3.2.3 ecological and social footprint

Question 1

product miles

Answer 1

number of miles a product travels from all stages of manufacture through to its final retail destination

Question 2

how to reduce carbon emissions

Answer 2

production and consumption of energy needs to be reduced
becoming more energy efficient: using low or no-carbon fuels and using new technologies such as carbon capture and storage

Question 3

what’s mining and what’s the disadvantage

Answer 3

extracting minerals, metals and coal from the earth. causes soil erosion, air and water pollution and a loss of biodiversity. creates open pits in landscapes, piles of waste and potential sinkholes.

Question 4

social factors

Answer 4

using materials from sustainable sources
sourcing materials that have a positive impact on farmers and workers
reducing use of unethically sourced materials which harm environment
using recycled products

Question 5

whats deforestation and it’s disadvantages

Answer 5

permanent removal of trees to use the land for alternative means like farming
loss of wild habitat, less trees photosynthesising so there’s an increase in CO2 levels. Forests and trees act as a carbon sink and produce oxygen. removing trees will increase levels of co2

Question 6

farming and its disadvantages

Answer 6

rears animals and crops for food production. some farming practices have an impact on the environment. pesticides and fertilsers are ued to improve yield and can result in pollutants in water run-off from soil, harming habitats and wildlife

Question 7

what are the six R’s

Answer 7

Rethink
refuse
reduce
reuse
repair
recycle

Question 8

why are the six R’s placed in their specific order

Answer 8

It’s better to rethink and refuse to use a product as it saves having to consider the other options after. repair involves new parts that reuse doesn’t

Question 9

safe working conditions

Answer 9

workers should be provided with safe working conditions, given training and appropriate safety equipment for their environment
Laws are also in place to ensure safe working hours, conditions, and fair wages
Not all countries provide same law

Question 10

how to reduce atmospheric pollution

Answer 10

• switching from diesel and petrol cars to electric vehicles
• reducing number of journeys made
  -improving the recycling of materials used to produce cars and trucks
  -increased use of alternative forms of energy such as solar, wind and tidal
  -using energy efficient lighting and appliances

Question 11

reducing oceanic pollution

Answer 11

-using plastic free alternatives and saying no to single use plastics eg. straws, cups, plastic bags
-urge producers to make plastic free containers and packaging
-utilise biodegradable materials and elimnate micro-beads
-reduce carbon footprint as gh gases make our oceans more acidic
-increase recycling to reduce waste dumped in ocean

Question 12

why is recycling often considered to be the last R in the 6 R’s

Answer 12

recycling is the last chance to retrieve some value from the materials used in an existing product