for the rights of indigenous people and sustainable ways to tap rubber
Which of the following beliefs does deep ecology rely on? Select one: a.Humanity and the larger ecosystem form an interdependent whole, and thus have the same inherent rights and value b.By avoiding anthropocentrism, humans will focus on the needs of nature, which will be manifested in their thoughts and actions c.Logical scientific argument and deep knowledge hold the key to answering the questions about how humans should live on Earth d.Ecological consciousness is innate and cannot be taught, making it different from political and other types of thought-based consciousness
a. Humanity and the larger ecosystem form an interdependent whole, and thus have the same inherent rights and value
Why is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) sometimes referred to as the "Magna Carta" of US environmental law? Select one: a.It brought environmental protection considerations to the forefront of national policy b.It is the oldest and most enduring of all the laws pertaining to environmental protection in the US c.It establishes a charter for negotiating environmental agreements between the US and foreign nations d.It is structured so as to equally distribute the authority to create environmental laws between federal and state authorities
a. It brought environmental protection considerations to the forefront of national policy
What is the central concept of the Gaia hypothesis? Select one: a.Living organisms and non-living integrate to create a self-regulating homeostasis on Earth. b.Climate change will lead to devastating impacts on our society. c.Mass extinction for the human race is inevitable. d.All species have equal value on Earth.
a. Living organisms and non-living integrate to create a self-regulating homeostasis on Earth.
Which of the following statements best defines metaethics? Select one: a.Metaethics is the branch of ethics that seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties and ethical statements, attitudes, and judgments. b.Metaethics asks questions about which actions are right and wrong or which character traits are good and bad. c.Metaethics emphasizes the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy. d.Metaethics deals with ethical questions specific to a professional, disciplinary, or practical field.
a. Metaethics is the branch of ethics that seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties and ethical statements, attitudes, and judgments.
Which of the following is one of the goals of the mainstream environmental rights movement? Select one: a.Protecting people from environmental harm caused by the actions of others b.Protecting heritage sites, regardless of the cost to the surrounding communities c.Creating international laws primarily to protect large tracts of forest and ocean resources d.Moving people from religious-based ideals to more secular, evidence-based decision-making
a. Protecting people from environmental harm caused by the actions of others
Which act gave power to all branches of the government to give proper consideration to the environment and was the first time a national framework was given to preserve the environment before building airports and large structures? Select one: a.The National Environmental Policy Act b.The Safe Drinking Water Act c.The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act d.Resource Conservation and Recovery Ac
a. The National Environmental Policy Act
What was the main purpose of the Endangered Species Act of 1973? Select one: a.To protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend b.To calculate a fair price for high-value animals c.To regulate the type of animals kept as pets d.To create new species through genetic modification
a. To protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend
Which of the following is a central question in the field of environmental ethics? Select one: a.Does the non-human world have inherent value? b.Are human beings responsible to care for other forms of life? c.Is there a limit to the extent to which we safeguard biodiversity? d.Should we value all living species as equal - or even superior - to humans?
a. Does the non-human world have inherent value?
hich of the following best describes the field of environmental ethics? Select one: a.A discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings to their physical surroundings b.A branch of ethics that asks which actions are right and wrong or which character traits are good and bad c.A branch of ethics that seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties and ethical statements, attitudes, and judgments d.A field of ethics that deals with ethical questions specific to a professional, disciplinary, or practical field
a.A discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings to their physical surroundings
Environmental law developed in the United States in the 1960s. Around the same time, the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency came into being as well as other environmental protection laws related to pollution and endangered species. What was the Western intellectual movement that accompanied these actions? Select one: a.Environmentalism b.Feminism c.Humanism d.Postmodernism
a.Environmentalism
Which of the following could be considered a distributive environmental injustice? Select one: a.Prevalence of hazardous chemical plants in low-income neighborhoods b.Inadequate enforcement of laws designed to protect citizens from pollution c.Gerrymandered congressional districts that limit representation by minorities d.Regentrification policies that marginalize and/or dislocate under-represented populations
a.Prevalence of hazardous chemical plants in low-income neighborhoods
What is the fundamental lesson taught by Daisyworld, according to Gaia theory? Select one: a.That the planet is a self-regulating mechanism b.That plant life forms the foundation of all life on earth c.That certain keystone species play a critical role in sustaining life d.That Earth only flourishes when treated with respect and tended properly
a.That the planet is a self-regulating mechanism
The creation of this first National Park, in 1872, changed the course of environmental attitudes because it paved the way for more National Parks to be created and provided a way for environmental preservation to be practiced in the United States in the years to come. People began to see the environment as an asset that should be conserved so that all may enjoy it. Select one: a.Yellowstone b.Yosemite c.Grand Canyon d.Sequoia National Park
a.Yellowstone
A toxic tort is a particular type of personal injury lawsuit against a: Select one: a.manufacturer or distributor of a chemical product which causes an injury or illness. b.state government for failure to warn of a natural disaster like a tornado or earthquake. c.group of defendants who have caused an environmental disaster like a hazardous waste site. d.federal government for failing to clean up toxic waste that occurs after a disaster like the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima Japan in 2011.
