Environmental Science: Final Exam

reservoir

(1) An artificial water body behind a dam that stores water for human use. (2) A location in which nutrients in a biogeochemical cycle remain for a period of time before moving to another reservoir. Can be living or nonliving entities.

biomass

(1) In ecology, organic material that makes up living organisms; the collective mass of living matter in a given place and time. (2) In energy, organic material derived from living or recently living organisms, containing chemical energy that originated with photosynthesis.

What are the IPCC predictions for global mean temperature increase and sea level rise?

(1.8-6.7 F) or (1.0-3.7 C) (26- 82 cm) or (10-32 in )

adaptation

(re: evolution) (1) The process by which traits that lead to increased reproductive success in a given environment evolve in a population through natural selection. (2) A trait that confers greater likelihood that an individual will reproduce.

What are the ecological costs of using bottled water? Is bottled water cleaner than tap?

****in destroys the planet and no it's not cleaner

What does sustainability and sustainable development mean? Is our society sustainable?

-A guiding principle of environmental science, entailing conserving resources, maintaining functional ecological systems, and developing long-term solutions, such that Earth can sustain our civilization and all life for the future, allowing our descendants to live at least as well as we have lived. -Development that satisfies our current needs without compromising the future availability of natural capital or our future quality of life. -NO.

Place the following steps in the scientific method in the correct order from start to finish.

-Make observations and ask questions -Develop a hypothesis -Test predictions, ideally using an experiment -Collect and analyze data -Accept or reject hypothesis

What are the steps in eutrophication?

1- nutrients wash into river or stream 2- Algae grow quickly in response to increased nutrients 3- Algae block sunlight to aquatic plants= slow photosynthesis, less oxygen in water, low DO levels 4- Decomposer populations increase due to more food(algae) they use up all of the oxygen for respiration = high BOD levels 5- Fish and other consumers die due to lack of oxygen and lack of producers at the base of the pyramid 6- Oxygen levels decline and dead organic matter forms sediments on the lake or river - turbidity increases 7- All life is gone and sediment settles to leave a clear blue lake

What ecosystems have high net primary productivity?

1. Algel beds and reefs 2. Tropical rainforest 3. Swamp and Marsh

Order the following countries from the one with the the largest population (1) to the one with the smallest population (6).

1. China 2. India 3. United States 4. Indonesia 5. Brazil 6. Pakistan

Put the following steps in the overall process of eutrophication into order from the first step to the last step.

1. Nitrogen and phosporus input from runoff 2.phytoplankton (algae) grow at surface due to fertilization 3.Dead algae drift to bottom of water, providing food for microbial decomposers (bacteria and fungi) 4.Microbial decomposer population grows and consumes more oxygen 5.Insufficient oxygen (hypoxia) creates a dead zone where shellfish, shrimp and small fish can die

Order the following renewable energy sources from highest (1) to lowest (5) consumption in the U.S. (not electricity generation).

1. bioenergy 2.hydropower 3.wind 4. solar 5. geothermal

1.wind energy 2.soil 3.crude oil

1.most renewable 2.can be renewed on intermediate time scales 3.can be renewed on intermediate time scales

How much energy transfers up each step in a food chain? Why does a plant-based diet use less land and water than a meat-based diet?

10 % "when we eat meat, we consume 10x more plants per calorie than when we eat plants directly

How much energy transfers up each step in a food chain? 90% 50% 25% 10%

10%

How much of the US energy supply is from renewables? 1% 5% 10% 20%

10%

Approximately what % of world energy production is from renewable energy sources?

10-15%

What is the best estimate for the human population in the year 2100 (using a medium fertility scenario)?

11.2 billion

What will the human population be closest to by 2100? 5 billion 7 billion 9 billion 12 billion

12 Billion

During which time period did the world's population more than triple?

1950-2000

When did global population growth peak? How do growth rates differ between more, less, and least developed countries? (Figure 6.11)

1960

The IPCC predicts average global temperatures will increase by: less than 1 F 2 to 7 F 10 to 15 F more than 20 F

2 to 7 F

How much of the world's water is fresh water? 50% 25% 2.5% <1%

2.5%

What % of water is freshwater? What % of freshwater is frozen? What % is groundwater?

2.5% 79% 20%

The U.S. average footprint is roughly ____________ the average world footprint.

3 times larger

The U.S. is ____ of the world's population & ______ of global energy consumption. 4%, 4% 18%, 18% 18%, 4% 4%, 18%

4%, 18%

The U.S. makes up around ____ of the world's population & almost ______ of global energy consumption.

4%, 18%

If a population is growing at a rate of 1.4%, the population would double in size in how many years?

50

The human population is closest to ________.

7 billion

The global human population is: 330 million 7.8 million 7.1 billion 7.8 billion

7.8 Billion

What is the human population right now?

7.8 Billion

What % of freshwater use is for agriculture? Households? What are ways to increase water efficiency in agriculture? In homes?

70% 10% Drip irrigation and water use reduction

How much of the world's freshwater is frozen? 75% 50% 25% 10%

75%

How much of U.S. energy is supplied by fossil fuels? 20% 40% 60% 80%

80%

The richest 1/5 of the world's people possess over ________ times the income of the poorest 1/5 and use ________% of the world's resources.

80, 85

What is population predicted to be in 2050? 2100? (Fig. 6.6)

9.8 Billion, 11.2 Billion

molecules

A combination of two or more atoms.

soil

A complex plant-supporting system consisting of disintegrated rock, organic matter, air, water, nutrients, and microorganisms.

organic molecules

A compound made up of carbon atoms (and, generally, hydrogen atoms) joined by covalent bonds and sometimes including other elements, such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The unusual ability of carbon to build elaborate molecules has resulted in millions of different organic compounds showing various degrees of complexity.

undernutrition

A condition of insufficient nutrition in which people receive fewer calories than are needed on a daily basis for a healthy diet.

humus

A dark, spongy, crumbly mass of material made up of complex organic compounds, resulting from the partial decomposition of organic matter.

soil degradation

A deterioration of soil quality and decline in soil productivity, resulting primarily from forest removal, cropland agriculture, and overgrazing of livestock.

fuel cells

A device that can store and transport energy to produce electricity, much as a battery can. A hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity by the input of hydrogen fuel and oxygen, producing only water and heat as waste products.

horizon

A distinct layer of soil.

directional drilling

A drilling technique (e.g., for oil or natural gas) in which a drill bores down vertically and then bends horizontally to follow layered deposits for long distances from the drilling site. This enables extracting more fossil fuels with less environmental impact on the surface.

negative feedback loop

A feedback loop in which output of one type acts as input that moves the system in the opposite direction. The input and output essentially neutralize each other's effects, stabilizing the system.

positive feedback loop

A feedback loop in which output of one type acts as input that moves the system in the same direction. The input and output drive the system further toward one extreme or another.

organic fertilizers

A fertilizer made up of natural materials (largely the remains or wastes of organisms), such as animal manure, crop residues, charcoal, fresh vegetation, and compost.

inorganic fertilizers

A fertilizer that consists of mined or synthetically manufactured mineral supplements. Inorganic fertilizers are generally more susceptible than organic fertilizers to leaching and runoff and may be more likely to cause unintended off-site impacts.

desertification

A form of land degradation in which more than 10% of a land's productivity is lost due to erosion, soil compaction, forest removal, overgrazing, drought, salinization, climate change, water depletion, or other factors. Severe desertification can result in the expansion of desert areas or creation of new ones.

petroleum

A fossil fuel produced by the slow underground conversion of organic compounds by heat and pressure. Oil is a mixture of hundreds of different types of hydrocarbon molecules characterized by carbon chains of different lengths.

element

A fundamental type of matter; a chemical substance with a given set of properties, which cannot be broken down into substances with other properties. Chemists currently recognize 92 elements that occur in nature, as well as more than 20 others that have been artificially created.

red tides

A harmful algal bloom consisting of algae that produce reddish pigments that discolor surface waters.

The layer below the O horizon in an idealized profile

A horizon

feedlots

A huge indoor or outdoor pen designed to deliver energy-rich food to animals living at extremely high densities. Also called a factory farm or concentrated animal feeding operation.

green collar jobs

A job resulting from an employment opportunity in a more sustainably oriented economy, such as a job in renewable energy.

mountaintop removal mining

A large-scale form of coal mining in which entire mountaintops are blasted away in order to extract the resource. While this process is economically efficient, large volumes of rock and soil slide downhill, causing extensive impacts on surrounding ecosystems and human residents.

levees

A long raised mound of earth erected along a river bank to protect against floods by holding rising water in the main channel. Synonymous with dike.

coral reefs

A mass of calcium carbonate composed of the skeletons of tiny colonial marine organisms called corals.

concentrated solar power

A means of generating electricity at a large scale by focusing sunlight from a large area onto a smaller area. Several approaches are used.

genetic diversity

A measurement of the differences in DNA composition among individuals within a given species.

wind turbines

A mechanical assembly that converts the wind's kinetic energy, or energy of motion, into electrical energy for the generation of wind power.

compost

A mixture produced when decomposers break down organic matter, such as food and crop waste, in a controlled environment.

slash-and-burn

A mode of agriculture frequently used in the tropics in which natural vegetation is cut and then burned, adding nutrition to the soil, before farming begins. Generally, farmers move on to another plot once the soil fertility is depleted.

