Intro to Sustainability Review

When scientists determined that the earth was round rather than flat, this was a ___________. cyclical shift sustainable solution hypothesis paradigm shift

paradigm shift

A city decides to pay $100 for each tree that it allows to be logged inside of its limits in order to offset the loss of the tree. This is an example of ___________. economic sacrifice strong sustainability weak sustainability social policy

weak sustainability

Nonpoint pollution sources May come from a smokestack or a drainpipe Are identified more easily and cheaply than point sources Come from sources that are impossible to locate Are dispersed and difficult to identify

Are dispersed and difficult to identify

Which of the following is NOT a factor accelerating globalization? Human mobility International trade and investment Population growth Information and communication technologies

Human mobility

What would be an outcome of a paradigm shift in science? We would need to reject our hypothesis while going through the process of the scientific method. Many fields of science would have to rethink their understanding of the world. We would have to give up using the scientific method since the shift would show we have been wrong in the past. Temperatures in the Arctic Circle would rise causing the sea ice to melt.

Many fields of science would have to rethink their understanding of the world.

When we analyze the results of an experiment in science, why do we say that there is a certain probability that we are correct in accepting our hypothesis? Because of human error, we are never sure of anything. Scientists use the probabilities to confuse the general public so they will not question the conclusions. Statistics can tell us what the probability is that the results could be due to random events. Scientists are just trying to make sure they do not get sued.

Statistics can tell us what the probability is that the results could be due to random events.

Why are students (rather than faculty or the administration) often the ones to propose new sustainability initiatives on campuses? a. Students have the most technical expertise. b. Students propose these ideas as acts of rebellion since they feel that they have little freedom to express themselves. c. Students are typically less attached to traditional ways of doing things. d. Support from faculty and administrators is almost nonexistent.

Students are typically less attached to traditional ways of doing things.

Which statement describes or follows from the concept of sustainability? Human population must decline for the foreseeable future to maintain Earth's natural resources. Sustainability means that we regenerate degraded ecosystems. An example of sustainable use is that the forests that we have today will be preserved and not used for human consumption. An example of sustainable use is that water extracted from underground resources must be equal to or less than the water that recharges the underground resources.

Sustainability means that we regenerate degraded ecosystems.

President Kennedy's directive to put a man on the moon is often used as an analogy to describe the type effort we will need to move down the path to sustainability. However, this analogy falls short of the true effort that will be needed to achieve sustainability. Which of these is a way that the analogy does not work? a. Sustainability will require the efforts of citizens of all countries. b. The technology to start us down the road to sustainability does not exist. c. Achieving sustainability is not nearly as large and complex a goal as President Kennedy proposed in sending humans to the moon. d. Sustainability can be achieved solely through the actions of governments and will not require businesses and entrepreneurs to make contributions.

Sustainability will require the efforts of citizens of all countries.

Which one of the descriptions of planning for sustainability is correct? Scientists don't think in terms of the present. It is impossible to plan over a long term. Planning for sustainability can only be done at the governmental level. Sustainable development requires future generations to be considered.

Sustainable development requires future generations to be considered.

How does the United Nations define sustainable development? the ability to produce food without land erosion and depletion overcoming carrying capacity limitations escaping our dependence on fossil fuels development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Human processes of manufacturing would be more sustainable if they were run __________. on the capitalist model on a linear model on a circular model on a neoclassical model

on a circular model

Along with population growth, which of the following is a major root cause of the environmental problems caused by humans? our reforestation projects our sustainable development practices our exploitation and consumption of resources our renewable energy initiatives

our exploitation and consumption of resources

A solution that satisfies the triple bottom line promotes ___________. weak sustainability social equality at all cost strong sustainability capital gains being made at all cost

strong sustainability

The market prices of goods and services do not include: a. the cost of raw materials b. the cost of manufacturing c. the environmental costs of resource use d. the cost of distribution e. the cost of advertising

the environmental costs of resource use

People who view globalization in a positive light generally emphasize __________. the process of homogenization of the world's cultures the spread of sustainable practices from Western countries to developing countries the replacement of other languages by the more scientifically friendly English that people will take up the material and cultural trappings of a few dominant cultures

the spread of sustainable practices from Western countries to developing countries

Of the following, which can be depleted if overused? wave energy wind water sunlight

water

Pollution prevention is usually more expensive than pollution cleanup. True False