a.manufacturer or distributor of a chemical product which causes an injury or illness.
Which of the following is a noteworthy change in religious views regarding nature that could be used as a means for environmental action? Select one: a.Traditional religions now overtly support the intrinsic value of nature as a higher ethic than nature's value to humans b.Christianity has moved away from its reliance on dualism and exploitation and moved toward conservation and stewardship c.The number of Westerners who have been attracted to eastern religions and Native American spirituality has greatly increased d.Judaism and Islam have modified their original positions on human stewardship separating humans that protect nature from nature itself
b. Christianity has moved away from its reliance on dualism and exploitation and moved toward conservation and stewardship
One model of social change is the Pearl Harbor model, in which a single event changes everything that comes afterward. What actions show the shift in environmental attitudes in the United States directly after the first Earth Day in 1970? Select one: a.Climate science programs were created in universities across the country b.Congress began to pass environmental legislation with large bipartisan majorities c.Rachel Carson's Silent Spring spent thirty-one weeks on the New York Times bestseller list d.The National Toxics Campaign and other pollution and contamination initiatives were launched
b. Congress began to pass environmental legislation with large bipartisan majorities
Which of the following best explains Garret Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons"? Select one: a.Attempts to alter the character of public spaces inevitably reduces their utility b.Individuals acting in their own self-interest will lead to a collective depletion of shared resources c.Even stringent regulations against the overuse of natural resources are limited in their effectiveness d.The consolidation of resources by wealthy individuals invariably reduces their availability to the common man
b. Individuals acting in their own self-interest will lead to a collective depletion of shared resources
In 1948, twenty people were killed and thousands more were affected by air pollution in Donora, Pennsylvania. Federal laws regarding air pollution were passed in 1955, 1963, and 1967, culminating in the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. Why is the Clean Air Act considered one of the most influential environmental laws in the world? Select one: a.It provided the first funding source for federal research in air pollution b.It gave the federal government authority to enforce pollution regulations c.It instituted enforcement protocols for the interstate transport of pollution d.It established a federal program within the Public Health Service for monitoring air pollution
b. It gave the federal government authority to enforce pollution regulations
What makes ethics and morals difficult to separate? Select one: a.An individual's personal worldview is the determining factor in deciding what is ethical but not what is moral b.It is often difficult for the individual to separate that which is innately knowable from that which is culturally based and acceptable c.After considerable debate over the centuries, philosophers and scholars have failed to lay down clear lines that separate morals from ethics d.Morality can be separated from politics because public issues, rather than personal ones, are at stake, but ethics cannot be separated from politics
b. It is often difficult for the individual to separate that which is innately knowable from that which is culturally based and acceptable
The Stockholm Convention addressed the elimination and control of persistent organic pollutants, or POPS. Which of the following statements about POPS is true? (Select two answers.) Select one or more: a.POPS may only be transported by air. b.POPS that are generated in one country can affect people and wildlife far from where they are released. c.POPS cannot cause reproductive disorders. d.POPS tend to be short lived and therefore they can be controlled over time. e.POPS can accumulate and pass from one species to the next through the food chain
b. POPS that are generated in one country can affect people and wildlife far from where they are released. and d. POPS tend to be short lived and therefore they can be controlled over time.