compound

A molecule whose atoms are composed of two or more elements.

colony collapse disorder

A mysterious malady afflicting honeybees, which has destroyed roughly one-third of all honeybees in the United States annually over the past decade. Likely caused by chemical insecticides, pathogens and parasites, habitat and resource loss, or combinations of these factors.

fossil fuels

A nonrenewable natural resource, such as crude oil, natural gas, or coal, produced by the decomposition and compression of organic matter from ancient life. Fossil fuels have provided most of society's energy since the industrial revolution.

pollination

A plant-animal interaction in which one organism (for example, a bee or a hummingbird) transfers pollen (containing male sex cells) from flower to flower, fertilizing ovaries (containing female sex cells) that grow into fruits with seeds.

harmful algal blooms

A population explosion of toxic algae caused by excessive nutrient concentrations.

species

A population or group of populations of a particular type of organism whose members share certain characteristics and can breed freely with one another and produce fertile offspring. Biologists may differ in their approaches to diagnosing species boundaries.

cogeneration

A practice in which the extra heat generated in the production of electricity is captured and put to use heating workplaces and homes, as well as producing other kinds of power.

electrolysis

A process in which electrical current is passed through a compound to release ions. Electrolysis offers one way to produce hydrogen for use as fuel: Electrical current is passed through water, splitting the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms

ground source heat pumps

A pump that harnesses geothermal energy from near-surface sources of earth and water to heat and cool buildings. Operates on the principle that temperatures belowground are less variable than temperatures aboveground.

shelterbelts

A row of trees or other tall perennial plants that are planted along the edges of farm fields to break the wind and thereby minimize wind erosion.

conservation biology

A scientific discipline devoted to understanding the factors, forces, and processes that influence the loss, protection, and restoration of biodiversity within and among ecosystems.

demography

A social science that applies the principles of population ecology to the study of statistical change in human populations.

keystone species

A species that has an especially far-reaching effect on a community.

hypothesis

A statement that attempts to explain a phenomenon or answer a scientific question.

theory

A statement that attempts to explain a phenomenon or answer a scientific question.

tributary

A stream or river that flows into a larger river

fertilizers

A substance that promotes plant growth by supplying essential nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorus.

wetlands

A system in which the soil is saturated with water and which generally features shallow standing water with ample vegetation. These biologically productive systems include freshwater marshes, swamps, bogs, and seasonal wetlands such as vernal pools.

photovoltaic cells

A technology designed to collect sunlight and directly convert it to electrical energy. When light strikes one of a pair of metal plates in the cell, this causes the release of electrons, which are attracted by electrostatic forces to the opposing plate. The flow of electrons from one plate to the other creates an electrical current. This is the basis of PV solar power technology.

demographic transition

A theoretical model of economic and cultural change that explains the declining death rates and birth rates that occurred in Western nations as they became industrialized. The model holds that industrialization caused these rates to fall naturally by decreasing mortality and by lessening the need for large families. Parents would thereafter choose to invest in quality of life rather than quantity of children.

mangrove forests

A tree with a unique type of roots that curve upward to obtain oxygen, which is lacking in the mud in which they grow, or that curve downward to serve as stilts to support the tree in changing water levels. Mangrove forests grow on the coastlines of the tropics and subtropics.

cap-and-trade

A type of emissions trading system in which government determines an acceptable level of pollution and then issues polluting parties permits to pollute. A company receives credit for amounts it does not emit and can then sell this credit to other companies.

carbon taxes

A type of green tax charged to entities that pollute by emitting carbon dioxide. Carbon taxation is one approach to carbon pricing, and gives polluters a financial incentive to reduce emissions in order to address global climate change.

carbon offsets

A voluntary payment to another entity intended to enable that entity to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that one is unable or unwilling to reduce oneself. The payment thus offsets one's own emissions.

thermohaline circulation

A worldwide system of ocean currents in which warmer, fresher water moves along the surface and colder, saltier water (which is denser) moves deep beneath the surface.

Agriculture will face which of the following challenges in the future?

A) Increasing food production to feed 2 billion more people than we do today B) Increasing food security around the world C) Protecting the integrity of soil, water and ecosystems

Which of the following factors are thought to play a role in the colony collapse disorder of bees?

A) invasive parasitic mites B) pesticide exposure C) loss of flowers

How does the greenhouse effect work?

Absorbs radiation emitted from the surface and re-emitted back down

Which continent will grow the fastest this century? Asia South America Africa North America

Africa

If we improved water conservation and efficiency, which of the following sectors would see the largest reductions in water use?

Agriculture

traditional agriculture

Agriculture in which human and animal muscle power, along with hand tools and simple machines, performs the work of cultivating, harvesting, storing, and distributing crops.

sustainable agriculture

Agriculture that can be practiced in the same way and in the same place far into the future. Sustainable agriculture does not deplete soils faster than they form, nor reduce the clean water, genetic diversity, pollinators, and other resources essential to long-term crop and livestock production.

no-till farming

Agriculture that does not involve tilling (plowing, disking, harrowing, or chiseling) the soil. The most intensive form of conservation tillage.

conservation tillage

Agriculture that limits the amount of tilling (plowing, disking, harrowing, or chiseling) of soil.

industrialized agriculture

Agriculture that uses large-scale mechanization and fossil fuel combustion, enabling farmers to replace horses and oxen with faster and more powerful means of cultivating, harvesting, transporting, and processing crops. Other aspects include large-scale irrigation and the use of inorganic fertilizers. Use of chemical herbicides and pesticides reduces competition from weeds and herbivory by insects.

organic agriculture

Agriculture that uses no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides but instead relies on biological approaches such as composting and biological control.

Who wrote the (almost) famous line: "to keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering"?

Aldo Leopold

Which of the following are the causes for sea level rise with warming global average temperature?

All of the above

hydrosphere

All water—salt or fresh, liquid, ice, or vapor—in surface bodies, underground, and in the atmosphere.

Paris Climate Agreement

An agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.

passive solar energy collection

An approach in which buildings are designed and building materials are chosen to maximize direct absorption of sunlight in winter and to keep the interior cool in the summer.

active solar energy collection

An approach in which technological devices are used to focus, move, or store solar energy

marine protected areas

An area of the ocean set aside to protect marine life from fishing pressures. An MPA may be protected from some human activities but be open to others.

biodiversity hotspot

An area that supports an especially great diversity of species, particularly species that are endemic to the area.

estuaries

An area where a river flows into the ocean, mixing fresh water with saltwater.

recharge zone

An area where water infiltrates Earth's surface and reaches an aquifer below.

clean coal technologies

An array of techniques, equipment, and approaches to remove chemical contaminants (such as sulfur) during the process of generating electricity from coal.

pesticides

An artificial chemical used to kill insects (called an insecticide), plants (called an herbicide), or fungi (called a fungicide).

conservation ethics

An ethic holding that people should put natural resources to use but also have a responsibility to manage them wisely.

preservation ethics

An ethic holding that we should protect the natural environment in a pristine, unaltered state.

La Nina

An exceptionally strong cooling of surface water in the equatorial Pacific Ocean that occurs every 2-8 years and has widespread climatic consequences.

methane hydrates

An ice-like solid consisting of molecules of methane embedded in a crystal lattice of water molecules. Most is found in sediments on the continental shelves and in the Arctic. Methane hydrate is an unconventional fossil fuel.

biophilia

An inherent love for and fascination with nature and an instinctive desire people have to affiliate with other living things. Defined by biologist E.O. Wilson as "the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life."

Green Revolution

An intensification of the industrialization of agriculture in the developing world in the latter half of the 20th century that dramatically increased crop yields produced per unit area of farmland. Practices include devoting large areas to monocultures of crops specially bred for high yields and rapid growth; heavy use of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water; and sowing and harvesting on the same parcel of land more than once per year or per season.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement drafted in 1997 that called for reducing, by 2012, emissions of six greenhouse gases to levels lower than those in 1990. It was extended to 2020 as nations worked toward the Paris Accord. An outgrowth of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.

hydrocarbons

An organic compound consisting solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms.

autotrophs

An organism that can use the energy from sunlight to produce its own food. Includes green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Producers

heterotrophs

An organism that consumes other organisms. Includes most animals, as well as fungi and microbes that decompose organic matter. Consumers

aquifers

An underground water reservoir.

dams

Any obstruction placed in a river or stream to block the flow of water so that water can be stored in a reservoir. Dams are built to prevent floods, provide drinking water, facilitate irrigation, and generate electricity.

run of river

Any of several methods used to generate hydroelectric power without greatly disrupting the flow of river water. Run-of-river approaches eliminate much of the environmental impact of large dams.

At the end of this century, the IPCC predicts temperatures will be how much higher than today's temperatures?

Around 2-7 degree F

Why are the EROI ratios declining for oil and natural gas?

Because the ease reserves have been uses and only difficlut reserves remain

What was the Green Revolution? What techniques were used to increase food production?

Began the start of industrial agriculture using irrigation, synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides and fossil fuel powered equipment

Which renewable provides the most electricity?

Biomass provides the most electricity around the world

How do the safety and environmental impacts of nuclear power compare to those of coal?

Both safety and environmental impacts are significantly less likely than coal but when they do happen its really not good

What are the 2 main sources of extra atmospheric CO2? Where else is this extra CO2 going besides the atmosphere?

