ENVIRO 201 FINAL

What do greenbelts and greenways provide us?

1. Urban dwellers need place for recreation 2. Natural lands lessen the impact of cities (ecosystem services)

What are three natural sources of air pollution?

1. Wildfires 2. Volcanoes 3. Dust storms

Are GMOs a risk to human health? What about pesticides?

1. no known risks to human health for consuming GM products 2. pesticide exposure does have human health impacts

What are 3 ways to improve agriculture?

1. no-till agriculture 2. crop rotations 3. winter cover crops

Response

A response will occur if an individual is exposed to a sufficient dose of a hazard -sickness -weakened body function -immune response

Gasoline

A specific petroleum product

What percent of all food produced in the US goes directly into landfills or is incorporated into the ground?

About 40% of all food produced in the US is wasted, more than 160 billion pounds of food a year

Why are we concerned about the high use of chemicals in industry? How many chemicals are manufactured or processed in the United States, and how many high-production volume chemicals have been adequately evaluated as to their basic environmental and human health effects? (approximate numbers)

According to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Chemical Substances Control Inventory, approximately 85,000 chemicals are manufactured or processed in the US

What does acid rain do? Which pollutants make acid rain?

Acid deposition or acid rain has a range of effects -Nutrients in soil leached by acidic water -Activates heavy metals in the soil, which enter food web -Damages plants and crops, dissolves buildings, cars, etc.

Dose

How much of an agent actually gets into the body and causes a health response

What is a hybrid vehicle and why do they get such better gas mileage?

Hybrid Technology Huge Improvement -Vehicles generate a lot of power that is lost -Hybrids store and use excess energy in batteries -Still conventional gas engines, but much better gas mileage

What percentage of the world's land surface is covered by forests?

Today, 30.6% of the Earth's land surface is covered by forest (FAO, 2015) -93% of the world's forest area is natural forest, the rest 7% is planted forest -Within the natural forest, 26% is primary forest, and 74% is secondary forest that have regenerated naturally

Explain the difference between toxicants and toxins

Toxicants: focuses on toxic chemicals Toxins: toxic chemicals produced within a living organism

Pesticide treadmill

chemists change chemicals or increase toxicity to compete with resistant pests

What animals do we put into CAFOs?

chicken, pigs, cows

What are upwelling and downwelling and what do they do to nutrients in the water?

Upwelling- cold, nutrient rich water drawn to surface Downwelling- gas-rich (02, CO2), warm water pulled down, "burying" CO2

Linear economies

Use natural resources to make products and waste (to disposal)

Cyclic economies

Use natural resources to make products and waste to make resources to make more products

Why are smart technologies good investments in terms of lessening our environmental impact?

Use technology that enables or does not require major behavior change -"Smart" grids, "smart" buildings, "smart" appliances

About how many people have died prematurely from indoor air pollution?

WHO estimates 3.5 million premature deaths due to indoor air pollution

Why is water called the universal solvent? Why does this property make monitoring water so important?

Water is the "universal solvent" because more substances can be dissolved in water than any other liquid

How has our consumption of meat changed in the US in the 20th century

We eat significantly more meat now

What are the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes? What do these indexes show in terms of American's investment strategies/ philosophies?

What is a cyclical economy and how is it different than a traditional linear economy?

Globally, clean water is of huge concern because there are many reasons people do not have access to clean water and sanitation. War, droughts, and natural disasters are all major reasons water is scarce in many of these regions. To combat this, groups like the UN and Engineers Without Borders work to improve fresh water access internationally.

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Define and differentiate between bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

bioaccumulation: the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other chemicals in an organism biomagnification: the concentration of toxins in an organism as a result of its ingesting other plants or animals in which the toxins are more widely disbursed

Urbanization

move to more dense city populations, expanding businesses, etc

Anthropogenic

originating in human activity

National forest

public lands set aside to produce timber, protect watersheds, and ensure future timber supplies

Surface water

water accessible on the Earth's surface. Includes oceans, lakes, streams, wetlands, etc. -Lost through evaporation-Replenished through precipitation and snow melt -Small amounts of surface water recharge groundwater

Ground water

water located below the Earth's surface, in soil or rock space

Teleworking/telecommuting

working from home

Benefits of the Green Revolution

•Intensified agriculture saved millions from starvation -Turning India into a grain exporter •Rich farmers with lots of land benefited -Poor farmers were driven off the land into cities

What are some key features of "smart growth?"

"Smart growth"-- using urban growth boundaries and land use policies to promote growth -Mix land uses -Create walkable neighborhoods -Preserve open space/environment -Both investors and community part of development

What is the long emergency and what would happen if oil dramatically spiked in our community?

"The long emergency": lacking cheap oil to transport goods, our economies decline and become localized

Rule of capture

"ground water is the private property of the owner of the overlying land"Or 'law of the biggest pump'

Why are 'traditional' landscape plants being abandoned more for 'native landscapes' and landscapes that match the environment like xeriscaping?

'Traditional' landscape plants require large amounts of fertilizer and water -Some regions encourage "native landscapes" or mandate xeriscaping (low water use plants)

Bisphenol A

(BPA) an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate, a hard, clear plastic, which is used in many consumer products.

How can peer pressure be used positively to create new social norms?

-'Traditional' landscape plants require large amounts of fertilizer and water -Some regions encourage "native landscapes" or mandate xeriscaping (low water use plants) -Laws in Texas, California, and Arizona to limit water waste

Where and what is the Ogallala Aquifer and why is it important to us?

-174,000 sq miles; Dry agricultural region; Withdrawals of 1.5 ft/yr; recharge ~6 in/yr -Once > all freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams combined in the US -Most water came from Pleistocene glaciers= little to no recharge -Heavy pumping for irrigation means the aquifer is drying up

What seafood choices are sustainable? Which are not? - focus on farmed vs wild-caught and imported vs domestic, not the type of fish for this question.

-Farmed fish from a healthy population are the most sustainable -Wild caught not sustainable if the population is not healthy -Domestic and farmed most sustainable

Explain the background and causes of the Flint Water Crisis. How does lead affect the body and which demographic of people are especially at risk of developing health problems from lead exposure?