As business and industry become increasingly involved in environmental policy decision-making, the public (especially in developing countries) has become concerned about the long-term consequences of private sector leadership on environmental management. What is the basis of those concerns? Select one: a.Large multinational companies would have an unfair advantage, jeopardizing local businesses particularly in least developed countries b.Prior privatization of environmental policies and decisions failed to adequately integrate environmental and social concerns into the process c.Companies would not share vital environmental data with countries that they require to meet their obligations under Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement d.Privatization would undermine the authority and rule making capability of the United Nations and its environmental programs would be taken over by business
b. Prior privatization of environmental policies and decisions failed to adequately integrate environmental and social concerns into the process
Which of the following statements pertains to the US Forest Service? (Select two answers.) Select one or more: a.Theodore Roosevelt was the first chief. b.The Forest Service motto is "Caring for the Land and Serving People." c.Congress established the Forest Service in 1910. d.The Forest Service is a federal agency under the Department of the Interior. e.The Forest Service Mission is sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
b. The Forest Service motto is "Caring for the Land and Serving People." and e. The Forest Service Mission is sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Which of the following is one reason that environmental injustice issues affect poor people disproportionately? Select one: a.The poor tend to live in rental facilities where property taxes frequently go unpaid b.The poor are often resigned to living in cheaper, more environmentally hazardous areas c.Poor families often have large families, leading to domicile and neighborhood overcrowding d.Poor people frequently have to work several jobs, and are unaware of issues in their neighborhoods
b. The poor are often resigned to living in cheaper, more environmentally hazardous areas
Placing toxic or heavy-polluting facilities in or near neighborhoods of color is one manifestation of environmental racism, but other less obvious forms exist. What was the result of the accusation that the "Big 10" environmental groups, including the NRDC, were engaging in racial discrimination in their hiring policies and practices? Select one: a.They mandated that racial minorities be placed in top board and leadership positions b.They added people of color to their staff and began developing environmental justice initiatives c.They developed diversity statements and profiles to showcase their commitment to antidiscrimination d.They moved their facilities to areas where those individuals who were discriminated against lived and worked
b. They added people of color to their staff and began developing environmental justice initiatives
What is the practical purpose of environmental ethics? Select one: a.To develop alternative energy sources for people in developing countries b.To change fundamental attitudes about the relationship of humans and nature c.To make laws that protect nature, endangered species, and ecosystem services d.To give preference to the rights of the most vulnerable people over those with higher living standards
b. To change fundamental attitudes about the relationship of humans and nature
How can oppression be defined in a framework for environmental justice? Select one: a.The denial of opportunities, rights, and or freedoms to one or more groups that other groups in the society enjoy. It is the failure to treat all people as of equal worth, and to acknowledge their full humanity b.When people are not only distinguished between but are also subject to physical and psychological brutality, to include worse living conditions due to pollution; greater risk of environmental catastrophe and more severe outcomes from environmental events; and more difficult access to green spaces and healthful food, water, air, etc. c.People in the same group believe (often unconsciously) the misinformation and stereotypes that society communicates about other members of their group d.Being selected above others as a result of natural ability
b. When people are not only distinguished between but are also subject to physical and psychological brutality, to include worse living conditions due to pollution; greater risk of environmental catastrophe and more severe outcomes from environmental events; and more difficult access to green spaces and healthful food, water, air, etc.
Which of the following lists accurately reflects the goals of the Hierarchy of Waste Management, from least favored to most favored option? Select one: a.Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Avoid b.Disposal, Recycling, Reuse, Prevention c.Reuse, Prevention, Disposal, Minimization d.Minimization, Reuse, Recycling, Energy Recovery
b. Disposal, Recycling, Reuse, Prevention
Some laws indirectly address environmental rights, while others are directed toward individuals or groups who have been adversely affected by their environment because of the actions of others. Which of the following laws or acts directly addresses environmental rights? Select one: a.Biological Control Act, Australia, guidance for regulatory agencies addressing conflicts from the release of biocontrol agents b.National Green Tribunal Act, India, for expeditious decisions in environmental court cases together with damage compensation c.Flood and Water Management Act, UK, for strategic flood and coastal erosion risk management to safeguard communities d.Marine Pollution Act, Netherlands, for prohibiting pollution on surface waters of waste substances to be specified by a Ministerial Decree
b. National Green Tribunal Act, India, for expeditious decisions in environmental court cases together with damage compensation
________ is a system of beliefs which holds humans as the central and most important being in the universe. Select one: a.Ecocentrism b.Anthropocentrism. c.Deep ecology d.Biocentrism
b.Anthropocentrism