Burning Fossil Fuels and deforstation The ocean has absorbed enough carbon dioxide to lower its pH by 0.1 units, a 30% increase in acidity. THE OCHIN

Which of the following is NOT a likely impact of climate change on people? Question options: A) forest (and therefore timber) will be impacted more by insects, droughts, and wildfires B) crop productivity will change, increasing in some areas and decreasing in other areas C) richer nations will suffer greater impacts D) increased health hazards such as tropical diseases, respiratory ailments, sanitation problems

C) richer nations will suffer greater impacts

Which one is an organic compound? N2 H2O C6H12O6 O2

C6H12O6

Which one is a greenhouse gas? N2 O2 CH4 C6H12O6

CH4

What is the greatest environmental effect of using fossil fuels? water pollution habitat loss ozone hole CO2 emissions

CO2 emissions

What animal product requires the most land and water per unit of protein? The least?

COW and milk (chicken)

How are GMOs different from traditionally bred crops? What are examples of beneficial GMOs? What are drawbacks to GMOs? How common are GMOs?

Can move individual genes and can mix gene from different species up Examples: potatoes, corn, soybeans, golden rice, "round up ready" and disease resistance Drawbacks: Pesicide resistance Patented Genes Only 10 Companies produce GMOS Farmers have to buy seeds every year Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, canola

Which cycle is biggest in the lithosphere? nitrogen phosphorus oxygen carbon

Carbon

Collecting CO2 produced from combusting coal and injecting it below ground is called: Scrubbers Net metering Carbon capture and storage Cogeneration

Carbon capture and storage

What are examples of ecosystems services?

Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, water cycle, production of food, raw materials, recreation, regulating temp and precipitation and oxygen

The worst nuclear accident in the world occurred at Three Mile Island, US Fukushima Daiichi, Japan Chernobyl, Ukraine Mumbai, India

Chernobyl, Ukraine

Which country uses the most coal? China Russia U.S. Japan

China

What are the top 3 most populated countries?

China, India, United States

_______ is the world's most populous nation, home to ________ of the people living on Earth.

China; 1/5

What is colony collapse disorder? What causes it?

Colony Collapse Disorder is the phenomenon that occurs when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear and leave behind a queen, plenty of food and a few nurse bees to care for the remaining immature bees and the queen Traditional bee pests and diseases. Bee management. Queen source. Chemical use in bee colonies. Chemical toxins in the environment. Varroa mites and associated pathogens. Nutrition Undiscovered or new pests and diseases.

Creating steam that turns a turbine that powers a generator is used in Active solar Photovoltaics Passive solar Concentrated solar power

Concentrated solar power

biocontrol

Control of pests and weeds with organisms that prey on or parasitize them, rather than with chemical pesticides.

these are areas of very high biodiversity due to the complex structures made from the skeletons of tiny marine animals.

Coral reefs

How are we dealing with the nuclear waste disposal issue that comes with nuclear power?

Currently held in temporary storage at nuclear plant

biodiesel

Diesel fuel produced by mixing vegetable oil, used cooking grease, or animal fat with small amounts of ethanol or methanol (wood alcohol) in the presence of a chemical catalyst. A major type of biofuel.

freshwater

Does not contain any saltwater and can be rivers, lakes, streams,ponds, and wetlands

What is the US doing to reduce GHGs?

EPA regulates Clean Air Act, Cap and trade through house but not Senate Clean Power Plan US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

What are the various benefits of biodiversity?

Ecological life support— biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services. Recreation—many recreational pursuits rely on our unique biodiversity , such as birdwatching, hiking, camping and fishing.

ENSO

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) A systematic shift in atmospheric pressure, sea surface temperature, and ocean circulation in the tropical Pacific Ocean. ENSO cycles give rise to El Niño and La Niña conditions.

A hydrogen fuel cell is used to produce: Electricity Heat Light Motion

Electricity

What are "energy efficiency" and "energy conservation" and what are examples of each?

Energy efficiency is getting the best bang for you buck and energy conservation is using less energy. Conservation: Drive less turn off lights fewer appliances buying less stuff efficiency: LEDS More efficient appliances and heating fuel efficient vehicles

tidal energy

Energy harnessed by erecting a dam across the outlet of a tidal basin. Water flowing with the incoming or outgoing tide through sluices in the dam turns turbines to generate electricity.

bioenergy

Energy harnessed from plant and animal matter, including wood from trees, charcoal from burned wood, and combustible animal waste products, such as cattle manure. Fossil fuels are not considered biomass energy sources because their organic matter has not been part of living organisms for millions of years and has undergone considerable chemical alteration since that time.

wave energy

Energy harnessed from the motion of ocean waves. Many designs for machinery to harness wave energy have been invented, but few are commercially operational.

What is different about the ways energy and matter move through systems?

Energy moves one direction, matter is a cycle

kinetic energy

Energy of motion.

potential energy

Energy of position.

The application of ethical standards to relationships between humans and nonhuman entities is known as:

Environmental ethics

these are bodies of water where rivers flow into the ocean, mixing freshwater with salt water

Estuaries

cellulosic ethanol

Ethanol produced from the cellulose in plant tissues by treating it with enzymes. Techniques for producing cellulosic ethanol are being developed because of the desire to make ethanol from low-value crop waste (residues such as corn stalks and husks), rather than from the sugars of high-value crops.

Which continent has the lowest total fertility rate? Africa South America Europe North America

Europe

What human activities increase soil erosion? What techniques can farmers use to prevent erosion?

Excessive Plowing, Overgrazing, clearing forests Contour Plowing, Reduced plowing, no plowing, windbreakers for fields, alternating crops

What are the main drawbacks of using nuclear power?

Expensive, waste storage, risk of accident, public anxiety

What was the pattern of population change over the past 10,000 years? What were the two main causes of growth?

Exponential Industrial and Agricultural Revolution

Acid mine drainage can result from strip mining but not underground mining.

FALSE

All GMOs decrease the need for pesticides.

FALSE

Aquaculture is only used for saltwater fish, not freshwater.

FALSE

Certified organic food must be grown without pesticides, so it mostly relies on pest-resistant GMOs.

FALSE

China's one-child policy is the world's only successful population control program.

FALSE

Cutting GHGs is good for the environment, but bad for the economy.

FALSE

Footprints of developing countries are low because of their small populations.

FALSE

GMOs can mix genes from different species, but not different kingdoms (plants and animals)

FALSE

Hydroelectric power has no negative environmental effects.

FALSE

Integrated pest management (IPM) does not include the use of pesticides.

FALSE

Invasive species may be plants or animals, but not insects, fungi, or diseases.

FALSE

More organisms can be supported at the top of the food chain than at the bottom.

FALSE

Nuclear waste in the US is stored at the Yucca Mountain facility in Nevada.

FALSE

Nutrients flow through ecosystems one way, energy recycles.

FALSE

Oceans are becoming more acidic due to warming water.

FALSE

Proven recoverable reserves are deposits that will be technically and economically practical to extract in the future.

FALSE

The EROI of oil is improving due to recent discoveries of proven recoverable reserves.

FALSE

The Endangered Species Act outlaws killing of species, but not destroying their habitat.

FALSE

The Kyoto Protocol was signed by every country in the world.

FALSE

The U.S. is on track to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

FALSE

The U.S. uses natural resources sustainably.

FALSE

The growth rate of the human population is increasing.

FALSE

The nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island exploded and released radiation into the community.

FALSE

Carbon capture and storage is a proven technology that is being used at most power plants in the United States.

False

Due to the fact that global catch (of fish) has remained steady over the past several decades, we can be reassured that the fish populations are healthy.

False

Energy Returned on Investment (EROI) ratios for oil and natural gas are increasing in the US because new, easily recovered reserves of oil and gas have recently been discovered.

False

Environmental science uses only the natural sciences to learn about environmental problems, not social sciences.

False

Environmentalism is a scientific approach to understanding environmental problems.

False

Feedlots have no environmental benefits, only negative consequences.

False

Gasoline taxes in the United States are similar to gas taxes in the rest of the world.

False

Having large deposits of oil is beneficial for a country or group of people, since they always profit from the money generated from extracted and selling the oil.

False

If the population growth rate of a country is constant, population size will stabilize.

False

No-till farming is not common in the U.S.- it is mostly an idea presented in college textbooks.

False

Oil pollution from accidents involving oil tankers has greatly increased in the past 30 years.

False

Organisms called zooplankton form the base of the food chain in oceans.

False

Over the past 50 years, our ability to produce food has not kept pace with the growth of the human population.

False

Poorer societies have lower birth rates than more affluent societies.

False

The current human population is about 5 billion and is beginning to decline.

False

The renewable energy industry has received far more money in government subsidies than the fossil fuel and nuclear energy industries.

False

The three most widely grown GM crops are wheat, rice and cotton.

False

Topsoil is a relatively sterile substance, with only a few living organisms sparsely scattered through it.

False

Using fossil fuel alternatives, like oil shale and oil or tar sands, can help to minimize the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use.

False

When scientific paradigms change or are abandoned, it is a sign that the scientific method is not working.

False

Worldwide, per person meat production and consumption has decreased since peaking in 1980.