-2014: the emergency manager for Flint, MI switches from a Detroit-based water source to the Flint River -Flint River water, which is slightly more acidic, caused corrosion of the lead-based plumbing -Corrosion of the pipes led to significant lead contamination in the drinking water of residents -Flint residents were exposed to significant amounts of lead in their drinking water before the problem was identified -Lead is a potent neurotoxicant and developmental toxicant and it can be stored in the bones for years before mobilizing

How much 'stuff' goes into an acre of corn? You don't need to know exact numbers, just a ball park of how much an acre of corn uses.

-594,000 gallons of freshwater -140 gallons of gasoline -200 pounds of fertilizers (N&P) Several pounds of pesticides, herbicides, etc. More than -90,000,000 acres of land just for corn!

What is a ballast tank and how do they relate to invasive species?

-A ballast tank is a compartment within a boat, ship or other floating structure that holds water, which is used as ballast to provide stability for a vessel. -Brings invasive species into the region

What is REDD and what does this program do? Give an example.

-A global mechanism of climate mitigation -Developing countries are rewarded financially for any emissions reductions through avoided deforestation **Ex. Norway promised to pay Guyana $250 million if Guyana reduces forest loss

How do we commute to work as a county? How many US workers use mass transportation?

-Average American spends ~50 minutes each day commuting ~75% of Americans commute by car, alone

Why is antibiotic use in farm animals such a big concern?

-Bacterial resistance to antibiotics growing concern -50-80% of all antimicrobials sold in US for food production (FDA 2012, 13) -"There is no evidence that antibiotic resistance is not a problem, but there is insufficient evidence as to how big a problem it is"

Know at least 2 alternatives to protected areas that aim at balancing nature conservation and human development.

-Buffer Zone -Conservation Easement

Why have resource-poor areas seen the largest growth in the US?

-Cheap fossil fuels and powerful technologies (e.g., Dallas) -Water is brought in from distant areas (e.g. Las Vegas) -Land is relatively cheap

Which living conditions are better for the environment, city or country lifestyles?

-City lifestyles are less sustainable -Country lifestyles are better for ecological footprints

Which Atlantic fishery collapsed in the 1980s off the coast of Canada and Maine? How did the US and Canadian governments react to this collapse? What does this fishery look like today?

-Cod-- groundfish (benthic fish) -Major fishery Canada and Northeastern United States -$700 million fishery, 16% Newfoundland workforce -Collapsed in 1980s-90s -Moratorium on fishing $4 billion in compensation to workers Not fully recovered to this day

What about transit-oriented growth?

-Communities that develop around or adopt major mass transit systems -Mass transit much cheaper, efficient, and cleaner -Eases traffic congestion -Most US cities rely on heavy rail or busses -Heavy rail is best transit in terms of least energy (BTUs) and cost per passenger mile

Bottled water is classified as food by the FDA, what does this mean in terms of unintended contaminants?

-Companies do not have to inform the public where their water comes from or how it is treated -Not required to test samples with labs or notify the FDA of contamination problems

Why are US cities some of the most energy intensive cities in the world?

-Congestion is growing in areas of every size -less efficient

What are the major causes and consequences of deforestation?

-Conversion for agriculture (most common) -Logging -Conversion for development -Fires -Degradation due to climate change (e.g. pest outbreak) Consequences: Increased CO2 emission and decreased carbon sequestration -Reduced biodiversity -Soil degradation -Disruption of water cycle -Disrupted livelihoods

What does CAFE stand for and what does it do?

-Corporate Average Fuel economy -Regulations in the United States, first enacted by the United States Congress in 1975, after the 1973-74 Arab Oil Embargo, to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks produced for sale in the United States

What is a bio-economy?

-Currently a fossil economy -Many petroleum products could be made with bio-based alternatives -Anything from petroleum can be made from plant material (it's all C)

What are some pros and cons of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)? What is this pipeline designed to do?

-Currently most Dakota oil shipped via trains -Proposed DAPL adjacent to Standing Rock Indian Reservation -DAPL protests spring 2016 -Protests for two main reasons: -The project has/will destroy Sioux sacred grounds -Worries that if a spill happened, freshwater in jeopardy

How has organic agriculture production changed from the mid-90s until now?

-Demand for organic food has dramatically risen -Government initiatives have assisted the growth of organic farming -More land being used for organic farming

In terms of global climate change, which types of pollution have more of an impact, ones with days of residence time in the atmosphere, or ones with years of residence time in the atmosphere? Which have more of an impact locally?

-Depending on the chemical, air pollutants can linger in the atmosphere for days to 100s of years (residence time) -Years of residency have more of an impact, but days/hours impacts more locally

What are Tar Sands? Why do we use this "low quality" source of petroleum today?

-Deposits of sand and clay with 1-20% bitumen, a form of thick, "low quality" petroleum -Low EROI (3:1) due to cost of extraction and purification -Extracting Tar Sands -Two main extraction methods -Strip-mining and well-extraction

What is the Aigamo method in Asian rice production? How is this method related to sustainable agriculture?

-Developed ~20 yrs ago in Japan -Ducklings, fish and Azolla (tiny fern) grown with rice-->Ducks and fish eat pests and weeds, Azolla adds N -Increases yields 20-50% and less manual labor

Why do we feed cows corn instead of grass, which is what they have evolved to eat (they are a class of mammals called ruminates)?

-Fattens more quickly; quicker to market -Different taste, 100% grass-fed "gamier" -Physiological diseases increased with grain, cows eating corn changes their body to be more similar to people

Many foods like meat, eggs, soda, butter, beer have gotten cheaper in the past 50 years, where fruits and veggies are getting more expensive. Why has this happened? The same question could be asked about why a salad costs more than a big mac.

-Fresh produce has a short shelf life, which means that it spoils and therefore can't be bought in bulk and stored in the same way processed or preserved foods can. -Fruits and veggies also lack the backing of government subsidies, such as those for products like high fructose corn syrup, and they can't be mass produced in an automated assembly line. We just have to wait for nature to ripen the apples.

What are some major contributing factors to indoor air pollution?