False

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) has been calculated for 133 nations to assess how nations are doing in moving towards sustainable. While there are many disagreements about how individual nations are ranked, we can draw this general conclusion from the Index: __________. a. wealthy nations tended to score high on indicators of environmental health but low on ecosystem vitality b. rich nations scored high on ecosystem vitality c. poor nations scored high on indicators of environmental health because of contributions from wealthy nations d. poor nations tended to score the highest in the EPI

wealthy nations tended to score high on indicators of environmental health but low on ecosystem vitality

The world population reached 6 billion in 1925 1950 the late 20th century The early 19th century

1950

Which of these is true of technology's impact on our ability to live sustainably? a. Technology has allowed us to magnify our impacts on the environment, driving us away from sustainable practices. b. Technology can help lessen our impacts on the environment and help us move to sustainability. c. Technology leads to the rapid population growth that makes sustainable solutions difficult. d. All of the above are correct.

All of the above are correct.

Moving society toward sustainability may seem like an impossible task, but the average citizen can help move society towards sustainability through __________. a. consumer choice—buying products that promote sustainability b. changing behavior—small things like taking shorter showers or turning lights off may not seem like much, but they can be when many people do them c. political influence—writing or calling elected officials can change their vote d. All of these are ways that individuals can help move society to sustainability.

All of these are ways that individuals can help move society to sustainability.

An example of environmentally sustainable economic development is Increased use of resources Burying waste Pollution prevention Population growth

Pollution prevention

On which of the following factors does the United Nations NOT classify a nation as developed or developing? Degree of industrialization Population size Per capita GNI (GNP)

Population size

Technology innovation Always increases environmental impact Always decreases environmental impact Can increase or decrease environmental impact, depending on the technology Has little impact on the environment

Can increase or decrease environmental impact, depending on the technology

Which option does economic sustainability meet? a. Helps to make products cheaper. b. Company profits go to shareholders. c. Creates wealth to improve living standards. d. Recycles materials to save on costs.

Creates wealth to improve living standards.

Which view of the world is most useful in guiding society towards sustainability? a. Earth is a temporary stopping point for energy in the universe. b. Our planet is much larger than any of us appreciate. c. Earth is an island. d. Earth is only one planet among millions in our galaxy.

Earth is an island.

The human population is increasing ________. Arithmetically At a faster rate than ever before Exponentially By 1.2 billion people per year

Exponentially

Ecology is an interdisciplinary study that combines information from the physical sciences and the social sciences to learn how the earth works. a. True b. False

False

The three factors affecting the environmental impact of the population in developing and developed countries are: Population plus consumption minus technology impact Population plus consumption plus technology impact Population times consumption times technology impact Population times technology impact minus consumption

Population times consumption times technology impact

Which of these is NOT part of the "triple bottom line" that is needed for an action or policy to truly promote sustainability? a. It must promote environmental quality. b. It must promote less governmental involvement. c. It must promote social justice. d. It must promote economic well being.

It must promote less governmental involvement.

Where does most of your household waste go to? a. Incineration with energy recovery. b. Recycled. c. Landfill. d. Compost.

Landfill

Which option best describes social sustainability? a. Meeting people's needs. b. Providing clean drinking water. c. Making sure people have jobs. d. Giving people good healthcare.

Meeting people's needs

Which of the following is NOT one of the five causes of environmental problems? Poverty Ecological ignorance Population growth Market prices do not include environmental costs Public policy

Public policy

What is the best option for dealing with waste? a. Recycle it. b. Reduce the amount produced. c. Incinerate it and generate electricity. d. Re-use the waste.

Reduce the amount produced.

Natural capital consists of ________ and ecological services. a. Climate change b. Economic services c. Resources d. Gross national product

Resources

Sustainable development has three parts. Which option describes them? a. Waste, air quality and biodiversity. b. Social equality, human rights and health. c. Wealth, economic growth and poverty. d. Social, environment and economy.

Social, environment and economy.

Which of the following does NOT represent an aspect of an environmentally sustainable society? Recycling Protecting biodiversity c. Soil erosion d. Solar power

Soil Erosion

An ecological footprint is The amount of biologically productive land and water a person uses A measure of the earth's biological capacity A measure of a person's contribution to creating a sustainable environment The amount of wilderness available on the earth

The amount of biologically productive land and water a person uses

Which of the following best describes the idea behind the parable of "the tragedy of the commons"? Human population and economic growth will eventually be controlled by starvation, war, and disease. Resources are essentially limitless. The exercise of individual self-interest will result in the destruction of land that is freely accessible to all. A common self-interest in survival of us and our offspring would necessarily reverse the course of habitat destruction, human-caused extinctions of organisms, and resource depletion.

The exercise of individual self-interest will result in the destruction of land that is freely accessible to all.