False

salt marshes

Flat land that is intermittently flooded by the ocean where the tide reaches inland. Salt marshes occur along temperate coastlines and are thickly vegetated with grasses, rushes, shrubs, and other herbaceous plants.

oil sands

Fossil fuel deposits that can be mined from the ground, consisting of moist sand and clay containing 1-20% bitumen. Oil sands represent crude oil deposits that have been degraded and chemically altered by water erosion and bacterial decomposition.

Computer software that takes data on geology, hydrology, vegetation, animal species, and human development and overlays them on a common set of geographic coordinates to show how they are arrayed spatially and how they may be correlated

GIS

organisms that have been genetically engineered using recombinant DNA

GMO

Which of the following did NOT contribute to the Green Revolution? more fertilizers more irrigation improved crop breeds GMOs

GMOs

Who was the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service?

Gifford Pinchot

Why is climate change expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events?

Global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of some types of extreme weather. For example, warming is causing more rain to fall in heavy downpours. There are also longer dry periods between rainfalls. This, coupled with more evaporation due to higher temperatures, intensifies drought.

The large increase in food production from 1940-1980 is called the _________. Farming Revolution Industrial Revolution Green Revolution GMO Revolution

Green Revolution

Which of the following statements correctly describe the negative impacts of dams? (select all that apply)

Habitat alteration both upstream and downstream, Disruption of natural flooding downstream that rebuilds topsoil, Sediment settles behind dams, filling reservoir instead of nourishing downstream floodplains, Decline in fish populations due to blocked migration passage

What are the main causes of biodiversity loss?

Habitat destruction, overharvesting, invasive species, pollution, and climate change

Which of the following statements is NOT a disadvantage of nuclear power when compared to coal power.

Health problems and fatalities among workers is greater

Why are the ecological footprints of developing countries different from the footprints of developed countries?

Higher Income Countries have bigger carbon footprints than less developed countries

Which renewable energy source do we generate the most electricity from in the US? Hydroelectric Nuclear Wind Solar

Hydroelectric

What is the IPAT model and what do the letters stand for? Which factor influences I the most?

I (Impact) = P (Population) x A (Affluence/ Wealth) x T (Technology)

What are the 2 main reasons sea level is rising?

Ice melting, and expansion of water molecules

Can science prove hypotheses? Why or why not?

If an experiment fails to disprove a hypothesis, this leads support to hypothesis but does not prove it correct. This way it can still be tested to disprove or accumulate more test that support it

dead zone

In a body of water, an area with extremely low oxygen concentration and very little life

endangered

In danger of becoming extinct in the near future.

ecosystem

In ecology, an assemblage of all organisms and nonliving entities that occur and interact in a particular area at the same time.

upwellings

In the ocean, the flow of cold, deep water toward the surface. Upwelling occurs in areas where surface currents diverge.

downwellings

In the ocean, the flow of warm surface water toward the ocean floor. Downwelling occurs where surface currents converge.

Which country is NOT one of the world's top 3 most populated? Indonesia United States China India

Indonesia

Which of the following groups have the highest species diversity? Mammals Plants Insects Birds

Insects

Which groups of organisms have the highest number of species? Where are a lot of species concentrated?

Insects Rainforests

these ecosystems extend between the farthest reaches of high tide and low tide, so organisms are adapted to being submerged in water and being exposed to air

Intertidal zones

What happened to the Aral Sea?

It drastically shrunk due to its water being used unsustainably for irrigating cotton crops.

What countries have aging populations due to low or negative growth rates? What problems are associated with aging populations?

Japan, Italy, and Greece The biggest problems associated with an aging population is a decline in the money of eligible workers.

Who argued for the creation of wilderness preserves in the United States? Aldo Leopold Gifford Pinchot John Muir

John Muir

large brown algae grow from the floor of continental shelves and provide food and shelter for other species

Kelp forests

cropland

Land that people use to raise plants for food and fiber.

rangeland

Land used for grazing livestock.

xeriscaping

Landscaping using plants that are adapted to arid conditions.

kelp forests

Large brown algae, or seaweed, that can form underwater "forests," providing habitat for marine organisms.

Which of the following regions has a total fertility rate at or below replacement fertility? (select all that apply)

Latin America, Asia North America, Europe

Leopold

Leopold, Aldo (1887-1949) American scientist, scholar, philosopher, and author. His book The Land Ethic argued that humans should view themselves and the land itself as members of the same community and that humans are obligated to treat the land ethically.

threatened

Likely to become endangered soon.

biofuels

Liquid fuel produced from biomass sources and used primarily to power automobiles. Examples include ethanol and biodiesel.

these tropical forests occur along sandy or silty coastlines and are dominated by trees that have stilt-like roots.

Mangrove forests

What techniques does Integrated Pest Management (IPM) use? Can pesticides be used in IPM?

Moniter Pests, biocontrol, mechanical removal, no till, planting diverse crops, crop rotation, GMO's, SOME CHEMICALS WHEN NECESSARY

What percentage of the world's fish populations can not be harvested any more intensively they they currently are without being depleted?

More than 50%

Which fossil fuel is the most polluting? the least polluting?

Most: Coal Least: Natural Gas

Muir

Muir, John (1838-1914) Scottish immigrant to the United States who eventually settled in California and made the Yosemite Valley his wilderness home. Today, he is most strongly associated with the preservation ethic. He argued that nature deserved protection for its own intrinsic value (an ecocentrist argument) but also claimed that nature facilitated human happiness and fulfillment (an anthropocentrist argument).

Is nuclear power growing? Why or why not?

No because it's very expensive and their is a public fear over safety

Should groundwater be managed as a renewable or nonrenewable resource? Why?

Nonrenewable because it takes a long time to be replenished

Which region of the world has the highest biodiversity? Oceans Tropical rain forests Grasslands Deserts

OCHIN

What are the basic steps in the scientific method?

Observations, questions, hypothesis, predictions, test, results

intertidal zones

Of, relating to, or living along shorelines between the highest reach of the highest tide and the lowest reach of the lowest tide.

pelagic ecosystems

Of, relating to, or living between the surface and floor of the ocean.

benthic

Of, relating to, or living on the bottom of a water body.

Most of the grain grown from Oklahoma to South Dakota is irrigated using: Mississippi River water Ogallala aquifer water Platte River Water rain water

Ogallala aquifer water

Know the general order of energy sources in order of consumption (from most used to least used). Know which energy sources are renewable or nonrenewable.

Oil Coal Natural Gas Bioenergy Nuclear Hydropower Wind Power Solar Geothermal

crude oil

Oil in its natural state, as it occurs once extracted from the ground but before processing and refining.

Which ecosystem would be the most resilient to disturbances? One with 1000 species One with 10 species

One with 1000 species

What is the most serious threat to oceans? What are the other threats and forms of pollution?

Overfishing!! Eutrophication Plastic Debris Raw Sewage

What exactly is responsible for the low oxygen levels in the Chesapeake Bay's and Gulf of Mexico's "Dead Zones"?

Oxygen being taken up by microbial decomposers (bacteria)

What have been the 2 major international agreements to combat climate change?

Paris Climate Agreement,

Planting deciduous trees on the south side of buildings is an example of Active solar Photovoltaics Passive solar Concentrated solar

Passive solar

Be able to identify photosynthesis and respiration from equations

Photosynthesis- 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 Respiration -C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

Which technology converts solar energy into electricity in the fewest number of steps? Active solar Photovoltaics Passive solar Concentrated solar

Photovoltaics

Pinchot

Pinchot, Gifford (1865-1946) The first professionally trained American forester, Pinchot helped establish the U.S. Forest Service. Today, he is the person most closely associated with the conservation ethic.

intercropping

Planting different types of crops in alternating bands or other spatially mixed arrangements.

What is the relationship between population growth rates and: family planning, female education, wealth?

Population Growth rates decrease with family planning, females education and wealth

Be able to identify an example of a positive feedback loop and a negative feedback loop

Positive Feedback goes in one direction increasing the outcome. Negative Feedback goes in opposition directions so the results is balenced

The energy in still water that is held behind a dam is best described as:

Potential energy

chemical energy

Potential energy held in the bonds between atoms.

biopower

Power attained by combusting biomass sources to generate electricity.

Fluxes of the Hydrologic Cycle

Precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff

What leads skewed sex ratios? Why are skewed sex ratios a problem?

Preference of parents to have one sex over the other.

The purpose of dikes and levees is to:

Prevent floods along rivers

What happened at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima?

Problems happened at the Nuclear Plants

net metering

Process by which homeowners or businesses with photovoltaic systems or wind turbines can sell their excess solar energy or wind power to their local utility. Whereas feed-in tariffs award producers with prices above market rates, net metering offers market-rate prices.

Which of the following was NOT a part of the Green Revolution?

Promoting the use of polycultures

What are the pros and cons of feedlots?

Pros: Efficient food production Less Land impacted Cons: Water and air Pollution Poor waste containment causes outbreaks of disease Heavy use of antibiotics to control disease

genetic material patched together from the DNA of different organisms to create new hybrids

Recombinant DNA

What methods have been shown to successfully lower population growth rates?

Regulations, Education and Job oppurtunies for women

Which resources are renewable or nonrenewable, and which ones are in between?

Renewable- Solar, Wind, Wave, Geothermal Exhaustible Renewable- Fresh Water, Forest products, biodiversity, soils Non-renewable- Crude Oil, natural Gas, Coal, Minerals

endemic

Restricted to a particular geographic region. An endemic species occurs in one area and nowhere else on Earth.

these occur where tides wash over gently sloping sandy or silty flats. They are thick with rushes, grasses, and shrubs.

