Chalter 1 Vocabulary Flashcards
Stewardship
An attitude of active care and concern for natural lands; the ethical and moral framework that informs our public and private actions; ex.- recycling, not littering, composting
Sustainability
Property whereby a process can be continued indefinitely without depleting the energy or material resources on which it depends; the practical goal toward which our interactions with the natural world should be working; ex.- solar power, wind turbines
Ecosystem capital
This is the sum of goods and services provided by natural and managed ecosystems, provided free of charge and essential to human life and well-being
Globalization
This refers to the accelerating interconnectedness of human activities, ideas, and cultures, especially evident in economic and information exchange; Kyoto Project
Sustainable yields
The taking of a biological resource that does not exceed the capacity of the resource to reproduce and replace itself; ex.- crabbing without depleting crabs
Sustainable development
Development that provides people with a better life without sacrificing or depleting resources or causing environmental impacts that will undercut the ability of future generations to meet their needs; reforestation, using recycled materials
Ecologists
Scientists who study ecology (the study of any and all aspects of how organisms interact with each other and with their environment)
Environmental racism
placement of low-income or minority communities in proximity of environmentally hazardous or degraded environments, such as toxic waste, pollution and urban decay; ex.- American Indians
Sound science
Originally, the results of scientific work based on peer-review research; however, the term has come to mean “science” that supports a particular viewpoint, and has clear political overtones
Junk science
Information presented as valid science, but unsupported by peer-reviewed research; often, politically motivated and biased results are selected to promote a particular point of view
Biodiversity
The diversity of living things found in the natural world; usually refers to the different species, but also includes ecosystems and the genetic diversity within a given species; ex.- rainforest, coral reef
Habitat alteration
Large areas of land and water are damaged by activ- ities such as urbanization, agriculture, and overfishing; cutting down trees, bottom trolling
Global warming
an increase in the earth’s average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect; caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants; ex.- burning fossil fuels, pollution
