Exam 4 Review

As we go farther into the future, what types of events are the only ones we can predict with certainty?

5 billion years from now, the sun will have grown 200 times its current size and envelop our solar system including earth.

What is the Pacific Garbage Patch?

A potential coverage of 40% of the ocean in garbage and waste provided by humans.

How would you describe the last 150,000 years in terms of climate?

A roller coaster.

The slides suggest that what type of revolution might mark the next Big History Threshold Event?

A sustainability revolution.

How do population and life expectancy impact the consumption of resources?

As the world becomes more advanced, the life expectancy goes up and if that and more babies keep being born, there are going to be more people than supplies.

What is The Sixth Extinction?

Because of all of the species of animals rapidly going extinct, this time period is the setting of the 6th mass extinction of creatures in the world.

How did the ozone hole form, and why is it dangerous?

By CFC's being released into the environment and it is dangerous because that layer protects people from the dangerous sun and its unguarded strength.

What are "end of the pipe" solutions? What's the alternative approach?

Collecting the harmful gases before they escape into the environment rather than not using as many harmful gases in the first place.

If you are optimistic about the future of our relationship with the planet you are probably relying on what factor to bring about change?

Collective Learning.

Which are the two most important resources for our continued survival?

Conserving water and oil and restoring the environment.

What characteristics did Jared Diamond identify among all failed civilizations?

Deforestation, hostile neighbors, climate variability, flawed economic systems, and shifting trade markets.

What is the definition of sustainable development?

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

What is Jeremy Rifkin's definition of The Third Revolution? What are his 5 Pillars of Sustainability?

Economic, Social, Environmental, Cultural and Security Aspects.

In what ways is Big History a personal concept?

Everyone has their own big history are we are all a part of the overall big history that is everything that has happened over time.

How does the greenhouse effect work?

Gases released into the atmosphere act as a blanket over the earth and are heating up the earth when the heat gets trapped inside.

What type of future have authors envisioned for humanity?

Green cities and people getting together to find solutions.

What is the #1 cause for the loss of biodiversity? Why is this loss bad news for humans?

Human destruction, we need other species to live the way we do because we rely on them for certain foods and resources.

What is the IPCC? What is it telling us?

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tells us which countries are harming the environment the most and china and the united states are the two highest on the list.

What are some of the characteristics of and benefits of "smart cities"?

It blends work, recreation, and family; leaving less of a need for cars thus helping the air quality.

How does Big History help us to anticipate future events?

It drives us to notice when things that have previously happened are happening and to make a change to solve recurring problems.

Why is it difficult to predict future climates? Why is it important to listen to the information our climate models are generating?

It is hard to be sure how the entire world will be affected by the changing of a climate, we need to make the changes necessary to save the world we see going down hill.

What are some of the ways that global warming is making itself felt? How are these changes dangerous to humans?

It is warming up the planet more and more, it is predicted to raise the sea level 1 to 2 feet.

What are the most common air pollutants?

Lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide.

What's the difference between the natural and anthropogenic (human caused) greenhouse effect?

Much more heat is trapped by human caused greenhouse gases unlike the natural gases that don't cause a problem.

Is the realization that we are altering the environment something new?

No, people have been aware as early as 1896.

What is the message of Carl Sagan's essay The Pale Blue Dot?

Our world is all we have and if we don't focus on taking care of it, everything else is pointless.

Can you explain the concept of Spaceship Earth?

People finally got the idea through their minds that there is only one and we have to take care of it and protect our world.

What trends do we see in global and regional populations today?

People with more access to resources and information, women are using birth control and not having as many babies unlike places in the world where people are not changing anything.

What are the major sources of air pollution?

Power Plants, Sewage Treatments, cars, livestock.

What are the parts of the Triple Bottom Line?

Profit, planet, people.

Describe some of the "operating principles" for sustainable development.

Recycle and use recycled materials, restore natural systems, and use clean, renewable energy.

What is the difference between a renewable and nonrenewable resource?

Renewable can be new and used again and again while nonrenewable can only be used once and then is just waste.

Based on the slides and the lecture/videos, what sustainable solutions exist at the present time?

Rewards, mental health, goal setting, and home energy.

Looking to the future, what impacts can we expect from climate change?

Sea levels rise, more extreme storms, extinction of certain animals.

What is the definition of the Anthropocene? When did it start?

The age of humans, 15,000 years ago.

What was the book Silent Spring about? What impact did it have?

The book silent spring was about the impact of pesticides on raptors like eagles and falcons and it started an environmental movement.

What does the concept of the "human footprint" tell us?

The collective demands we place upon the planet, in comparison to what the planet can produce.

What and when were the Little Ice Age?

The earth was cool during the summers and bitter cold during the winters, 1350.

What was the message of the book The Population Bomb?

The mass amount of people living in single places is becoming a problem and a fight for food and power and the number of people is just growing.

What are some of the threats posed by pesticide use? Why are many pesticides so dangerous?

The pesticides are harming good bugs also and can harm humans as well as cancers develop because of the harmful parts of pesticides.

What was the significance of the Clean Water & Air Acts?

They created standards for water and the air and ultimately saved both because of the ways that everything has changed for the better since.

What is the consequence of using natural resources?

Waste.

Identify the two places pollution accumulate, and the two general types of pollution.

Water and air, point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution.

What types of things are envisioned by those who attempt to predict the events of the upcoming century?

We will continue to advance for the next few decades and the earth will continue to be run by humans.

What were some of the events and reasons that the environmental movement gained momentum in the late 1960s and early 1970s?

When a river burst into flames and caught the attention of the public.

How will the Big History of our planet and universe end?

When earth is destroyed, our 10 million year big history will come to an end.

How do dead zones form in lakes, rivers or seas?

When enough chemical and other hazardous waste is dumped into a body of water it is damaged and declared dead until the harmful products are removed.

What causes acid rain? Why is the Eastern seaboard especially hard hit? What are its impacts?

When harmful pollutants are released into the air, it makes water acidic and kills trees and takes mineral and nutrients from soil and wildlife.

What are the renewable energy sources? Why aren't fossil fuels renewable?

Wind and sun, because fossil fuels are burned and go away after use.

What can we learn from the story of the passenger pigeon?

Without standards and a care about things other than ourselves, we will destroy the entire world. We couldn't manage to not hunt and kill off an entire species of birds who seemed endless in numbers at one point.

Can we achieve progress AND sustainability?

Yes! Progress is finding new ways to more efficiently do things and helping the environment is the perfect opportunity for progress.

What are some of the global goals for sustainable development?

no poverty, zero hunger, quality education, gender equality.

How does the "Malthusian trap" relate to the present state of humanity?

states that although humanity invents better ways of feeding itself, increases in population and/or consumption use up all of the extra resources, leaving everyone in exactly the same place as before we think we are doing better but we aren't.