-Fuelwood large source of indoor pollutants for rural regions and the developing world -Smoking indoors and second-hand smoke -Radon gas exposure from the Earth 2nd leading cause of lung cancer (21k deaths a year in US) -Microbes and animals also a large source of pollutants -Some microbes induce allergic responses, called building related illness -Sick-building syndrome occurs in relatively older buildings where mold (mostly) builds up in walls and floors causing sickness

What are some household items that are petroleum based. If I were to ask you about an item, say your cellphone, could you identify a petroleum product on it?

-Gas used to make electricity used to charge phone -gasoline in a car -nylon and polyester clothing

What are some drawbacks to zoning?

-Government restrictions on private lands -Opponents say restrictions violate individual freedoms

Bovine Growth Hormone

-Increases milk production (which decreases costs) -FDA, WHO, NIH have all stated dairy and meat from treated cows safe for human consumption -No definitive scientific evidence linking early puberty with milk produced from hormone-injected cows

What is Bovine Growth Hormone and why was it used? Is it "safe"?

-Increases milk production (which decreases costs) -FDA, WHO, NIH have all stated dairy and meat from treated cows safe for human consumption -No definitive scientific evidence linking early puberty with milk produced from hormone-injected cows

Why has the EROI of oil and natural gas gone from ~30:1 in the 1950s to ~11:1 or 3:1 currently?

-It takes a lot of energy to get energy -Net energy= Energy returned - Energy invested -EROI or Energy Returned on Investment -EROI= Energy returned/ energy invested What remains is deeper in the ground or farther off-shore, requires much more energy to extract, and is more toxic to produce

Why do we need environmentally conscious people in non-environmental careers the most?

-It will require buy-in across the economy and throughout the globe -We must redesign human systems to become sustainable

Organic

-Low-input agriculture -Abandons synthetic fertilizers and relies on biocontrol of pests

What are some major issues of CAFOs that are contrary to a well-functioning ecosystem?

-Makes food system more industrialized -Cheaper, more efficient -Animal rights -Until recently-- numerous varieties from selective breeding -Selective breeding of battery chickens reduced food requirement from 4kg food/kg eggs to 2 kg food/kg eggs to 2 kg food/kg eggs -Poultry physiology significantly changed -Artificial selection NOT genetic modification

What are the four main treatments for managing ballast water?

-Monitoring and prevention -Ocean Exchange (since 1993) -New treatments being proposed by state and federal government as well as the -International Maritime Organization (by 2020) -UV light, chemicals, filtration -Detection and removal

Why is the Colorado River in the Southwest of such concern when thinking about the future of water availability in the region?

-Most endangered waterway in the US -Major agricultural withdrawals -Major diversion of water to Los Angeles, Arizona and many other localities -Now the river rarely reaches the sea of Cortez Colorado River Compact of 1922-- Rich/dark history

Harber-Bosch Process

-Most nitrogen not usable by crops, but abundant in atmosphere (78% of air) -Created synthetic fertilizer (ammonia and nitrates) from atmospheric N2 -Greatly improved yields and rates of plant growth -Human population greatly increased -Process also important in industry and making explosives

Why properties of cities are improved with a good planning system?

-Nowadays many metropolitan areas expand well beyond the "city" and need regional planning boards (regional planning) -Regional planning around Detroit (at least transit) involves four independent counties!

Why have cities in the southern and western US grown?

-People (retirees) moved from northern and eastern states -Warmer weather, more space -Phoenix grew ~1,500% from 1950 (~100k) to 2015 (~1.6 mil)

What is a point source of air pollution and what is a non-point source of air pollution?

-Point Source: factories and electrical factories -Non-point source: rainfall or snow melt (Carries ground pollutants into bodies of water, etc.)

What are some costs and benefits of CAFOs?

-Reduces grazing impacts of the environment -Inexpensive way to produce meat -⅓ of world's cropland for animal feed -45% of all grain to livestock -50% of antibiotics consumed by livestock -9% of CO2, 37% of methane, 65% N2O -18% of all emissions driving climate change -More of an impact than automobile transportation

How does BPA affect human health? Why are we especially concerned about babies being exposed to BPA?

-Reproductive abnormalities -Concerning for babies because it is in a lot of baby bottles, pacifiers, etc. and they are more susceptible to its effects

What are some benefits of genetically modified organisms?

1. Ability to increase yields 2. Produce favorable traits 3. New technology 4. Allow greater compatibility with pest management

High Fructose Corn Syrup

-Surplus of corn -Cheap alternative to sugar from sugarcane -Insufficient evidence to state that corn syrup is any less healthy than other sweeteners -BUT we eat significantly more quantities of sugars, which has been linked to obesity and related health problems

What is aquaponics? What types of food can be harvested from this setup?

-Tanks are located on land -Self contained "ecosystem" -Combination of hydroponics and aquaculture -Can grow both meat and vegetables -Can be costly and somewhat difficult to maintain

Which are some of the factors that should be taken into consideration when designing marine reserves?

-Too little and sea life gain little protection -Too large and "spillover" for fishing lost

As mentioned in lecture, these numbers may very well be different from reality (much more so than other numbers presented in class thus far). Why is this? Why is it so hard to quantify how much petroleum is left and how much we are using as consumers?

-Total oil does not equal economically recoverable oil -Sophisticated tools to determine oil locations -Oil recovery is based largely on economics, not technology

What are four major negative human impacts to the Great Lakes?

-Transporting invasive species -Climate change -Algal blooms -Coastal development and sediment loading

How have populations grown in urban vs rural regions in the world?

-Urban regions require a lot of resources to work -Urban regions grow much faster

What is the general process for ocean acidification? (No need for equations just what is happening)

-Water soaks up CO2 and forms carbonic acid -Carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate ion and proton -Ions are pulled into solution and acidity dissolves calcium carbonate in coral reefs

What are a few reasons CSAs have been developed? What are some of the challenges?

-Ways to limit "food miles" Average food product in the US travels at least 1000 miles to get to our grocery stores

Bio-fuel

-renewable -domestically produced -lower carbon -stimulate rural economies

What are UM's four sustainability goals?