Which groups face higher risks of environmental violence and environmental injustice? (Select two answers.) Select one or more: a.Able bodied men ages 24 to 35 b.Children and adolescents under age 15 c.Women in low income urban neighborhoods d.Ethnic majority populations, regardless of country e.Professionals in Western Europe and North America
b.Children and adolescents under age 15 and c.Women in low income urban neighborhoods
Which of the following statements is most accurate? Select one: a.Muir espouses an ecocentric view of nature b.Pinchot espouses an ecocentric view of nature c.Muir espouses an anthropocentric view of nature d.Muir and Pinchot are equally anthropocentric in their view of nature
b.Pinchot espouses an ecocentric view of nature
The Gaia hypothesis discusses how the distinction between the "living" and "nonliving" parts of Earth may not be as clear-cut as scientists originally thought. Which of the following are some scientific findings that support the Gaia hypothesis? Select one: a.Multispectral imaging is exposing clear boundaries between the physical components of the earth and the biosphere b.The mineral history of Earth shows that most of the existing minerals would not exist without the presence of life on Earth c.Carbon from the Earth's mantle does not reach the surface, so biological organisms must be responsible for the carbon found at the surface d.The atmosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere are responsible for the changes on Earth to which life must adapt if it is to survive
b.The mineral history of Earth shows that most of the existing minerals would not exist without the presence of life on Earth
One application of ethical behavior and morals in environmental science is the ethical treatment of animals. Who argued for the total abolition of using animals in science and the total elimination of commercial and sport hunting and trapping? Select one: a.Peter Singer b.Tom Regan c.Immanuel Kant d.Mary Anne Warren
b.Tom Regan
Who pushed for government regulations concerning toxic industrial chemicals? Select one: a.Theodore Roosevelt b.Benjamin Franklin c.Alice Hamilton d.Rachel Carson
c. Alice Hamilton
____ utilized for private benefit will always be vulnerable to exploitation. Select one: a.Public goods b.Toll goods c.Common goods d.Private goods
c. Common goods
Which characterization of environmental justice fits the criteria for the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit Principles of Environmental Justice held in 1991? Select one: a.Environmental justice calls for the disbanding of destructive multilateral corporations b.Environmental justice bans nuclear testing, extraction, production, and disposal of toxic wastes that threaten the right to clean air, land, water, and food c.Environmental justice must recognize a special legal and natural right of people of color in relation to US Government treaties, agreements, compacts, and covenants d.Environmental justice considers governmental acts of environmental injustice a violation of international law, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the United Nations Convention on Genocide
c. Environmental justice must recognize a special legal and natural right of people of color in relation to US Government treaties, agreements, compacts, and covenants
How does the Environmental Protection Agency define environmental justice? Select one: a.Giving preferential treatment to minority groups with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies b.Ensuring peace throughout the world by considering the environment with all of our actions. c.Fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. d.Ensuring that we do what is right
c. Fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
As a subset of environmental ethics, Ecofeminism is premised on what basic tenet? Select one: a.It recognizes the inherent sexual duality that exists among all living organisms b.It explores the historical role that women have played in preserving natural areas c.It analyzes connections between the domination of nature and the exploitation of women d.It extends the concept of Gaia ("mother earth") to include responsibilities towards other humans
c. It analyzes connections between the domination of nature and the exploitation of women
The Confederation of the Six Nations of the Iroquois have declared adherence to Gayanashagowa, or "the Great Binding Law". What is the primary purpose of this law for the Iroquois? Select one: a.It declares that all native people should have input in determining appropriate uses of land b.It provides a framework for native people to address environmental problems at the local level c.It establishes an obligation to take future generations' interests into account in all decision-making d.It codifies the means through which tribal leaders act on, pursue, or respond to environmental problems
c. It establishes an obligation to take future generations' interests into account in all decision-making
In 2015, Pope Francis joined the United Nations Secretary General in making sustainable development a moral imperative and calling for action on climate change. In claiming that nations have "differentiated responsibilities" regarding climate change, Francis established what ethical premise to show that climate change is the defining element of our time and part of a moral imperative? Select one: a.The need for a global agreement on climate is universal, fair, and ambitious b.Humans are tasked to be good stewards of God's creation and to improve the climate to the extent possible c.Those who suffer the most are those who did the least to cause the problems associated with climate change d.Climate ethics should be based on scientific claims by the IPCC and other major scientific bodies throughout the world
c. Those who suffer the most are those who did the least to cause the problems associated with climate change
Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding ethics? Select one: a.Religious ethics tend to be more rigid than secular ethics b.Reconciliation is the process by which we develop ethical standards c.Virtue ethics emphasize what we should be, while action ethics emphasize what we should do d.Individual ethics explain internal thought processes, while group ethics explain our interactions with other
c. Virtue ethics emphasize what we should be, while action ethics emphasize what we should do
The establishment of which national park marks the beginning of codified land protection efforts by the United States government? Select one: a.Acadia National Park in Maine b.Yosemite National Park in California c.Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho d.Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina
c. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights takes a human rights-based approach to ethics. What problems are inherent in a rights-based theory of ethics? Select one: a.A rights-based approach does not take into account changes in a person's moral character b.A rights-based approach lacks a logical basis or rationale for deciding an individual's obligations to society c.A rights-based approach must be used in conjunction with another ethical theory to consistently explain a society's goals d.A rights-based approach compares the various types of consequences against each other on a similar scale to predict outcomes
c. A rights-based approach must be used in conjunction with another ethical theory to consistently explain a society's goals
One of the great challenges of environmental ethics is to overcome the human capacity for normalization. Normalization can be described as our ability to do which of the following? Select one: a.Communicate using written language as a cross-cultural medium b.Create consistent and controlled environments conducive to human productivity c.Accept and adapt to rapidly changing environmental circumstances and technology d.Increase the food supply by mass producing certain grains and domesticated animals
c. Accept and adapt to rapidly changing environmental circumstances and technology
Which of the following is one distinction between morals and ethics? Select one: a.Morals address issues of fairness, while ethics address issues of decency b.Morals are responses to stimuli, while ethics are reflections on a response c.Morality is developed by the individual, while ethics are developed by the collective d.Moral conflicts occur between individuals, which ethical conflict occur among groups
c. Morality is developed by the individual, while ethics are developed by the collective
In 2017, three rivers were given legal status as minors who would require guardians: the Yamuna and Ganga Rivers in India and the Whanganui River in New Zealand. What must be in place in order to enforce the legal rights of these rivers? Select one: a.Legal recognition of indigenous rights to sacred places b.Scientific authentication of endangered species or habitats c.A person with legal expertise appointed to act on its behalf d.UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and/or World Heritage designation
c.A person with legal expertise appointed to act on its behalf
Who suggested that throughout the history of ethics there has been an underlying theme of moral extensionism. From this, an ethic for nature (i.e., the land) can evolve. Select one: a.Paul Taylor b.Jeremy Bentham c.Aldo Leopold d.Richard Watson
c.Aldo Leopold
What are the three main approaches to environmental ethics? Select one: a.Feminist, bio-regionalist, and ecological b.Normative, procedural, and paradigmatic c.Anthropocentric, extensionist, and holistic d.Contractarian, egalitarian, and individualistic
c.Anthropocentric, extensionist, and holistic
Which of the following is an indicator that environmental justice has its basis in the civil rights movement? Select one: a.Both are based on Cartesian dualism and the philosophical conclusions of John Locke b.Both embrace the anthropocentric view that people are superior to non-human species c.Both share the common goals of social justice, equal protection, and ending institutional discrimination d.Both place a primary emphasis on people's impact on the environmental conditions in which the disenfranchised live and work
c.Both share the common goals of social justice, equal protection, and ending institutional discrimination
The creation of the _______ was part of the response to growing public concern and a grassroots movement to "do something" about the deteriorating conditions of water, air, and land in the United States. Select one: a.United Nations Environment Program b.Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act c.Environmental Protection Agency d.National Environmental Policy Act
c.Environmental Protection Agency
Which of the following best describes Environmental Assessment with respect to the European Union? Select one: a.It is a mechanism to reconcile similar environmental laws across EU member nations b.It is a process to measure and evaluate the impact of projects to determine ongoing environmental impacts c.It is a procedure that ensures environmental implications of decisions are considered before decisions are made d.It is model to determine whether a given project in one EU member will adversely affect residents of adjacent member nations
c.It is a procedure that ensures environmental implications of decisions are considered before decisions are made
What philosopher is credited with initiating inquiry into environmental sustainability and environmental ethics? Select one: a.Aristotle b.Nietzsche c.Socrates d. Descartes
c.Socrates
Which of the following best describes sustainability? Select one: a.Preserving and renewing, when possible, human and natural resources b.The adaptation of a plant or animal so as to be cultivated by and beneficial to human c.The ability for something to continue and last, to be long-lived, and not be quickly or easily used up or abused d.An area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man is a visitor who does not remain
c.The ability for something to continue and last, to be long-lived, and not be quickly or easily used up or abused