Salt marshes

oil shale

Sedimentary rock filled with kerogen that can be processed to produce liquid petroleum. Oil shale is formed by the same processes that form crude oil but occurs when kerogen was not buried deeply enough or subjected to enough heat and pressure to form oil.

What ecosystem services do wetlands provide?

Slows runoff, reduces flooding,recharges aquifers, filters pollution

What are 2 good websites for verifying facts?

Snopes.com, Factcheck.org

Which one is renewable, but should be managed as a non-renewable? wind solar soil coal

Soil

Which renewable is most in need of a way to store electricity? Hydroelectric Geothermal Solar Biomass

Solar

What 3 factors influence earth's climate most?

Sun, Atmosphere, Ocean

What is sustainable agriculture? Is industrial agriculture sustainable?

Sustainable agriculture maintains healthy soil, clean water, pollinators, and genetic diversity in crops . industrial agriculture is not sustainable

What is not allowed in organic farming? What are benefits of organic farming?

Synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and GMO's reduced chemical pollution maintains soil health less pesticide residue sells at a higher price

Ecosystems with high biodiversity can provide more ecosystem services.

TRUE

Geothermal energy can be used to heat houses and generate electricity.

TRUE

If the thermohaline ocean current slows down, Europe could get colder. TRUE FALSE

TRUE

The EROI of tar sands and oil shale is less than the EROI of natural gas.

TRUE

Which energy source is transported by the Keystone Pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico? Tar sands Natural gas Oil shale Ethanol

Tar sands

carbon capture and storage

Technologies or approaches to remove carbon dioxide from emissions of power plants or other facilities, and sequester, or store, it (generally in liquid form) underground under pressure in locations where it will not seep out, in an effort to mitigate global climate change. We are still a long way from developing adequate technology and secure storage space to accomplish this reliably

peak oil

Term used to describe the point of maximum production of petroleum in the world (or for a given nation), after which oil production declines. This is expected to be roughly the midway point of extraction of the world's oil supplies.

Which state generates the most wind electricity?

Texas

Which state is NOT a part of the Colorado River compact? Wyoming California Utah Texas

Texas

Which state produces the most wind power? Colorado Texas California Florida

Texas

topsoil

That portion of the soil that is most nutritive for plants and is thus of the most direct importance to ecosystems and to agriculture. A soil horizon also known as the A horizon.

What is the Endangered Species Act?

The Endangered Species Act is designed to protect any plant or animal species in danger of extinction.

IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific and intergovernmental body under the auspices of the United Nations, set up at the request of member governments, dedicated to the task of providing the world with an objective, scientific view of climate change and its political and economic impacts.

Where/what is the largest aquifer in the world and what is happening to it?

The Ogallala, also known as the High Plains Aquifer, is one of the largest underground freshwater sources in the world. Its going away way to quick

How much of the energy used worldwide is by the US? What is our percentage of total population?

The US makes us about 4% of the world population and almost 18% of global energy consumption

resilience

The ability of an ecological community to change in response to disturbance but later return to its original state.

energy efficiency

The ability to obtain a given result or amount of output while using less energy input. Technologies permitting greater energy efficiency are one main route to energy conservation.

ethanol

The alcohol in beer, wine, and liquor, produced as a biofuel by fermenting biomass, generally from carbohydrate-rich crops such as corn or sugarcane.

proven recoverable reserve

The amount of a given fossil fuel in a deposit that is technologically and economically feasible to remove under current conditions.

deposition

The arrival of eroded soil at a new location.

irrigation

The artificial provision of water to support agriculture.

growth rate

The average number of children born per female member of a population during her lifetime.

total fertility rate

The average number of children born per female member of a population during her lifetime.

background extinction rate

The average rate of extinction that occurred before the appearance of humans. For example, the fossil record indicates that for both birds and mammals, one species in the world typically became extinct every 500-1000 years.

parent material

The base geologic material in a particular location

salinization

The buildup of salts in surface soil layers.

hypoxia

The condition of extremely low dissolved oxygen concentrations in a body of water.

malnutrition

The condition of lacking nutrients the body needs, including a complete complement of vitamins and minerals.

overgrazing

The consumption by too many animals of plant cover, impeding plant regrowth and the replacement of biomass. Overgrazing can worsen damage to soils, natural communities, and the land's productivity for further grazing.

Evaporation

The conversion of a substance from a liquid to a gaseous form.

nuclear fission

The conversion of the energy within an atom's nucleus to usable thermal energy by splitting apart atomic nuclei.

aquaculture

The cultivation of aquatic organisms for food in controlled environments.

terracing

The cutting of level platforms, sometimes with raised edges, into steep hillsides to contain water from irrigation and precipitation. Terracing transforms slopes into series of steps like a staircase, enabling farmers to cultivate hilly land while minimizing their loss of soil to water erosion.

contraception

The deliberate attempt to prevent pregnancy despite sexual intercourse.

extirpation

The disappearance of a particular population from a given area, but not the entire species globally.

extinction

The disappearance of an entire species from Earth. Compare extirpation.

birth control

The effort to control the number of children one bears, particularly by reducing the frequency of pregnancy.

family planning

The effort to plan the number and spacing of one's children to offer children and parents the best quality of life possible.

watershed/drainage basin

The entire area of land from which water drains into a given body of water.

mass extinction events

The extinction of a large proportion of the world's species in a very short time period due to some extreme and rapid change or catastrophic event. Earth has seen five mass extinction events in the past half-billion years.

hydropower

The generation of electricity using the kinetic energy of moving water.

food security

The guaranteed availability of an adequate, safe, nutritious, and reliable food supply to all people at all times.

How does a commercial nuclear power plant convert the energy of the atomic nuclei into electricity?

The heat produced by the nuclear reaction boils water and the steam rotates a turbine, which then drives a generator

species diversity

The number and variety of species in the world or in a particular region.

lithosphere

The outer layer of Earth, consisting of crust and uppermost mantle and located just above the asthenosphere. More generally, the solid part of Earth, including the rocks, sediment, and soil at the surface and extending down many miles underground.

How does pesticide resistance develop?

The pest that has some kind of natural immunity to pesticide becomes the one responsible for reproducing and thus his kids have immunity

polycultures

The planting of multiple crops in a mixed arrangement or in close proximity. An example is some traditional Native American farming that mixed maize, beans, squash, and peppers.

Which of the following was NOT true of China's One-Child Policy?

The policy completely stopped population growth in China.

reproductive window

The portion of a woman's life between sexual maturity and menopause during which she may become pregnant.

control

The portion of an experiment in which a variable has been left unmanipulated, to serve as a point of comparison with the treatment.

treatment

The portion of an experiment in which a variable has been manipulated in order to test its effect.

crop rotation

The practice of alternating the kind of crop grown in a particular field from one season or year to the next.

community-based conservation

The practice of engaging local people to protect land and wildlife in their own region.

captive breeding

The practice of keeping members of threatened and endangered species in captivity so that their young can be bred and raised in controlled environments and subsequently reintroduced into the wild.

contour farming

The practice of plowing furrows sideways across a hillside, perpendicular to its slope, to help prevent the formation of rills and gullies. The technique is so named because the furrows follow the natural contours of the land.

energy conservation

The practice of reducing energy use as a way of extending the lifetime of our fossil fuel supplies, of being less wasteful, and of reducing our impact on the environment. Conservation can result from behavioral decisions or from technologies that demonstrate energy efficiency.

Endangered Species Act

The primary legislation, enacted in 1973, for protecting biodiversity in the United States. It forbids the government and private citizens from taking actions (such as developing land) that would destroy threatened and endangered species or their habitats, and it prohibits trade in products made from threatened and endangered species

peer-review process

The process by which a scientific manuscript submitted for publication in an academic journal is examined by specialists in the field, who provide comments and criticism (generally anonymously) and judge whether the work merits publication in the journal.

habitat fragmentation

The process by which an expanse of natural habitat becomes broken up into discontinuous fragments, often as a result of farming, logging, road building, and other types of human development and land use.

nitrogen fixation

The process by which inert nitrogen gas combines with hydrogen to form ammonium ions (NH4+), which are chemically and biologically active and can be taken up by plants.

leaching

The process by which minerals dissolved in a liquid (usually water) are transported to another location (generally downward through soil horizons).

weathering

The process by which rocks and minerals are broken down, turning large particles into smaller particles. Weathering may proceed by physical, chemical, or biological means.

ocean acidification

The process by which today's oceans are becoming more acidic (attaining lower pH) as a result of increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. Ocean acidification occurs as ocean water absorbs CO2 from the air and forms carbonic acid. This impairs the ability of corals and other organisms to build exoskeletons of calcium carbonate, imperiling coral reefs and the many organisms that depend on them.

eutrophication

The process of nutrient enrichment, increased production of organic matter, and subsequent ecosystem degradation in a water body.

refining

The process of separating molecules of the various hydrocarbons in crude oil into different-sized classes and transforming them into various fuels and other petrochemical products.

net primary productivity

The rate at which net primary production is produced. The energy or biomass that remains in an ecosystem after autotrophs have metabolized enough for their own maintenance through cellular respiration. Net primary production is the energy or biomass available for consumption by heterotrophs.

floodplain

The region of land over which a river has historically wandered and periodically floods.

age structure

The relative numbers of individuals of different ages within a population. Age structure can have a strong effect on rates of population growth or decline and is often expressed as a ratio of age classes, consisting of organisms (1) not yet mature enough to reproduce, (2) capable of reproduction, and (3) beyond their reproductive years.

