Approaches to Environmental Management

Question 1

Which two materials make up ground level air pollution in cities

Answer 1

PM2.5 fine particulate matter and ground level ozone

Question 2

What makes ground level ozone a secondary pollutant

Answer 2

It forms as a result of chemical reaction between other primary pollutants

Question 3

What precursors create ground level ozone

Answer 3

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from vehicles and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) used on solvents and paints

Question 4

What conditions make the conventional environmental management approach appropriate

Answer 4

Low scientific uncertainty about the situation

Question 5

What are the 4 steps of the conventional approach

Answer 5

1. Set a target
2. Assess human activities
3. Determine required actions
4. Set and enforce regulations
5. Monitor progress

Question 6

Great Bear Rainforest

Answer 6

Rainforest along the coast of BC
Management is difficult because of competing stakeholder interests and high scientific uncertainty about ecosystem’s response to human activity

Question 7

When is the adaptive management approach appropriate

Answer 7

High scientific uncertainty; experimental learning acceptable

Question 8

Steps of adaptive approach

Answer 8

1. Assess problem
2. Design a plan that maximized results and learning
3. Implement plan
4. Monitor results
5. Evaluate results
6. Adapt plan
7. Repeat

Question 9

Ecosystem based management

Answer 9

Holistic approach to manage natural resources and human activity - combines scientific and traditional, local knowledge

Question 10

When is the precautionary approach appropriate

Answer 10

When human activity may lead to morally unacceptable harm that is plausible but uncertain

Question 11

What caused the hold in the ozone layer in the 1980s

Answer 11

Chlorofluorocarbons - synthetic compounds developed after WWII