In 2016, the proposed Dakota Access pipeline generated extensive controversy and led to numerous protests, due to what issue regarding environmental justice? Select one: a.The contract for the pipeline was given to Hammerman Smith, a firm known for environmental violations b.The pipeline is designed to transport natural gas derived from fracking, which causes substantial ecological damage c.The pipeline was to pass under Lake Oahe, which provides the drinking water for the local Sioux Reservation d.Construction workers on the pipeline were largely made up of immigrant workers and other vulnerable populations
c.The pipeline was to pass under Lake Oahe, which provides the drinking water for the local Sioux Reservation
Which of the following statements best reflects Socrates' ethical philosophy? Select one: a.Inquiry leads to collective understanding b.Values emerge naturally from a pious life c.Truth alone should be the basis of all action d.Piety is a direct result of the formation of values
c.Truth alone should be the basis of all action
What is ethics? (Select two answers.) Select one or more: a.Studying what is right and what is wrong b.Understanding how burning gasoline effects the environment c.Understanding what is good and what is bad d.Surveying the amount of oil reserves that exist globally e.Ethics is an exact science
c.Understanding what is good and what is bad and a.Studying what is right and what is wrong
Much of US energy policy since 2000 has focused on the development of clean energy sources, especially renewable energy like wind and solar. As of 2018, which of the following is true with respect to energy use in the United States? Select one: a.If current trends continue, total US energy production should achieve carbon-neutral status no later than 2040 b.Over the last several years, US energy consumption has begun to fall after several years of significant increase c.While the use of coal has declined, overall fossil fuel production continues to rise due to increased use of oil and natural gas d.Taken together, renewable energy (wind, solar, hydro and biomass) now constitutes the largest portion of US energy production
c.While the use of coal has declined, overall fossil fuel production continues to rise due to increased use of oil and natural gas
Why did local residents near the Chevron Oil Refinery in Richmond, California, believe that the response to a refinery fire in 2012 was not treated as seriously as it could have been? Select one: a.A large number of the population work at the refinery and did not want to lose their jobs. b.A large number of the population became worried about local endangered species. c.A large number of the population became worried about the local water quality. d.A large number of the population are a minority race, and as such experienced environmental injustice.
d. A large number of the population are a minority race, and as such experienced environmental injustice.
Match each of the following ethical viewpoints with its definition. The ethical viewpoint that asks what a particular decision says about the character of the person taking the action The ethical viewpoint that says the right action is the action performed because it is required by the moral law The ethical viewpoint that deals with ethical questions specific to a professional, disciplinary, or practical field
1. Virtue Ethics 2. Deontology 3. Applied Ethics
Delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit held October 24-27, 1991, in Washington DC, drafted and adopted 17 principles of environmental justice. Which of the following statements are included among these 17 principles? (Select two answers.) Select one or more: a.Environmental justice protects the right of victims of environmental injustice to receive partial compensation and reparations for damages but will be responsible for their own health care. b.Environmental justice affirms the fundamental right to political, economic, cultural and environmental self- determination of all peoples c.Environmental justice supports military occupation but opposes exploitation of lands, peoples and cultures, and other life forms. d.Environmental justice opposes the destructive operations of multi-national corporations. e.Environmental justice considers governmental acts of environmental injustice equivalent to international law and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights
d. Environmental justice opposes the destructive operations of multi-national corporations. and b.Environmental justice affirms the fundamental right to political, economic, cultural and environmental self- determination of all peoples
Match each research philosopher's name with the concept or argument for which he is most well known. Biocentric egitarianism Gaia hypothesis Value is not inherent but is rather assigned to things by humans Compiled a list of eight principles that are basic to Deep Ecology Land ethic
Biocentric egitarianism → Paul Taylor, Gaia hypothesis → James Lovelock, Value is not inherent but is rather assigned to things by humans → Wilhelm Windleband, Compiled a list of eight principles that are basic to Deep Ecology → George Sessions, Land ethic → Aldo Leopold
In 1959, _________ presented a lecture in which he suggested that the critical intellectual weakness of the latter part of the 20th century was the separation of humanities from sciences Select one: a.Donald Worster b.C.P. Snow c.Darwin Scientists d.Rodrick Nash
C.P. Snow
Who proposed the definition of justice to mean "giving to each what is owed"? Select one: a.Socrates b.Cephalus c.Plato d.Polemarchus
d. Polemarchus
Which of the following claims would be consistent with the philosophy of Immanuel Kant with respect to animal rights? Select one: a.Sentient creatures, defined as those possesses both a brain and a heart, have inherent rights b.Animals have rights to the extent that they possess value to any other species, not just humans c.Animal rights are difficult to establish, since doing so would require a knowledge of God's intent d.Since animals are neither self-conscious nor rational, they do not have moral standing, or direct rights
d. Since animals are neither self-conscious nor rational, they do not have moral standing, or direct rights