1) Climate Action 2) Waste Prevention 3) Healthy Environments 4) Community Engagement

How is Ann Arbor combating food waste? Does it cost more to throw food in the trash or compost it?

1. 2014 Ann Arbor expanded composting efforts, now takes all "plate scrapings" 2. Expected 1,000 tons (2 million lbs.) in first year, to expand to 2,100 tons when fully implemented 3. No additional cost to AA residents, trash is $25.90 a ton and compost $18 a ton 4. All free compost to residents!

What type of LEED building is Dana and what are four ways Dana was made more environmentally friendly?

1. Active and passive solar 2. Radiant cooling and better insulation 3. Salvaged and renewable materials emphasized 4. Outside native areas Dana now a Gold LEED

What are some big issues with petroleum?

1. Air pollution and Public Health 2. Climate Change and Environmental Health

What are some environmental and ecological benefits of organic agriculture?

1. Better soil helps buffer plants against droughts 2. Same yields 3. More profit 4. Less energy and CO

What are the six currently monitored major air pollutants and what effect do they have on the environment and/or human health?

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO): colorless, odorless gas produced by vehicle engines 2. Sulfur dioxide (SO2): colorless, smelly gas produced by coal combustion. Converts to sulfuric acid in the atmosphere and returns to the earth as acid rain 3. Nitrogen oxides (NOx): class of NOx compounds produced from vehicles and energy generation. Produce acid rain, deplete ozone, and form smog 4. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): huge group of carbon containing compounds (organic=carbon in chemistry). One large group- hydrocarbonds like methane, propane, butane and octane. In US about 50% naturally occurring and 50% human produced 5. Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5): Materials that are small enough to be suspended in the atmosphere, can damage respiratory tissues. "Gunk that sticks to your lungs" 6. Lead (Pb): a heavy metal that can enter atmosphere and causes developmental problems in humans and animals

What are the three main types of environmental health hazards, and what is an example of each?

1. Chemical- Any chemical substance (water, mercury, ethanol) 2. Physical-Extreme heat and extreme cold, Radiation 3. Biological- Viruses, Bacteria

List 3 benefits of protected areas.

1. Conserving biodiversity and ecosystems 2. Ecosystem Services, e.g. Clean water, carbon sequestration 3. Income from tourism

What are four drawbacks to aquaculture?

1. Dense populations spread disease 2. Waste buildup and discharge 3. Coastal aquaculture can remove important habitats like mangroves, salt marshes 4. Escapees can damage environment

What are some physical processes on Earth that regulate ocean temperatures?

1. Density differences 2. Heating and cooling of the atmosphere 3. Gravity (tides) 4. Wind/storms 5. Earth's Climate -Thermohaline circulation -El Nino-Southern Oscillation -La Nina

What are some drawbacks to using hydrogen as a fuel source?

1. Expensive 2. Requires lots of electricity to produce All the problems of current electricity system unless we find alternatives Technology to produce H2 economically lacking 3. Gas at room temp

Beyond technology, what are five other reasons fisheries have collapsed?

1. Focus of Maximum Sustainable Yield 2. Size bias-- artificially select for smaller fish by removing large individuals 3. Fishing down the food chain 4. Lack of recovery time and refuges 5. Climate change, increased temperature reduce dissolved oxygen, creating smaller fish

What are four ways Michigan Dining has helped curb food waste and landfill space?

1. Increased composting, WeCare Organics in AA 2. Shift to "small plates" 3. "Just ask!" campaign 4. Surplus food given to Ann Arbor's Food Gatherers

What are some ecological concerns about GMOs?

1. Increased pesticide application harms non-target organisms 2. Reduced genetic diversity -Contamination of non-GM crop species -Reduction of genetic diversity of pest species, creating "super bugs" -Few crop varieties used bc of ownership and cost 3. Increased pesticide resistance -Some insects have already become resistant to Bt cotton -Potential for pesticide treadmill as pests evolve

What are some ways biodiversity enhances food security?

1. Industrial agriculture has narrowed our diet Wild and rare species can improve food security -Rely on only a few varieties of each crop, mostly controlled by corporations 2. Wild strains provide disease resistance and variety 3. Food producers and customers prefer uniform, standardized food

What are the main exposure routes for chemicals to enter the body?

1. Ingestion- Swallowing a hazard or consuming contaminated food/liquids; Drinking water contaminated with lead 2. Inhalation-Breathing in a gaseous agent or the fumes given off by a chemical; Breathing in car exhaust fumes 3. Dermal- Absorbing an agent through the skin Pesticide spray

What are three reasons the US lags in terms of transit oriented growth?

1. Low population densities and cheap fuel 2. Many cities designed for vehicle transit 3. Supply and demand

What are some drawbacks to organic agriculture?

1. No subsidies 2. "Big Organic" 3. Generally more work and craft 4. Spoilage (no additives to extend shelf life) 5. Arduous certification process

What are the four main classifications of sources? Give an example of each.

1. Point source: smokestack from a factory 2. Area source: agricultural runoff 3. Stationary: incinerator 4. Mobile: automobile

List at least 5 ecosystem services that are provided by forests.

1. Provide timber, food and other resources 2. Stabilize soil and prevent erosion 3. Slow runoff, prevent flooding, purify water 4. Store carbon, release oxygen 5. Influence weather and moderate climate 6. Other cultural, aesthetic, health and recreational values

What are the three main zoning types?

1. Residential 2. Industrial 3. Commercial zoning

What are three benefits of no-till agriculture?

1. Restore soil quality 2. Captures carbon that would have been released into the atmosphere 3. Burn less gasoline

What are the major factors that determine forest types?

1. Temperature 2. Precipitation 3. Soil 4. Topography

List some of the diverse habitats the ocean creates

1. Tidal pools 2. Salt marshes 3. Mangrove forests 4. Estuaries 5. Kelp forest 6. Coral reefs

What are the three main ways that we acquire oil from the Earth?

1. Traditional Extraction-- Drilling 2. Oil Shale-- "Tar Sands Strip mining or well extraction 3. Deepwater

What are some environmental and health impacts of urban sprawl?