Transpiration

The release of water vapor by plants through their leaves.

erosion

The removal of material from one place and its transport to another by the action of wind or water.

desalination

The removal of salt from seawater to generate fresh water for human use.

How is the 6th mass extinction different from the previous 5 mass extinction periods?

The sixth mass extinction is believed to be caused by human-related factors.The sixth mass extinction is believed to be caused by natural forces.The sixth mass extinction is believed to affect relatively fewer species.The sixth mass extinction is believed to affect relatively fewer areas.

atoms

The smallest component of an element that maintains the chemical properties of that element.

biosphere

The sum total of all the planet's living organisms and the nonliving portions of the environment with which they interact.

Where does the energy in ecosystems come from? Where does it go?

The sun and it disappears as heat

atmosphere

The thin layer of gases surrounding planet Earth.

replacement fertility

The total fertility rate (TFR) that maintains a stable population size.

monocultures

The uniform planting of a single crop over a large area. Characterizes industrial agriculture.

water table

The upper limit of groundwater held in an aquifer.

IPM

The use of multiple techniques in combination to achieve long-term suppression of pests, including biological control, use of pesticides, close monitoring of populations, habitat alteration, crop rotation, transgenic crops, alternative tillage methods, and mechanical pest removal

precision agriculture

The use of technology to precisely monitor crop conditions, crop needs, and resource use to maximize production while minimizing waste of resources.

independent variable

The variable that a scientist manipulates in an experiment.

dependent variable

The variable that is affected by manipulation of the independent variable in an experiment.

biodiversity

The variety of life across all levels of biological organization, including the diversity of species, genes, populations, and communities. The term is short for biological diversity.

runoff

The water from precipitation that flows into streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds, and (in many cases) eventually to the ocean.

One of the biggest environmental advantages of nuclear power over fossil fuels is:

There are no net emissions of carbon dioxide and low emissions of other air pollutants

How has temperature and CO2 concentrations changed over the past 800,000 years?

There has been peaks and valleys (ice age and non ice ages) but today we breath the worst hottest air in the last 800,000 years

geothermal energy

Thermal energy that arises from beneath Earth's surface, ultimately from the radioactive decay of elements amid high pressures deep underground. Can be used to generate electrical power in power plants, for direct heating via piped water, or in ground-source heat pumps.

What is thermohaline circulation and how might climate change affect it?

Thermohaline circulation begins in the Earth's polar regions. When ocean water in these areas gets very cold, sea ice forms. ... These deep-ocean currents are driven by differences in the water's density, which is controlled by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline). This process is known as thermohaline circulation. Global warming can affect this by warming surface waters and melting ice that adds fresh water to the circulation, making the waters less saline; this freshening of the water can prevent the cold waters from sinking and thus alter ocean currents. As the planet warms, more and more fresh water is entering the system.

What are marine protected areas and marine reserves? Can they help marine species recover?

They are areas in the oceans that fisherman are not allowed to go, it can help marine species recover but these areas are hard to regulate

Which of the following describes a characteristic of fuel cells?

They are highly efficient.

How is electricity generated in a power plant?

Through the use of steam spinning a turbine that turns mechanical energy into electrical energy

The average number of children born per female member of a population is the __________ Growth rate Birth rate Total fertility rate Fertility rate

Total fertility rate

The policy completely stopped population growth in China.

Total fertility rate

How do traditional and industrial agriculture differ?

Traditional agriculture uses human and animal muscle power, hand tools, and simple machines whereas industrial agriculture uses large scale mechanization and fossil fuels to boost yields

At which stage of demographic transition does population grow the fastest? Pre-industrial Transitional Industrial Post industrial

Transitional

What are the 3 important components of a good controlled experiment?

Treatment, Control, Replication

According to estimates, the global ecological footprint has already surpassed the earth's biocapacity to support it.

True

Countries with slow or no population growth will have difficulties supporting the elderly population in the future.

True

Forests act as carbon sinks and their removal can reduce the biosphere's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

True

Higher sea levels are not only expected to flood large areas of island nations such as the Maldives, but also cause salt water to contaminate drinking water supplies.

True

In the net metering system, homeowners who generate electricity with photovoltaic cells can sell the excess to the power company and receive credit for the power donated.

True

Selective breeding mixes genes from individuals of the same species, whereas GMOs can have genes from different species mixed together.

True

The United Kingdom achieved the greatest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990-2015.

True

The melting of glaciers will impact people that live near mountains by reducing their summer supply of water that originates from glacier melt.

True

When the total fertility rate drops below 2.1 the population (in absence of immigration) will shrink.

True

Which part of an electrical power plant transforms wind, water, or steam energy into mechanical energy? Boiler Condenser Turbine Generator

Turbine

What is the fuel type needed for nuclear reactors? Plutonium U-235 U-238 Krypton

U-235

Which country uses the most oil and natural gas? China Russia U.S. Japan

U.S.

What country produces the most nuclear power? What % of our electricity in the US is nuclear?

United States - 20%

What material is mined for nuclear power? How is nuclear power used to generate electricity?

Urnanium- 235

Which of the following methods does organic farming include?

Use of biocontrol Use of compost or manure

Which of the following is a non-consumptive use of water?

Using water to generate hydroelectricity

Which renewables are growing the fastest?

WIND AND SOLAR

What are the common greenhouse gases?

Water Vapor (H20), Ozone (O2), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrious Oxide (N2O), Methane (CH4)

ground water

Water held in aquifers underground.

Which of the following is NOT true about the Ogallala Aquifer?

Water is being overdrawn mostly for use in nearby cities and suburbs

surface water

Water located atop Earth's surface.

How is desalination accomplished? What are its disadvantages?

Water molecules pass through the pores, while salt ions are turned back. Desalination methods can utilize either thermal processes (involving heat transfer and a phase change) or membrane processes (using thin sheets of synthetic semipermeable materials to separate water from dissolved salt). Expensive Leaves Excess Salt

Precipitation

Water that condenses out of the atmosphere and falls to Earth in droplets or crystals.

Why are keystone species important? What are examples of keystone species?

Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether. Keystone species have low functional redundancy. This means that if the species were to disappear from the ecosystem, no other species would be able to fill its ecological niche Sharks. Sea Otter. Snowshoe hare. The African Elephant. Prairie dogs. Starfish. Gray Wolves. Grizzly bears.

Has food production kept up with population?

Yes but food distribution has not

ecosystem engineers

a keystone species that creates or maintains habitat for other species

All of the following correctly describe fossil fuels EXCEPT: -ancient solar energy stored in the form of chemical energy releases heat energy when burned -dead organic material, buried, compressed and heated -a renewable energy source -includes coal, oil, and natural gas

a renewable energy source

independent variable

a variable that a scientist manipulates or changes in an experiment

Which one has the most influence on a nation's total environmental impact? population affluence technology

affluence

We use most of our freshwater for ______. lawns houses industry agriculture

agriculture

Biomass can be used generate energy for which of the following uses? heating electricity powering vehicles

all of the above

Which of the following are possible negative effects of hydraulic fracking? -fracking fluids can contaminate ground water -the fracking process can lead to air pollution -methane can leak into well water increasing the risk of explosions -fracking depletes freshwater supplies -all of the above

all of the above

Which of the following can do respiration? producers consumers decomposers all of the above

all of the above

Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?

all of the above are greenhouse gases

Which of the following is affecting coral reefs? nutrient pollution acidic ocean water warmer water all of these

all of these

Which of the following energy sources is not found in western Colorado? oil shale natural gas uranium all of these are found here

all of these are found here

Be able to predict how an anthropocentrist, biocentrist, and ecocentrist would differ in a given scenario.

anthropocentrism-A human-centered view of our relationship with the environment. biocentrism-A philosophy that ascribes relative values to actions, entities, or properties on the basis of their effects on all living things or on the integrity of the biotic realm in general. The biocentrist evaluates an action in terms of its overall impact on living things, including—but not exclusively focusing on—human beings. ecocentrism - A philosophy that considers actions in terms of their damage or benefit to the integrity of whole ecological systems, including both living and nonliving elements. For an ecocentrist, the well-being of an individual is less important than the long-term well-being of a larger integrated ecological system.

an underground water reservoir

aquifers

the layer of air surrounding the planet

atmosphere

Solutions with a pH more than 7 are called:

basic

Why is our current energy use not sustainable?

because we use fossil fuels which will run out

Which animal product requires the most land and water per pound of protein? chicken pork beef milk

beef

During the last million years, the climate of the Earth has not changed gotten warmer gotten colder been warm and cold

been warm and cold

The use of a living organism to control pests and weeds is called:

biocontrol

Using a living organism to control pests defines: organic farming biocontrol IPM precision agriculture

biocontrol

___________________ is a renewable form of methane. biodiesel biogas ethanol methane hydrates

biogas

the pathway that a nutrient cycles through in the environment

biogeochemical cycle

What is a major natural flux in the nitrogen cycle? industrial N fixation weathering photosynthesis biological N fixation

biological N fixation

How does soil form? Why is topsoil the most important soil layer for agriculture?

