definitions

Question 1

desertification

Answer 1

The process by which productive land is turned into a desert through practices such as overstocking cattle and deforestation

Question 2

fossil fuel

Answer 2

A natural fuel, such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms

Question 3

greenhouse effect

Answer 3

The atmospheric processes that maintain an average surface temperature of 15°C

Question 4

biodiversity

Answer 4

The variety of all life forms: plants, animals and microorganisms; the genes they contain; the ecosystems of which they form a part; and the processes that link them

Question 5

worldview

Answer 5

A perspective or point of view held by an individual based on a set of values and assumptions

Question 6

weather

Answer 6

is the atmospheric conditions of a place over a short time

Question 7

climate

Answer 7

is the average atmospheric conditions of a place over a long time

Question 8

climate change
r,t,ac

Answer 8

is the long term permanent shift in some or all parts of the average weather conditions: rainfall, temperature and atmospheric composition mainly.

Question 9

environmental change

Answer 9

any alteration to an environment that disturbs natural ecological processes they can be caused as a result of natural or human processes. = (good) clearing of land for agriculture and (bad) water pollution and soil erosion .

Question 10

rapid population growth

Answer 10

is an issue for sustainability because of the increased demands on earth’s resources, ecosystems and environments

Question 11

sustainable development

Answer 11

plans and decisions that meet the needs of the present population without affecting the future generation’s needs in the process

Question 12

sustainability

Answer 12

meeting the needs of the present population without affecting the future generation’s needs in the process

Question 13

Global warming

Answer 13

the gradual rise in temperature brought about by an increase in the heat absorbing gases present in the atmosphere.

Question 14

salinity

Answer 14

increased salt level in soil

Question 15

erosion

Answer 15

removal of fertile topsoil

Question 16

compaction and acidification

Answer 16

• removal of air pockets in the soil
• increased acid levels in soil through fertiliser use

Question 17

land degradation

Answer 17

the reduction of the productive quality of land due to human activities and other natural processes

Question 18

pollution
p,va

Answer 18

any hazardous or potentionally hazardous substance released into the environment typically man made from waste like plastic however it can be natural such as volcanic ash.