1. transportation: have to have a car, lacking mass transit 2. Pollution: more CO2, acid rain 3. Health: less walking-->fatter 4. Land use: larger land use for same population 5. Economics: more tax dollars to facilitate the same number of people

How many LEED buildings do we have on campus?

12

How have energy inputs changed in terms of raising cattle from the 1940s to today?

1940 -Produced 2.3 calories of food/calorie of fossil fuel input 2010 -Produced 1 calorie of food/10 calories of fossil fuel input -Over 200 times the energy inputs!

Roughly how much more does bottled water cost than tap water?

300 times more 6.75 VS $0.0065

Do we eat or throw away the majority of all fruits and veggies produced in the US?

40-50% is thrown out and wasted

How many Americans are exposed to unsafe drinking water in their lifetimes?

6 million 1 in 10 Americans

How much was the food industry worth approximately in 2006?

646 billion

How many people are chronically undernourished or living without food security in the world?

880- undernourished 42 million without food security

How many people live with polluted air daily?

92% of all people who live in places with air pollution that exceeds WHO limits

Aquifer

A geological formation containing large quantities of usable groundwater -Recharged (slowly!) by infiltration of surface water -Removed by natural springs & human withdrawal

Protected area

Aclearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values -14.8% of the world's land area

Petroleum

An oily, thick, liquid fossil fuel occurring in the earth's crust

What is mycobond and what environmental problem are they attempting to address

An organic adhesive that turns agri waste into foam-like material for packaging and insulation Deals with the issues of eliminating agricultural waste products

Oil

Another name for petroleum

What is the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)? Why does a focus on MSY fail to produce sustainable fisheries?

Artificially select for smaller fish by removing large individuals -fishing down the food chain -lack of recovery time and refuges

Why are pesticides and other chemicals particularly dangerous to infants and small children?

Babies are born "pre-polluted"-- 232 chemicals were in umbilical cords of babies tested -Not all synthetic chemicals pose health risks -But very few of the 100,000 chemicals on the market have been tested

Bt

Bacillus thuringiensis or "bug toxic"= poisons any bug that eats it

Based on current predictions (from your book), how many years of oil, natural gas, and coal do we have left?

Based on current use (~30 billion barrels/year) about 54 years left for oil Natural gas = ~64 years Coal = ~112 years

What are the traits that allow chemicals to bioaccumulate, and what are some examples of chemicals that bioaccumulate? Why are we concerned about eating large fish such as swordfish and king mackerel?

Bioaccumulation: accumulation of a substance in an organism -Toxicants are not excreted easily or quickly -Usually hydrophobic-- store in fat Continuous exposure and low excretion leads to buildup What bioaccumulates? Heavy metals-- mercury, lead Pesticides

What are some substances that can be made into biodiesel?

Biodiesel -Made from fats -Soybean oil -Algae -Used cooking grease Algae as Biofuel -Derived from phytoplankton -100k's of species, can grow in fresh, salt water, wastewater -Really promising, but still in R&D phase

How is genetic modification the same/different than artificial selection?

Both genetic engineering and artificial selection allow humans to change a species so that its members are better suited for human needs. However, the mechanism for change is different. Artificial selection selects for traits already present in a species, whereas genetic engineering creates new traits

Fresh drinking water is highly regulated in the US with 100,000+ tests on water quality done annually. What about bottled water? In general, in the US, which is safer or better regulated? Which is cheaper?

Bottled water is classified as "food" by the FDA Of 10 leading brands, most contain contaminates Bottled water has 500x the carbon footprint of tap water Tap Water Over 150,000 water quality analyses every year Monitor for 280 different substances More tightly regulated than bottled water Environmental Engineering Careers

What are two issues regarding environmental ethics related to fisheries? Why are we concerned about the future of fisheries?

Bycatch- unintended catch of non-targets Bottom trawling severely damages ocean floor and coral -likened to clear cutting a forest to hunt deer

Aquaculture

Can be made up of fish, shrimp, or clams/oysters -cages are located in a waterbody -free flow of nutrients, waste, parasites, etc. into and out of cages -product large quantities in small areas 50% of the worlds seafood

What is a catalytic converter and why do we have them in our vehicles?

Catalytic converters filter exhaust pollutants

Just a few decades ago, much of the eastern US had rain that was as acidic as vinegar raining down. What law was put in place to curtail acid rain and what did the law do (or what is cap-and-trade)?

Clean Air Act of 1990 -Established cap and trade -Encourages cleaner technologies -Dirty companies can trade pollution credits to limit SO2 and NOx production

What is an Urban Growth Boundary and what do they do? What are three pros and three cons of this type of development restriction?

Combating sprawl: creating urban growth boundary (UGB) UGB implemented in WA, OR, and TN to curb sprawl Pros: -Rural areas conserved and close to the city -More accessibility to nature -Direct urban growth Cons: -Government regulates what is urban and what is rural -Citizens loose liberty to develop their own land -Urban land "gridlocked" and land prices rise considerably

CSA

Community Supported Agriculture is a system that connects the producer and consumers within the food system more closely by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms

CAFO

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

How do coral reefs become "bleached" and what are the stressors that cause this to happen?

Coral are symbiotic organisms with algae (zooxanthellae) Prolonged stress causes coral to expel algae, breaking symbiosis Stressors include -Heat -Pollution -Over exposure to light -Extreme low tides -Ocean Acidification

What are the two largest monocultures?

Corn and soy

What are some costs of the Green Revolution?

Costs: Requires high energy input—oil, seed, fertilizer -Not for poor/small sized farmers •In fact, high yields = surpluses = lower prices = poorer farmers •Corporate ownership of crops also pressures farmers •Fewer varieties, more monoculture = more disease potential = more pesticides and herbicides needed

What, when, and where what the Deepwater Horizon Spill? Why was this such a disaster? What were some ecosystem services and industries that were lost (or severely damaged) in the Gulf Region?

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010) -Explosion on an offshore oil rig in Gulf of Mexico -11 workers killed -Created massive leak on ocean floor -Leaked for ~3 months -Released nearly 5 billion barrels of crude oil

Explain the history of DDT usage, why its use decline, why its use is such a contentious issue even today.

Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) -Developed in 1940 as a synthetic insecticide; Used to protect against primarily mosquitos, Sprayed on crops, in buildings, and directly on the skin (akin to bug spray) -Extremely effective at reducing insect population and reducing the spread of malaria and other insect-borne diseases -However, many negative environmental effects -Thinning of bald eagle eggshells- -Rachel Carson's Silent Spring -Very persistent in the environment and bioaccumulative human health effects: -High acute exposure: dizziness, vomiting, nausea -Animal studies: liver cancer, reproductive effects Possibly carcinogenic in humans As a result of its environmental and human health effects, DDT was banned in the US in 1972 -Can be manufactured and sold to foreign countries -Can be used only in emergencies involving insect-borne disease However, DDT is still largely used worldwide Malaria still responsible for over 800,000 deaths/year worldwide Mosquitos are beginning to develop resistance

What is peak oil and why should we care about it?

Discoveries of new oil fields peaked 30 years ago, and we are using more oil than we have -The point in time when the maximum rate of extraction of petroleum is reached, after which it is expected to enter terminal decline

What are the three industrialized fishing practices that have overexploited our oceans? Which is the worst and why?

Driftnetting: long nets are dragged through water Longline fishing: Lines with numerous hooks are set in water Bottom trawling: Industrial method which uses enormous nets weighed down with heavy ballast which are dragged along the sea floor, raking up or crushing everything in their way (The worst because it ruins the ecosystem and kills animals)

E85 fuel

E85 is an abbreviation typically referring to an ethanol fuel blend of 85% denatured ethanol fuel and 15% gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume.

What are the EPA, USDA, USGS, USFWS, and DNR? Know what the acronyms mean

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency USDA: US Department of Agriculture USGS: US Geological Survey USFWS: US Fish & Wildlife DNR: Dept of Natural Resources

What are the consequences of clear-cutting of forests in North America in the 19th and 20th century?

Early European settlers: forests as an obstacle or a resource Industrial revolution: huge demand for lumber Consequences: clearance of primary forests; fundamental change in ecosystem, post-logging fire -The 1871 "Peshtigo Fire" killed 1,200-1,5000 lives in WI and MI

What is the Flint Water Crisis and why was it such a disaster in terms of public health and safety and bureaucracy?

Emergency Management Team did not apply corrosion inhibitors when water source changed to cheaper Flint River water -Lead leached out of pipes into water supply -6k-12k children exposed to the heavy metal neurotoxin, can be helped, but lifelong effects

EROI

Energy Returned on Investment Energy returned/energy invested

Net energy

Energy returned-energy invested

How many people die a year, at least in some part, due to outside air pollution?

Estimated 3.2 million people die a year because of air pollution -Contributes to strokes, heart disease, and cancer

What is "Fair Trade" and what does this process guarantee you?

Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and Chocolate -Gives farmers fair price for product, mandates standards of ethics

Are expiration labels (besides baby formula) federally regulated in the US currently?

Food Date Labeling Act of 2016 Congress found: -Labels lead up to 90% of Americans to throw out food -Confusion accounts for 20% of consumer waste, about $29 billion a year -Education and labeling most effective strategy

What takes up the largest portion of our landfills?

Food waste is the #1 material in our landfills, more than paper or plastic

Why are US cars so inefficient?

Fuel is cheaper in USA so people can afford to drive cars that use more gas

GMOs

Genetically Modified Organisms -Ability to increase yields -Produce favorable traits -New technology -Allow greater compatibility with pest management

What is Golden Rice and what are three pros and three cons to this GMO?

Golden rice: Rice engineered to fight the Vitamin A deficiency in Asia and the developing world CONS: •After 20 years, still in trial tests •Poorer yield than current rice •Find other ways to get people Vit.-A •Corporations profit, not farmers •Waste of money

How has catch (amount of fish) of global fisheries changed over time? What country/countries differ from that pattern? Why?

Have been declining over time, except China

What were the main sources of lead exposure in the past, and how can we still be exposed to lead today?

Heavy metal used as early as 3000 B.C -Used in water piping, bath lining as it was resistant to corrosion -Used as a food additive by Roman Empire -Lead frequently added to foods as a sweetener, particularly wine -Fall of the Roman Empire attributed by some to extensive lead poisoning Records of widespread sterility and neurological effects NOW -In U.S, added to gasoline in 1920s to improve engine performance Phased out around around 1970s, banned by 1995 -Single-handedly led to significant decreases in lead emissions and pollution -Lead commonly used as an ingredient in paint to create certain colors and shades -Also increased durability and resist moisture Lead is also still used to line the many miles of water piping throughout the US

What is the Mushroom Death Suit and what environmental problem is Jae Rhim Lee attempting to address?

Her Infinity Burial Project explores the choices we face after death, and how our choices reflect our denial or acceptance of death's physical implications. She's been developing a new strain of fungus, the Infinity Mushroom, that feeds on and remediates the industrial toxins we store in our bodies and convert our unused bodies efficiently into nutrients. Her Infinity Burial System converts corpses into clean compost.

Ht

Herbicide tolerant = makes crops resistant to weed killers (herbicides) *Roundup

How does forest support climate mitigation? How would deforestation impact climate change?

How do trees store CO2? Through photosynthesis, trees store carbon as part of their biomass Deforestation: returns the stored carbon into the atmosphere -Forest loss causes at least 17% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, second to the energy sector

What is the difference between a carbon economy and a hydrogen economy?

Hydrogen can be manufactured from a variety of sources (e.g. natural gas, water) -Requires energy to produce -Can make as much as we want, as long as we have other energy sources

Explain Paracelsus's quote "The dose makes the poison". How does this apply to both poisonous chemicals (like mercury) and non-poisonous chemicals (like water)?

If someone drinks a large dose of water, it can be enough to cause an effect. However, just the smallest dose of mercury is also likely to cause an effect.

Why do we add preservatives and enhancers in our food? What substances are not allowed in food?

Improve shelf life or enhance taste or appearance -Synthesized natural or artificial chemicals USA: No carcinogenic substances may be used as food additives (Delaney Clause) -Some linked with health risks but are present to preserve nutrient value and reduce human health impacts from spoilage and contamination

The rebound effect

Improved fuel economy may lead to increased consumption

What was the Cuyahoga River fire of 1969 and what government legislation did it spur?