biological imputs forms hummus and weathering of parent material. Topsoil is the most important because ir contains the most organic material

Developing countries use more of this energy than developed countries. hydroelectric wind coal biomass

biomass

all of the planet's living organisms and the nonliving portions of the environment with which they interact (includes soil)

biosphere

the application of biological science to create products derived from organisms.

biotechnology

Which one is an example of climate change adaptation (not mitigation)? using LED lights driving electric cars using solar panels building seawalls around Miami

building seawalls around Miami

Which natural process is found in all three cycles (C, N, P)? photosynthesis burial fixation respiration

burial X(

What human flux makes the biggest difference in the carbon cycle? burning fossil fuels and deforestation burial photosynthesis weathering

burning fossil fuels and deforestation

Which of these is not currently a problem with nuclear power in the US? it's expensive radioactive waste cancer near power plants negative public opinion

cancer near power plants

A system in which governments determine an acceptable level of pollution and then issues permits to polluters that will allow them to pollute, or not pollute and sell their permit to another polluter

cap-and-trade

simple sugars that fuel living cells

carbohydrates

The cumulative amount of carbon dioxide that a person or institution is indirectly responsible for emitting into the atmosphere

carbon footprint

When an individual, business, or other entity emits no net carbon dioxide

carbon neutral

Voluntary payments intended to enable another entity to reduce emissions that one is unable to reduce oneself

carbon offsets

Which animal product requires the least land and water per pound of protein? chicken pork beef milk

chicken

computer programs that combine data on atmospheric circulation, ocean circulation, atmosphere-ocean interactions, and feedback cycles to simulate climate dynamics

climate models

Consumption of electricity made from ________ is declining in the United States. wind hydroelectricity coal methane

coal

The most abundant fossil fuel in the world is:

coal

Which of the following emits the most particulates and CO2 when burned? uranium oil coal methane

coal

Which one is a non-renewable resource? wind solar coal geothermal

coal

_________ means plowing perpendicular to the slope. no-till crop rotation contour farming intercropping

contour farming

A scientist wants to test the effects of different amounts of fertilizer on yields of corn. In 4 fields he grows corn without any fertilizer. In 4 other fields, he adds 10 lbs of fertilizer per acre. In still another 4 fields, he adds 20 lbs of fertilizer per acre. At the end of the growing season, he harvests the corn and measures the weight of the crop that results (crop yield). In this experiment, the field without any fertilizer is called the:

control

All of the following would be effective strategies to reduce the rate of global climate change, except ________.

converting natural gas burning electrical generation plants to coal

The most species diverse aquatic ecosystem. estuaries swamps mangroves coral reefs

coral reefs

What is the main source of ethanol in the United States?corn

corn

______ means changing the type of crop that is grown each year. no-till crop rotation contour farming intercropping

crop rotation

For oil, coal and natural gas know the following: How are they formed? Where are the largest reserves? Which country uses the most? What are the environmental impacts of extracting and using it?

decomposed and highly compressed organic materials form fossil fuels Reserves Coal: United States Natural Gas: Iran Oil: Venezuela Use: Coal:China Oil: United States Natural Gas: United States Extracting it uses CO2 and Using it releases CO2

Which of the following factors may prevent the least developed countries from completing demographic transition?

demographic fatigue

the model of change in birth and death rates in countries as they became industrialized industrialization pre-industrial stage demographic transition family planning

demographic transition

A scientist wants to test the effects of different amounts of fertilizer on yields of corn. In 4 fields he grows corn without any fertilizer. In 4 other fields, he adds 10 lbs of fertilizer per acre. In still another 4 fields, he adds 20 lbs of fertilizer per acre. At the end of the growing season, he harvests the corn and measures the weight of the crop that results (crop yield). In this experiment, the weight of the corn crop is called the:

dependent variable

What is the Colorado River Compact? What states are a part of it? Does the Colorado River reach the ocean? Why is Is it so salty?

distribution of water Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, California, Arizona It rarely reaches the ocean Erosion of geological forms that have salt in them

The state reached when processes within a system are moving in opposing directions at equivalent rates so that their effects balance out.

dynamic equilibrium

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the idea of sustainability? a)Living within our planet's means, so that the earth's resources can sustain us and all living things into the future b)Leaving our grandchildren a world as rich in biodiversity and healthy as the world we live in now c)Conserving earth's resources so our descendants will be able to use them as well d)Maintaining fully functional ecosystems e)Living on nature's capital, rather than living on nature's interest

e)Living on nature's capital, rather than living on nature's interest

A ________________person would value the well-being of entire species, communities, or ecosystems over the welfare of a given individual.

ecocentric

A transitional zone where ecosystems meet

ecotone

Which sectors are the two largest sources of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the United States?

electricity generation; transportation

Species that are only found in one place on the planet. generalists specialists endangered endemic

endemic

EROI

energy returned on investment- The ratio determined by dividing the quantity of energy returned from a process by the quantity of energy invested in the process. Higher EROI ratios mean that more energy is produced from each unit of energy invested.

The study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment is:

environmental science

The area where rivers flow into the ocean. estuaries swamps mangroves salt marshes

estuaries

Which of the following has the lowest EROI among renewables? geothermal ethanol hydropower wind

ethanol

The term for the overall phenomenon or process that occurs and leads to dead zones is called:

eutrophication

What is the name of the process that leads to dead zones? respiration weathering eutrophication transpiration

eutrophication

how water moves from surface water into the atmosphere

evaporation

When a population of a species disappears from one area. extinction mass extinction extirpation endemic

extirpation

Which one is correlated with high total fertility rates? female education low infant mortality rates farming cultures access to family planning

farming cultures

Since 1940, food production has grown ________ than the human population. slower faster

faster

When funds from a carbon tax are transferred to taxpayers as a tax refund

fee-and-dividend approach

A circular process in which a system's output serves as input to that same system.

feedback loop

The main source of excess nitrogen and phosphorus that ends up in Chesapeake Bay and leads to eutrophication is:

fertilizer and manure from agriculture

What is a flux in the nitrogen cycle that humans are mostly responsible for?

fertilizer production

"Dead Zones" are created from runoff that specifically contains:

fertilizers

Which of the following is NOT true about the process of eutrophication?

fish die due to lack of light caused by algae

The splitting of an atom into lighter elements is called:

fission

Which process releases nuclear energy? fusion fission combustion fermentation

fission

movement of nutrients between pools

flux or flow

any process where scientists manipulate an organism's genetic material in the lab by adding, deleting, or changing segments of its DNA.

genetic engineering

Heating and cooling buildings by running liquid in pipes between buildings and soil underground is a form of _____________________ energy.

geothermal

Which of these contain the most fresh water? lakes rivers groundwater atmosphere

ground water

water held in saturated zones under the ground

groundwater

The greatest cause of species loss is invasive species habitat loss pollution disease

habitat loss

"Peak oil" is when __________ of the world's oil is depleted. 10sec most half none

half

Wind turbines are generally best positioned ________.

higher to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed

The tendency of a system to maintain constant or stable internal conditions.

homeostasis

The name for an individual layer of soil

horizon

The cause of the sixth mass extinction event is: an asteroid a volcano ice ages humans

humans

Which one influences earth's climate the least (for now)? sun oceans humans atmosphere

humans

an organic compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon

hydrocarbons

A non-consumptive use of water would be golf courses hydropower industry agriculture

hydropower

Which of the following has the highest EROI among renewables? geothermal ethanol hydropower wind

hydropower

all water - oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, icecaps, and clouds

hydrosphere

Water pollution in the United States has ________.

improved in the last 30 years

In what environment did most of the Earth's coal deposits originally form?

in swamps

The most accurate terms describing the trend in the global ecological footprint over the past 50 years are ________.

increasing and unsustainable

Which of these is NOT an ecosystem service of wetlands? recharging aquifers absorbing nutrients increasing runoff reducing flooding

increasing runoff

________ means planting a variety of crops in a field. no-till crop rotation contour farming intercropping

intercropping

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ________.

is an international panel of scientists that reviews and summarizes research on climate change

The study of how landscape structure affects the abundance, distribution, and interaction of organisms.

landscape ecology

when minerals suspended or dissolved in solution are transported downward in soil

leaching

do not dissolve in water and may include oils, waxes, and steroids

lipids

Where is the largest pool or reservoir in the phosphorus cycle?

lithosphere

the earth's rock and sediment layers

lithosphere

Which of the following is the name of the shallow zone along the edges of lakes or ponds usually filled with aquatic plants?

littoral

marsh

lowland with moist soil and tall grasses

substances like DNA and proteins, whose subunits are small molecules

macromolecules

Tropical forests that occur in coastal tidal zones. estuaries swamps mangroves salt marshes

mangroves

bog

marsh, swamp, wetland

What is the main cause of sea level rise with warming climate? thermal expansion of water more rainfall melting ice sinking land

melting ice

Which one consumes so much oxygen that dead zones develop? algae microbe decomposers fish phytoplankton

microbe decomposers

mitigation

mitigation (re: climate change) The pursuit of strategies to lessen the severity of climate change, notably by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

Why is the ocean becoming more acidic and what are effects of ocean acidification?

more acidic (attaining lower PH) as a result of increased carbon dioxide. Ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and forms carbonic acid. Impairs ability of corals and other organisms to build exoskeletons of calcium carbonate, impelling coral reefs and many organisms that depend on them

Climate change will cause _______. later snow melt less flooding more droughts less evaporation

more droughts

A spatial configuration of patches arrayed across a landscape

mosaic

Which animal was not reintroduced to Colorado? bighorn sheep Canadian lynx mountain lion moose

mountain lion

What energy source do we (U.S.) produce the most electricity from? coal natural gas nuclear dams

natural gas

A feedback loop in which output of one type acts as input that moves the system in the opposite direction. The input and output essentially neutralize each other's effects, stabilizing the system.

negative feedback loop

What cycle is the atmosphere biggest? carbon phosphorus nitrogen water

nitrogen

Is switching to renewables bad for the economy and jobs?

no.

