SCI 200--Practice Milestone Unit 4

Coal is burned to heat a home. What is this non-renewable energy source's possible human or environmental impact? Plant and animal life is harmed when a storage container leaks. Water, air and land pollution affect the surrounding area. Hydraulic fracturing leads to water pollution in the area. A child suffers respiratory problems from particulate matter.

A child suffers respiratory problems from particulate matter.

Which example is a renewable energy source? John fills the gas tank on his car twice a week. A cement manufacturer burns coal to produce electricity. Natural gas powers a home heating system. A strong breeze quickly dries laundry hanging outside.

A strong breeze quickly dries laundry hanging outside.

Select the example of a natural air pollution source. The cement factory in town has been operating continuously for 25 years. A volcano erupts and spews smoke and ash. A jet flies from Denver to Minneapolis. A truck emits diesel exhaust.

A volcano erupts and spews smoke and ash.

Of these sources of greenhouse gases, which produces the least? Industry Agriculture Energy supply Forestry

Agriculture

Select one of the following future impacts that is NOT a long-term effect of deforestation. Habitat loss for millions of species More extreme temperature swings More greenhouse gases in the atmosphere An increase in oxygen

An increase in oxygen

What is a purpose of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)? Regulate indoor air pollution at work places Set national air quality standards, among other things Study how the environment affects people in order to promote healthier lives Assess global impacts and risks of climate change

Assess global impacts and risks of climate change

Which statement about the characteristics of major greenhouse gases is true? Carbon dioxide is one of the most significant greenhouse gases. Automobile usage produces large amounts of methane. Deforestation increases carbon dioxide produced by photosynthesis. The burning of fossil fuels does not produce greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide is one of the most significant greenhouse gases.

Which outdoor air pollutant comes from using aerosols? Ozone Chlorofluorocarbons Lead Carbon monoxide

Chlorofluorocarbons

Which of the following best describes the negative impact of nuclear energy? Increased cancer risk due to exposure to benzene additives Water pollution from hydraulic fracturing Damages to plants and wildlife due to reactor leaks Decreased energy production during the night

Damages to plants and wildlife due to reactor leaks

Choose the action that is associated with harvesting natural resources sustainability. Family planning resources are made more freely available. Farmers practice erosion control. A city votes to increase mass transit options. Buffer zones are created near the coast to address sea level rise.

Farmers practice erosion control.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the federal government to do all of the following EXCEPT which option? Consider possible negative effects on the environment Forbid activities that may potentially harm the environment Inform the public about actions that may affect the environment Evaluate other options for government projects concerning the environment

Forbid activities that may potentially harm the environment

A new business in Alaska pumps 360-degree fluids from the earth into a tank held at a low pressure, which causes the fluids to immediately turn into steam that drives a generator. This is an example of using which of the following types of energy? Natural gas Geothermal Hydroelectrical Biomass

Geothermal

Julie sighed and closed her textbook. She was convinced. "Wow, global warming really is real," she said to her roommate. "What?" yawned Elena. "Nah, I don't think so. Doomsayers are always going on about that." Julie opened the textbook again. "Look at this photograph of glaciers. Look at how much has melted in just the last 50 years." Elena glanced at the photo without much interest. "Glaciers are like miles and miles of ice. Not enough of them is going to melt to make a difference." Choose the best response to Elena's assertion from the options below. Sea levels have always been on the rise. Sea levels fluctuate for many years. Glaciers melt and re-form without affecting sea levels. Glacial melt and rising sea levels are directly linked.

Glacial melt and rising sea levels are directly linked.

Which statement below about the Clean Air Act is true? The Clean Air Act set performance standards for stationary, mobile and natural sources of air pollution. Greenhouse gases were determined to be air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. It is suggested by the Clean Air Act that the Environmental Protection Agency lists dangerous pollutants. Automobile manufacturers were required to reduce emissions by 75% under the Clean Air Act.

Greenhouse gases were determined to be air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

Which of the following statements about connections between human activities and environmental damage is NOT true? Farming fragments natural habitats and can lead to endangered species. Urban sprawl increases solid waste produced, which can lead to water pollution. Burning coal produces air pollution that contributes to climate change. Human population growth has created more non-renewable energy sources.

Human population growth has created more non-renewable energy sources.

The United States' approach to energy supply and demand is to do which of the following? Increase supply and make efforts toward better efficiency Decrease supply and offer tax credits for businesses to become more energy efficient Maintain a steady supply and subsidize renewable forms of energy Keep a supply in reserve and tax the oil companies

Increase supply and make efforts toward better efficiency

Select the statement that is NOT true about the U.N. framework for the Kyoto Protocol. It discourages free trade until policies are in place. It states that richer and more developed countries should lead the way in cutting emissions. It states not to wait for scientific proof before taking action. It keeps costs in mind and finds solutions that are practical and affordable.

It discourages free trade until policies are in place.

Although there is no single solution to environmental issues, governments, businesses and individuals can all adopt environmentally friendly policies. Which of the following is the least effective action that individuals and families can take to protect the environment? Gain environmental literacy Offer incentives to buy green appliances Limit family size Purchase green cleaning products

Offer incentives to buy green appliances

Which of the following statements describes an involuntary environmental risk? Individuals reduce this risk by changing their behavior. The willingness to accept this type of risk depends on the benefits it offers. People are more concerned about this type of risk. Governments cannot regulate this type of risk.

People are more concerned about this type of risk.

Which of the following defines "particulate matter"? A mixture of automobile exhaust, moisture and sunlight A condition in the atmosphere that absorbs radiation and traps heat Smoke, dirt and dust from factories A form of precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids

Smoke, dirt and dust from factories

Which of the following is a characteristic of non-renewable energy sources? Produces little or no waste Supplies on Earth are limited Provides 10% of energy in the U.S. Can be replenished in a short time

Supplies on Earth are limited

Select the statement below that describes environmental sustainability and its goals. Sustainability aims to conserve natural resources, reverse the impacts of pollution and protect endangered species for future generations. Sustainability is a movement that concentrates on the creation of renewable energy sources to replace non-renewable energy resources as they are depleted. Sustainability creates and maintains conditions under which humans and the environment can productively co-exist for present and future generations. Sustainability primarily focuses on containing human population growth so that the environment can continue to support all the people on Earth today and in the future.

Sustainability creates and maintains conditions under which humans and the environment can productively co-exist for present and future generations.

Joe is explaining the causes of climate change to his son and provides this sequence of events: 1. Solar radiation from the sun is directed at Earth. 2. Some radiation is reflected back from the Earth's surface. 3. Some of this radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases. 4. ______________________________________________ 5. The atmosphere gets warmer. Which statement belongs in Step 4? Methane and carbon dioxide attracts the radiation. Cloud cover and atmospheric moisture dilute the radiation. The radiation is often absorbed into the atmosphere. No radiation escapes into space.

The radiation is often absorbed into the atmosphere.

Climate change has many impacts. What is an impact of melting ice caps and glaciers? Rainfall patterns are altered in an agricultural community. Deer give birth before food is plentiful in the forest. Changes in temperature bring new agricultural pests. Water supply is threatened in a mountain valley.

Water supply is threatened in a mountain valley.