In US Federal Water Pollution Act of 1972 established, then became the Clean Water Act in 1977 Result of Citizen activism after the numerous fires on the Cuyahoga River (fire of '69 spurred movement)

What is Ann Arbors current water problem?

In the 1980's Gelman Sciences (later Pall Life Sciences) used 1,4-dioxane in manufacturing medical supplies 1,4-dioxane considered a carcinogen 0.35 ppb 1:1 million risk, 3.5 ppb 1:100 risk of cancer -Continuing debate on what to do, and has spurred MI to adopt more water regulations, now 7.2 ppb levels must be cleaned, was 85 ppb

How much waste is generated by food expiration labels?

Just labels account for approx 20% consumer waste

Bio-fuels are derived from ethanol, which is produced in fermentation, just like alcohols people drink like beer, wine, and spirits. Currently, E85, a fuel made of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline is on the market as an alternative to traditional gasoline. These fuels are made from mostly corn in the US today, but in the future, cellulosic ethanol could be a potent energy source because we could use all the parts of plants, including wood, grass clippings, leaves, and any other plant materials we often see rotting on the ground.

Know

There are a variety of plastics that are used in many consumer products. These plastic resins must have a "plastic identification code" on them to be sold in the US. Many of these plastics are fine, but three (Plastic #3, 6, and 7) are often avoided because they are 1) usually impossible to recycle and 2) tend to leech chemicals into whatever they are touching.

Know

What is an LD50 and how is it measured? Know relative LD50 values (what is toxic, what is non-toxic), and be able to why LD50 is limited as a standard of toxicity.

LD50: standard measurement of toxicity 'Lethal dose for 50% of a population' Units: mg/kg-- mg of chemical per kilogram of body weight Measures acute toxicity High LD50: low toxicity Low LD50: high toxicity

LEED

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -move to have new/renovated buildings more environmentally sound -cost 3%-10% more upfront, but quickly higher returns on investment

Source

Location where a hazard originates; can be a point or area source Point= smokestack from a factory area= forest fire stationary= incinerator mobile=automobile

How is sprawl measured?

Low residential density: population and housing density Distant separation of homes: over 1 acre plot Lack of city centers: more strip malls Difficult street networks: more need for cars and longer transportation

How did the highway system facilitate suburbanization? Which groups of people benefitted? Which groups were excluded?

Lower income neighborhoods were excluded

Are farmers responsible for the high food price? Why?

No, most of the uncharges come from packing, transportation, and retail margins

Sick-building syndrome

Occurs in relatively older buildings where mold (mostly) builds up in was and floors causing sickness

How much water on Earth is freshwater?

Only 2.5% of total water

Why is there no such thing as a Zero Emission Vehicle?

Only as "Green" as the electricity grid -Displaces emissions to power plants -US electricity = 68% fossil fuels -MI electricity = 85% fossil fuels

How have our houses changed in terms of number of people and size?

Our households are getting smaller, but our houses are getting bigge

What are some pros and cons of electric cars? How are they different than hybrid cars?

PROS -Reduces reliance on petroleum -Range of battery = 200 miles -Primarily electric with small back-up gasoline engine CONS -Myth of "zero emission" vehicle -Only as "Green" as the electric grid -Infrastructure Issues (battery charging)

What are some pros and cons of agriculture-based biofuel?

PROS 1. Renewable 2. Domestically produced 3. Lower Carbon 4. Stimulate Rural economies 5. Well proven technology (for sugar, corn) -Viable technology for cellulosic crops -Potentially all parts of the plant (Stems, leaves, roots, etc.) -5-10 years to be commercially viable CONS 1. All the problems of modern agriculture a. Fertilizers b. Pesticides c. Water quality 2. Requires a lot of land Potential to supply 10% of transportation fuel without jeopardizing food system

PES

Payment for Ecosystem Services- a voluntary transaction where the buyer pays the provider for a well-defined ecological service

How do pests develop resistance to pesticides? This is a good example to answer using the principles of Natural Selection.

Pests evolve to resistance pesticides -Those who develop a resistance are most likely to survive, and then pass it on to their offspring -Over 586 insect species are resistant to 330 pesticides -"Pesticide treadmill"

Briefly, how are fossil fuels formed?

Petroleum is a fossil fuel, made like coal -Decayed remains of animals and plants -Buried by sediments -Subjected to heat and pressure -50-350 million years to make

What are some pros and cons of the Keystone XL pipeline, what is this pipeline designed to do?

Pipeline extension proposed to connect Canadian oil sands to US production facilities Some production ceased by Obama executive order, reversed with Trump executive order CONS -Destruction of the boreal forests in Canada -Potential for an oil spill over the Ogallala Aquifer PROS -Creation of ~42k jobs (only 50 permanent)

Which animal based foods require the most food (and water)? Which take the least?

Producing eggs and chicken meat requires the least space and water Producing beef requires the most

Why are oceans important to coastal villages in developing countries and island nations?

Protecting marine areas can hamper developing countries fishing industry (97% of fishers are in developing countries) -852 million people don't have enough to eat Fisheries provide 20% of the animal protein to 2.5 billion people -50% of the protein for many island nations

What is "Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee" and what does it guarantee you?

Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee -Means better standards for ecosystem conservation, wildlife, water and soil

What are some human health consequences of pesticide use?

Ranging from short-term impacts such as headaches and nausea to chronic impacts like cancer and reproductive harm

REDD

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation- A specific type of PES -Forest loss causes at least 15% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions -Wealthy nations would pay poor nations to conserve forests to prevent/store greenhouse gas emission to offset their own carbon emissions **Example: Norway promised to pay Guyana $250 million if Guyana reduces forest loss

How do you get the Bt gene into a plant like corn or cotton?

Scientists take Bt and use enzymes to remove it from the Bt gene, which produces a protein that turns toxic in the digestive tract of caterpillars. The Bt gene is then incorporated into the chromosomes of cotton and corn, killing caterpillars that feed upon these plants

Hazard

Some agent or set of conditions that can cause an adverse effect in humans Types: Chemical, physical, and biological

Building-related illness

Some microbes induce allergic responses

How can alternative transportation be encouraged and incentivized?