Run-off from a suburban neighborhood would be considered which of the following types of pollution?

non-point source

Which one will warm the most with climate change? tropical forests oceans north pole United States

north pole (OH NO NOT SANTA)

Which of the following is not renewable? wind biomass geothermal nuclear

nuclear

carry the hereditary information for organisms and direct the production of proteins

nucleic acids

Which energy source does the world use the most of? coal natural gas oil nuclear

oil

The main component of the O horizon

organic matter

The greatest threat facing ocean ecosystems. oil spills plastic trash overfishing dead zones

overfishing

One of the biggest problems currently facing marine life in oceans is:

overharvesting fish populations

Fossil fuels require all of these conditions to form except heat pressure time oxygen

oxygen

Which of the following is NOT caused by climate change? melting glaciers extreme weather sea level rise ozone hole

ozone hole

Which of the following is not one of the main causes of species loss. Habitat loss Climate change Over harvesting Ozone hole

ozone hole

The base geological material for soils in a particular area

parent material

Use of overhangs that block sunlight in summer but allow the sunlight in winter to warm up the building is an example of:

passive solar energy collection

Spatial areas within a landscape. that may consist of habitat for a particular organism, or communities, or ecosystems

patches

Which source should you trust the most? newspaper peer-reviewed article website book

peer-reviewed article

What cycle is this not a part of the atmosphere? carbon phosphorus nitrogen sulfur

phosphorus

The following chemical equation describes which process: CO2 + H2O + light --> C6H12O6 + O2

photosynthesis

What is this: H2O + CO2 + light ⇨ O2 + C6H12O6 eutrophication photosynthesis respiration nitrogen fixation

photosynthesis

a location that nutrients remain in for a period of time before moving to a different location

pool or reservoir

A feedback loop in which output of one type acts as input that moves the system in the same direction. The input and output drive the system further toward one extreme or another.

positive feedback loop

Climate warms ⇨ permafrost melts ⇨ methane gas released. This is a: positive feedback loop negative feedback loop

positive feedback loop

With increased global temperatures, ice melts in the Polar Regions exposing dark soil surfaces. These dark surfaces absorb more solar radiation than ice (white reflects sunlight), leading to further warming. This scenario is an example of a:

positive feedback loop

The type of energy stored in a reservoir created by a dam is: kinetic chemical potential heat

potential

when water vapor condenses into rain or snow

precipitation

hydraulic fracturing

process to extract tight oil or shale gas, in which a drill is sent deep underground and angled horizontally into a shale formation; water, sand, and chemicals are pumped in under great pressure, fracturing the rock; and gas migrates up through the drilling pipe as sand holds the fractures open. Also called hydrofracking or simply fracking.

Which of the following can photosynthesize? producers consumers decomposers all of the above

producers

Hydropower generated through dams ________.

produces little air pollution

made up of long chains of amino acids

protein

various types of indirect evidence that serve as substitutes for direct measurement, such as using air bubbles trapped in ice cores to estimate past levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide

proxy indicators

the amount of change in thermal energy that a given factor, such as aerosols or carbon dioxide, causes in the earth's energy balance

radiative forcing

Why do experts consider corn ethanol unsustainable?

raises the price of corn includes all the negative impacts of argiculture

By-catch ________.

refers to the capture of marine animals not intended to be caught

subsurface flow

refers to water that flows underground

Canada's age structure diagram ________.

reflects an aging population

riparian

relating to or situated on the banks of a river.

Which of the following is not an ecosystem service provided by biodiversity? controlling insects pollinating plants storing carbon repairing the ozone hole

repairing the ozone hole

the amount of time that nutrients will spend in a given pool

residence time

What is this: C6H12O6 + O2 ⇨ CO2 + H2O + heat eutrophication photosynthesis respiration nitrogen fixation

respiration

Which of the following approaches could generate electricity from rivers while minimizing the environmental impacts of changing natural flood cycles.

run of river technique

The water from precipitation that flows on the soil surface into nearby streams is ______. runoff precipitation transpiration infiltration

runoff

What process goes from bio to hydro in the phosphorus cycle? mining runoff burial photosynthesis

runoff

Grassy areas along flat temperate coastlines are called: estuaries swamps mangroves salt marshes

salt marshes

swamps

shallow water in forested areas

a reservoir that accepts more nutrients than it releases

sink

Select all of the ecosystem services of wetlands from the list below.

slowing runoff, filtering pollutants, reducing flooding, recharging aquifers

The removal of soil from one place through wind or water is called:

soil erosion

a reservoir that releases more nutrients than it accepts

source

A flooded freshwater forest. estuary swamp mangrove salt marsh

swamp

Coal formed mostly from volcanos phytoplankton swamps dinosaurs

swamps

This freshwater ecosystem consists of shallow water in a forested area.

swamps

A network of relationships among a group of parts, elements, or components that interact with and influence one another through the exchange of energy, matter, and/or information.

system

Proven recoverable reserves of a fuel, such as oil, refer to the amount in a deposit that is:

technologically and economically possible to extract

Which area of the globe is expected to warm the most over the coming century?

the Arctic

All of the following countries obtain the majority of their electricity from hydropower except _____________________.

the United States

Carbon dioxide is ________.

the anthropogenic greenhouse gas with the most warming effect (radiative forcing)

treatment

the manipulated part of an experiment or the effect that is to be studied, like fertilizer addition. Is similar to "independent variable"

Which of the following is NOT caused by global warming?

the ozone hole

Fracking has decreased _________________ the supply of natural gas water consumption water pollution the price of natural gas

the price of natural gas

Why does only about half of the solar energy emitted towards the earth actually arrive at the earth's surface?

the rest is absorbed by the atmosphere or reflected back into space

Which of the following are the main three factors influencing earth's climate?

the sun, the atmosphere, and oceans

control

the unmanipulated part of an experiment that serves as a comparison

dependent variable

the variable affected by a manipulated condition

Evolution by natural selection, plate tectonics, and general relativity are all:

theories

Evolution by natural selection, plate tectonics, and general relativity are: facts hypotheses theories paradigms

theories

Which of the following forms of pollution can be caused by removing riparian vegetation?

thermal pollution

Natural gas that formed over millions of years is called thermogenic biogenic ethanol biodiesel

thermogenic

a worldwide oceanic current system that moves warm tropical water towards Europe, making Europe's climate warmer than it would be otherwise

thermohaline circulation

_____ is the release of water vapor through plants leaves. evaporation precipitation transpiration infiltration

transpiration

the release of water vapor by plants through their leaves

transpiration

The average U.S. footprint is about ____________ the average world footprint. the same as less than double triple

triple

Which one has the highest net primary productivity? ocean bottoms deserts tropical forests boreal forests

tropical forests

Which of the following areas or ecosystem types have the most net primary productivity?

tropical rain forests

Co-firing is the process where biomass is combined with coal to produce electricity.

true

Fuel efficiency of automobiles in the U.S. improved (increased) greatly in the late 1970s, but then declined from 1987 to 2004.

true

by-catch

unwanted marine creatures that are caught in the nets while fishing for another species

What do nuclear reactors use as a fuel source?

uranium-235

A study's results are deemed worthy of acceptance into the body of scientific knowledge if they are published in journals which ________

use the peer review process

Hydrogen fuel cells produce ________ as a waste product.

water

the upper limit of the saturated zone below ground

water table

An area of land where all water drains to the same river. aquifer tributary watershed floodplain

watershed

The boundary separating the saturated and unsaturated zones of an aquifer is called: groundwater recharge zone water table floodplain

watertable

The breakdown of large rocks into smaller pieces by physical, chemical and biological processes is called________.

weathering

What is a natural flux in the phosphorus cycle? biological P fixation weathering mining respiration

weathering

Which process adds minerals to soil? decomposition erosion weathering mining

weathering

The term "pesticide resistance" describes

when insect populations develop a resistance to pesticides through the process of natural selection

The fastest-growing source of electricity generation using renewable resources is ________. geothermal tidal hydropower wind

wind

Which of these energy sources is growing the fastest in the U.S.? hydroelectric nuclear geothermal wind

wind

Which of the following energy sources currently produces 20 times as much energy as it consumes?

wind turbines

Which of the following is an example of a keystone species? grass grasshopper wolf bison

woof

Which website is best for verifying facts? www.infowars.com www.snopes.com www.theonion.com www.facebook.com

www.snopes.com

Approximately, what percentage of global energy usage is supplied by fossil fuels?

~80%

Around how much of the energy used in a car is "lost" (escapes as waste heat and doesn't contribute to moving the car forward)?

~85%