What event in 1910 threatened the work and progress of the United States Forest Service? Select one: a.The passing of laws to allow logging in areas where it had previously been prohibited b.The increase in demand for paper products c.The onset of tree diseases across the United States d.The "Forest Fire Storm" of 1910
d. The "Forest Fire Storm" of 1910
What does a geomorphologist study? Select one: a.The structure beneath the land, past changes in this structure, sedimentation, and the time framework b.Reconstruction of the development of field systems, occupation patterns, and technology available in the past c.Scientific dating based on the analysis of tree ring growth patterns d.The shape of the landscape and combines the information of endogenic processes (processes from within the earth), with the erosive power of water, wind and other exogenic influences
d. The shape of the landscape and combines the information of endogenic processes (processes from within the earth), with the erosive power of water, wind and other exogenic influences
How was Theodore Roosevelt exhibiting utilitarian conservation principles when he established the US National Park System? Select one: a.He elevated the status of conserving nature to equal that of providing protection for people b.He showed support at the highest political level for nature's value beyond human consumption c.He supported nature in pursuing its own good on its own terms, protected from human interference d.He asserted that the correct actions will maximize positive consequences over time for the greatest number
d. He asserted that the correct actions will maximize positive consequences over time for the greatest number
Match the date with the event or trend from that year. Invention of mass mining Chernobyl nuclear disaster United States drops atomic bomb James Hansen testifies before Congress about human-induced climate chang
Invention of mass mining → 1899, Chernobyl nuclear disaster → 1986, United States drops atomic bomb → 1945, James Hansen testifies before Congress about human-induced climate change → 1988
One result of the Paris Climate Agreement was an agreed-upon goal to limit global warming to no more than "2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels". However, which of the following is considered a flaw of the agreement? Select one: a.A rise of 2 degrees Celsius is likely to have already occured b.There is no agreement on when the "post-industrial" period begins c.Several nations have no significant industry with which to use as a baseline d.Major polluters like the United States and China refused to sign the agreement
d. Major polluters like the United States and China refused to sign the agreement
Why do some low-income countries accept toxic waste shipped from developed countries? Select one: a.International law protects citizens in countries that accept hazardous or toxic waste b.It provides access to materials that countries can recycle and use in manufacturing goods c.It gives the poorer countries increased political status in negotiating with wealthier nations d.The transaction has immediate benefit to cash-strapped local economies and governments
d. The transaction has immediate benefit to cash-strapped local economies and governments
Why did President Richard Nixon create the EPA? Select one: a.To demonstrate that he understood the values of the environment to the American people b.To establish a legislative successor to the temporary Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) c.To establish a new federal agency with the regulatory authority to oversee federal lands and watershed protection d.To acknowledge popular support for environmental action and bipartisan support in Congress for environmental legislation
d. To acknowledge popular support for environmental action and bipartisan support in Congress for environmental legislation
Leopold's "land ethic" is a version of which of the following belief systems? Select one: a.Anthropocentrism b.Bioregionalism c.Biocentrism d.Ecocentrism
d.Ecocentrism
Which of the following best describes the Sikh approach towards the environment? Select one: a.The phrase bal tashchit is used, meaning "thou shalt not destroy" b.The environment is one, interconnected through all plant and animal species, and should be cared for by all c.An eternal essence of life unites all beings - not only humans, but all other species, animal, and plants - with the universe d.People should respect and live in harmony with the environment: "air is the guru, water is the father, and Earth is the great mother"
d.People should respect and live in harmony with the environment: "air is the guru, water is the father, and Earth is the great mother"
Social change is the result of a clash between what two groups? Select one: a.Workers and Management b.Democrats and Republicans c.Government and the Private Sector d.Social Movements and Machiavellians
d.Social Movements and Machiavellians
What piece of legislation paved the way for the regulatory role of the EPA later the same year? Select one: a.The Oil Pollution Act b.The Endangered Species Act c.CERCLA (also known as Superfund) d.The National Environmental Policy Act
d.The National Environmental Policy Act
Aldo Leopold's seminal work, A Sand County Almanac, culminates with which of the following? Select one: a.A call for the banning of DDT b.The formation of the Gaia Theory c.A proposal to establish "earth day" d.The development of the "land ethic"
d.The development of the "land ethic"
Which of the following are components of biocentrism? (Select two answers.) Select one or more: a.Humans are members of the Earth's community of life, and our membership is just the same as that of all non-human members. b.Humans are superior to other species. c.We need to allow the human population to expand. d.Humans are in control of nature, not just a part of nature e.Each individual organism is a teleological center of life, pursuing its own good in its own way.
e. Each individual organism is a teleological center of life, pursuing its own good in its own way. and a. Humans are members of the Earth's community of life, and our membership is just the same as that of all non-human members.
