Chapter 3

Question 1

Anthropocene

Answer 1

Anthropocene describes a new era comprising recent centuries where human behaviour has had an increased impact on the Earth’s atmos- phere seen as so significant as to constitute a new geological epoch.

Question 2

Biophysical or natural environment

Answer 2

Biophysical or natural environment refers to the surroundings of an organism, and includes the factors that have an influence on its survival, development, and evolution.

Question 3

Climate change

Answer 3

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time. General scientific consensus is that current cli- mate change, and in particular the greenhouse effect, is caused by human activities.

Question 4

greenhouse effect

Answer 4

The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by the atmosphere and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface, it results in an elevation of the average surface temperature.

Question 5

Joint Implementation

Answer 5

Joint Implementation: industrialized states share the credit for emission reductions achieved in specific joint projects.

Question 6

Emissions trading

Answer 6

Emissions trading refers to exchanging part of national emissions allowances, allowing developed countries to trade their excess allotted emissions allowances, and allowing other countries to consider the purchased allowances in achieving their respective commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

Question 7

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

Answer 7

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): emission credits for financing approved climate-friendly projects in developing countries.
–> CDM is attractive for MNCs that were already active in these countries through foreign direct investment (FDI).

Question 8

The tragedy of the commons

Answer 8

The tragedy of the commons is defined as free access to and unrestricted demand for a finite resource that ultimately depletes it. The benefits of exploitation accrue to individuals, while the costs of the exploitation are borne by all those to whom the resource is available. This, in turn, causes demand for the resource to increase.

Question 9

Anthropocentrism

Answer 9

Anthropocentrism is the position that humans are more important or morally superior to most other species or the assessment of reality through an exclusively human perspective.

Question 10

ecocentrism

Question 11

ecological justice

Question 12

environmental certification

Question 13

Limits to Growth

Question 14

net positive impact

Question 15

pollution