How did the agricultural revolution lead to an increase in human population numbers? Industrialization and manufacturing allowed us to produce more food. The shift from a nomadic lifestyle to settling down on farms with domesticated animals allowed for nutritional needs to be met more easily. Farming allowed for the discovery of pesticides, which allowed for better food production. The discovery of medicines like antibiotics allowed us to live longer

The shift from a nomadic lifestyle to settling down on farms with domesticated animals allowed for nutritional needs to be met more easily.

Which of these is a likely explanation of why society typically sees a conflict between protecting the environment and economic growth? a. A U.S. government review showed that costs associated with environmental regulation are much greater than the benefits. b. The time of greatest economic growth has been since the start of the industrial revolution and this has been fueled by heavy and nonsustainable resource use and loss of biodiversity. c.Humans perceive ourselves to be part of the environment, making anything we do natural. Standing in the way of human activity would therefore be unnatural. d. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment showed that converting natural habitat for economic activities (like farming and aquaculture) has long-term economic benefits even when external costs are included.

The time of greatest economic growth has been since the start of the industrial revolution and this has been fueled by heavy and nonsustainable resource use and loss of biodiversity.

Which statement about the terms theory and hypothesis is correct? A hypothesis becomes a theory when it has been confirmed by a single experiment. A theory is an "educated guess" as to the explanation of a phenomenon. A hypothesis must be testable and can be disproven, whereas a theory is testable but cannot be disproven. Theories can be used to predict new discoveries by generating new hypotheses from them.

Theories can be used to predict new discoveries by generating new hypotheses from them.

Which of these is NOT a reason why we have limited time to achieve sustainable solutions in human activities? Deforestation, fishing, and resource extraction are all increasing in intensity. There is little harm that humans can do to the planet in a short period of time because it is so vast. Natural systems are changing quickly. Climate change is altering the planet's ecosystems.

There is little harm that humans can do to the planet in a short period of time because it is so vast.

Pollution can come from natural sources. True False

True

If we are to achieve sustainability under the pressures of the current population, all of these will be required EXCEPT _______. a. lobbying groups that are interested in sustainable goals b. politicians that are not afraid of long-term solutions c. an educated general public d. a continued expansion of our use of natural resources

a continued expansion of our use of natural resources

The harmful effects of poverty are serious but those of affluence are _____. a. a lot less serious b. a little less serious c. about the same d. a little more serious e. a lot more serious

a lot more serious

Which of the following best describes the elements of our environment? all the nonliving things around us rocks, clouds, ice caps, and soil all the living things and nonliving things in the environment around us all the living things around us

all the living things and nonliving things in the environment around us

The main advantage of observational studies and natural experiments over manipulative studies is that natural experiments ___________. can prove hypotheses are able to test hypotheses in the field and with large study areas. show causation always limit the independent variables to one

are able to test hypotheses in the field and with large study areas.

If the total number of a species in a given area decreased from 500 to 300 it could be said that ___________. biodiversity is decreasing extinction has been eliminated population explosions are happening on a large scale biodiversity is increasing

biodiversity is decreasing

In the goal of building a sustainable society, local (as opposed to global) self-sufficiency __________. a. is not important b. can be valuable because people are tied more closely to the area where they live c. can be overlooked in the short term because there is nothing to be gained from consuming locally produced goods d. is often opposed by individuals but favored by governments and multinational organizations like the World Trade Organization

can be valuable because people are tied more closely to the area where they live

Restoration of native plants and habitats on campuses __________. a. can provide ecosystem services such as slowing storm water runoff and filtering pollution b. are attractive additions but of little academic use c. are costly to maintain but worthwhile for their educational value d. are limited to those campuses with large land holdings

can provide ecosystem services such as slowing storm water runoff and filtering pollution

Which of these is NOT a challenge faced by seekers of environmental solutions to problems? a. thinking of creative solutions that have not been tried b. overcoming political and economic obstacles to move an idea forward c. measuring the effect of a given change to see if it is moving us toward sustainability d. gathering evidence that many of our current practices are not sustainable

gathering evidence that many of our current practices are not sustainable

If a scientist makes an observation and eventually carries out an experiment to explain that observation, he or she is conducting ___________. pseudo-science observational science descriptive science hypothesis-driven science

hypothesis-driven science

A hypothesis is well supported when ___________. it becomes a law it becomes a theory it is proven correct it is rejected

it becomes a law

The shift to sustainability will NOT require __________. a. decrease in consumption b. the establishment of green taxes c. elimination of environmentally and economically destructive tax incentives d. losses in the standard of living and health

losses in the standard of living and health