Chapter 1: Understanding Our Environment Flashcards

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1
Q

Environmental Science

A

the systematic, scientific sudy of our environment as well as our proper role in it.

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2
Q

Sustainability

A

the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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3
Q

Economic Sustainability

A

the ability of an economy to support a defined level of economic production indefinitely.

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4
Q

Social Sustainability

A

the ability of a social system, such as a country, to function at a defined level of social well being indefinitely.

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5
Q

3 Pillars of Sustainability

A

Social, Environmental, Economic

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6
Q

Population Trends

A
  • > 7 billion people in world today
  • pop. cont. to rise globally
  • growth rate has decreased
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7
Q

Climate Change

A
  • CO2 concentration up 35% over 200 yrs.
  • Sea ice is disappearing and permafrost is melting.
  • Sea levels are rising.
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8
Q

Food

A
  • 2/3 agri. land shows sign of degradation.
  • Poor farmers can’t afford expensive farming tech.
  • 925 mill. ppl. malnourished and 60 mill. face acute shortages due to naural disasters.
  • Food is NOT distributed equitably.
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9
Q

Water

A
  • 1.1 bill. lack safe drinking water

- Polluted water and poor sanitation contribute to 1.2 bill. illnesses and deaths of 15 mill children annually.

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10
Q

Energy

A
  • Fossil fuels provide 80% of energy used in the indutrialized countries.
  • Cleaner, renewable energy sources w/ conservation efforts are needed.
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11
Q

Air Pollution

A
  • 2 bill. metric tons of air pollutants are emitted each year.
  • Southern Asia noted a 3-km(2 mile) thick toxic haze of ash, acids, aerosols, dust.
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12
Q

Biodiversity and Species Loss

A
  • Over last 100 years – over 800 species have disappeared and at least 10,000 species are threatened
  • Half of all forests existing before introduction of agri. have been cleared.
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13
Q

Signs of Hope: Population and Pollution

A

Cities are more livable today than a century ago due to human birth rate stabilization and clean tech use

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14
Q

Signs of Hope: Health

A

Incidence of life-threatening diseases has been reduces in many countries

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15
Q

Signs of Hope: Access to Current Information

A

Expanding access to knowledge is essential to progress

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16
Q

Signs of Hope: Habitat Conservation

A

Tropical forest destruction has slowed and habitat protection has improved in some areas

17
Q

Signs of Hope: Renewable Energy

A

Progress is being made in the transition to renewable energy sources

18
Q

Signs of Hope: International Cooperation

A

Helps solve global environmental problems

19
Q

George Perkins Marsh

A

Responsible for the national forest, park, and wildlife refuge systems

20
Q

Grifford Pinchot

A

Considered the father of American conservation because of his concern for the protection of American forests.

21
Q

Rachel Carson

A

Biologist and writer. Started the Modern Environmental Movement.

22
Q

How can we improve human welfare within the limits of the earth’s natural resources?

A

Sustainable Developement- meeting the needs of the present w/o compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.