Strong, visionary political leadership is needed -Growth is directed, instead of being overwhelming -Road networks are tremendously expensive Governments can encourage mass transit -Raise fuel taxes -Tax inefficient modes of transport -Reward carpoolers -Encourage bicycle use and bus ridership -Stimulate investment in renewed urban centers

Compare and contrast surface water, ground water, and aquifers

Surface Water: water accessible on the Earth's surface. Includes oceans, lakes, streams, wetlands, etc. -Lost through evaporation -Replenished through precipitation and snow melt -Small amounts of surface water recharge groundwater Groundwater: water located below the Earth's surface, in soil or rock spaces Aquifer: a geological formation containing large quantities of usable groundwater -Recharged (slowly!) by infiltration of surface water -Removed by natural springs and human withdrawal

What is DES, what were the toxicological effects of exposure, and who did it affect? How did we figure out that DES caused these effects?

Synthetic estrogen produced in 1938 Sld as a preventative supplement for pregnancies from 1940-1971 -Advertised protection against pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage In 1971, it was found that girls exposed to DES in utero were much more likely to develop cervical cancer (40x more likely in subsequent studies) -Cervical cancer is a very rare cancer, usually only seen in post-menopausal women -As a result, DES was banned from use in the US

Why is our designation of five oceans incorrect?

The Earth's "oceans" are actually just 1 large body of water

Exposure

The amount or degree to which an individual comes into contact with a hazard *in order for a hazard to cause harm, there must be exposure

How much money does the average American family throw away each year on food waste?

The average American family throws away $1,500/year

Flint Water Crisis

The emergency manager for Flint, Michigan switches from a Detroit-based water source to the Flint River -The Flint River water, which is slightly more acidic, caused corrosion of the lead-based plumbing -Corrosion of the pipes led to significant lead contamination in the drinking water of residents

How is the US air quality today compared to roughly 50 years ago?

US regulations including the Clean Air Act of 1970 and 1990 have greatly improved our air quality

What is a cyclical economy and how is it different than a traditional linear economy?

Unlike in nature, where all "waste" is actually "food" for something else and systems are cyclical, human economic and manufacturing systems are highly linear. We extract raw materials from the environment, expend enormous quantities of fossil fuel energy shipping and processing these raw materials, combine these into useful products (with as much as 95% of the original material extracted from the environment ending up as waste in the process), market and sell these products, use them and then dispose of them in a landfill. After this we start the same process all over again. This not only puts undue strain on limited landfill space, it also represents an enormous waste of useful material and energy.

Environmental health

a branch of public health focused on improving the health and well-being of people through their interactions with the natural and built environment some age

Food miles

a mile over which a food item is transported from producer to consumer, as a unit of measurement of the fuel used to do this.

Thermocline

a steep temperature gradient in a body of water such as a lake, marked by a layer above and below which the water is at different temperatures

Herbicide

a substance that is toxic to plants and is used to destroy unwanted vegetation

Pesticide

a substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or to animals

What is PES and how can it prevent deforestation? Give an example.

a voluntary transaction where the buyer pays the provider for a well-defined ecological service

Bioaccumulation

accumulation of a substance in an organism -bioaccumulative chemicals are slowly excreted -may have large molecular structure or store in fat *pesticides, mercury, lead

Clear-cutting

all trees in the area are cut •Most cost-efficient •Greatest disturbance

Zoning

an important tool in land development and use •Mandates what should be built where -Residential, Industrial, Commercial zoning -Residential typically divided into low-, medium-, and high-density •Government restrictions on private lands •Opponents say restrictions violate individual freedoms

What is the definition of Sustainable Agriculture?

describes agriculture that maintained the healthy soil, clean water, pollinators, and other resources essential to long-term crop and livestock production

Urban Planning

designing cities to maximize efficiency, functionality, and beauty

How do excess nutrients create dead zones in lakes and oceans?

erosion, runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides from tractor thing runoff containing manure

Exposure routes

ingestion- swelling an agent or consuming contaminated food/liquid inhalation- breathing in a gaseous agent or the fumes of a chemical dermal- touching a corrosive or irritating agent; absorbing an agent through the skin

no-till agriculture

is a way of growing crops or pasture from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage

What is the definition of industrial agriculture?

is currently the dominant food production system in the United States. It's characterized by large-scale monoculture, heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and meat production in CAFOs

Aphasic zone

is the portion of a lake or ocean where there is little or no sunlight. It is formally defined as the depths beyond which less than 1% of sunlight penetrates

There are two large concerns about using GMOs and the environment, one is that they can backcross with native plants, transferring these genes freely in the environment. The other is that pests will soon develop resistance to Bt and other insect killing genes.

just know this

Know that, "If 25% of food currently wasted could be saved, it could feed 870 million people" that's more than enough food for the entire human population currently without.

know

The main goals of establishing national forests are to produce timber, protect watersheds, and ensure future timber supplies. The adoption of forest management strategies has only occurred recently; clear-cutting was common in the past, and still can be seen in some of the national forests today.

know

Monoculture

large expanses of a single crop -More efficient, increases output -Devastates biodiversity -Susceptible to disease and pests

Are we in a linear or cyclic economy?

linear

General Motors, headquartered in Detroit, lobbied for what major changes in U.S. urban transportation?

lobbied for highways

Greenways/greenbelts

strips of land that preserve some nature in cities

Agroecology

study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production

Photic zone

surface layer of the ocean that receives sunlight

Know the names of the two major sustainable forest certification programs

the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programmefor the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)

Residence time

the exact amount of time they linger

Urban sprawl

the spread of low-density urban or suburban development outward from an urban center

Toxicity

the study of potentially adverse effects that occur in living organisms, usually human, due to chemical exposures -focused on exposure, dose, and response

What is a "paper park"? What are the causes of poor protected area performance?

these sites represent a failure of efforts to protect resources and ecosystems

In terms of urban planning, how are European cities different from U.S. cities?

they invest in railroads more