Chapter 1: Understanding Our Environment

Question 1

Environmental Science

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Sustainability

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Economic Sustainability

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Social Sustainability

Answer 4

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

Question 5

3 Pillars of Sustainability

Answer 5

Social, Environmental, Economic

Question 6

Population Trends

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Climate Change

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Food

Answer 8

• 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.

Question 9

Water

Answer 9

• 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.

Question 10

Energy

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Air Pollution

Answer 11

• 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.

Question 12

Biodiversity and Species Loss

Answer 12

• 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.

Question 13

Signs of Hope: Population and Pollution

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Signs of Hope: Health

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Signs of Hope: Access to Current Information

Answer 15

Expanding access to knowledge is essential to progress

Question 16

Signs of Hope: Habitat Conservation

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Signs of Hope: Renewable Energy

Answer 17

Progress is being made in the transition to renewable energy sources

Question 18

Signs of Hope: International Cooperation

Answer 18

Helps solve global environmental problems

Question 19

George Perkins Marsh

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Grifford Pinchot

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Rachel Carson

Answer 21

Biologist and writer. Started the Modern Environmental Movement.

Question 22

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

Answer 22

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