Which of the following statements about ethics is true? Select one: a.Ethics lead to rational actions b.Ethics are universally agreed upon c.What is ethical in one place may not be ethical in another place d.Ethics are necessarily aligned with what is considered socially acceptable
What is ethical in one place may not be ethical in another place
Match each term with its definition. A basic goal of all waste management strategies .BioaccumulationSomatic effectsSource reductionWaste preventionMill tailingsThe immediate results of radiation exposure BioaccumulationSomatic effectsSource reductionWaste preventionMill tailings_______ consist of residues from the mining and extraction of uranium from its ore. .BioaccumulationSomatic effectsSource reductionWaste preventionMill tailingsAs contaminants move farther up the food chain, _______ results in increased contaminant mass and concentration .BioaccumulationSomatic effectsSource reductionWaste preventionMill tailingsThe collective strategies of design and fabrication of products that minimize the amount and toxicity of generated waste BioaccumulationSomatic effectsSource reductionWaste preventionMill tailings
A basic goal of all waste management strategies → Waste prevention, The immediate results of radiation exposure → Somatic effects, _______ consist of residues from the mining and extraction of uranium from its ore. → Mill tailings, As contaminants move farther up the food chain, _______ results in increased contaminant mass and concentration → Bioaccumulation, The collective strategies of design and fabrication of products that minimize the amount and toxicity of generated waste → Source reduction
1. Which of the following would best describe the land ethic?
Ecocentric
Since 1970, Congress has enacted several important environmental laws and regulations, all of which include provisions to protect the environment and natural resources. Please match the laws with the definition Established national standards for regulating the emission of pollutants from stationary and mobile The Federal Water Pollution Control ActToxic Substances Control ActThe Food Security ActThe Resource Conservation and Recovery ActThe Federal Clean Air ActEstablished cradle-to-grave regulations for the handling of hazardous wastes The Federal Water Pollution Control ActToxic Substances Control ActThe Food Security ActThe Resource Conservation and Recovery ActThe Federal Clean Air ActDiscouraged cultivation of environmentally sensitive lands, especially wetlands, and authorized incentives for farmers to withdraw highly erodible lands from production The Federal Water Pollution Control ActToxic Substances Control ActThe Food Security ActThe Resource Conservation and Recovery ActThe Federal Clean Air ActEstablished water quality standards; provides for the regulation of the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters and for the protection of wetlands .The Federal Water Pollution Control ActToxic Substances Control ActThe Food Security ActThe Resource Conservation and Recovery ActThe Federal Clean Air ActProvided for the regulation of chemical substances by the EPA and the safety testing of new chemicals
Established national standards for regulating the emission of pollutants from stationary and mobile sources → The Federal Clean Air Act, Established cradle-to-grave regulations for the handling of hazardous wastes → The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Discouraged cultivation of environmentally sensitive lands, especially wetlands, and authorized incentives for farmers to withdraw highly erodible lands from production → The Food Security Act, Established water quality standards; provides for the regulation of the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters and for the protection of wetlands → The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Provided for the regulation of chemical substances by the EPA and the safety testing of new chemicals → Toxic Substances Control Act
Which President signed the Clean Water Act to strengthen water pollution laws? Select one: a.Jimmy Carter b.Lyndon B. Johnson c.Richard Nixon d.John Kennedy
Richard Nixon
Earth Day is an annual event that was first celebrated by the United Nations on March 21, 1970. It was then founded in the United States by ___________ to occur every April 22 as a way to recognize the global effort for environmental protection. Earth Day is currently celebrated by almost 200 countries. Select one: a.President John F. Kennedy b.Senator Gaylord Nelson c.President Richard Nixon d.John Gardner
Senator Gaylord Nelson
What book, written by Rachel Carson in 1962, exposed the dangerous effects of manmade pesticides, particularly DDT, on the environment? Carson was particularly concerned with the bioaccumulation of these pesticides and their effect on bird populations. (Capitalize each word of the book's title.)
Silent Spring
Which legislative Act was passed in the United States in 1963 and then further expanded upon in 1970 by the EPA? The Act would later be adopted by many different countries throughout the world, all wishing to regulate the amount of human-produced carbon dioxide in the air. (Enter the name of the Act below. Capitalize the first letter of each word.)
The Clean Air Act
