Environment & Climate

Question 1

Environmental Health

Answer 1

how humans have collectively interacted with the environment leading to ST & LT consequences

Question 2

Environment

Answer 2

soil, air, water, minerals, organisms and nutrients covering the planet

Question 3

Anthropocene

Answer 3

dawn of immense human impact on earth systems since the mid-1950s

Increasing population = limited resources

Question 4

Fertility Rate

Answer 4

high in least developed countries (lack of planning resources)

Increasing Living Standards = reduced FR & IMR

Question 5

Brundtland Report (1987)

Answer 5

explains the importance of global environment to human survival

Question 6

Non-Renewable: Examples

Answer 6

oil, gas, coal, nuclear

Question 7

How much % is Canada dependent on oil?

Answer 7

41%

Question 8

Renewable: Examples

Answer 8

solar, wind, water, geothermal, biofuels

Question 9

How much % is Canada dependent on renewable energy?

Answer 9

17%

Question 10

Alternate Fuels: Example

Answer 10

ethanol

Question 11

Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming

Answer 11

warming of earth due to CO2 and other gas build-up, which increases atmospheric temperature

Question 12

Municipal Solid Waste

Answer 12

Biodegradability

Recycling

E-Waste

Question 13

Hazardous Waste

Answer 13

nuclear, biological, chemical

Question 14

Solid Waste Reduction

Answer 14

less packaging, recycled products, bottler-free, avoid plastic & EPS cups, 3 R’s, dispose e-waste properly

Question 15

Air Pollution

Answer 15

photochemical smog (ozone pollution) + ozone thinning = weakened ozone

increases cancer risk and respiratory illness

Question 16

Hydrocarbons

Answer 16

NOx + Sunlight = Ozone

Ground-level ozone is an irritant and primary component of smog

Respiratory illness (eg asthma, lung inflammation)

Question 17

Particulate Matter

Answer 17

ash, smoke, pollen, dust

Respiratory damage (asthma, bronchitis, allergies)

Question 18

Carbon Monoxide

Answer 18

colourless, odourless, and very poisonous

80 ppm can lead to 15% bodily O2 reduction and in traffic its 400 ppm

Links: headaches, impaired vision and manual dexterity, increased CVD risk, death

Question 19

Sulfur Oxides (Precursor Ozone)

Answer 19

component of acid rain and produced by engine exhaust

Question 20

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Answer 20

fridge & AC coolants, foaming agent in insulation, propellant in aerosol sprays

destroys ozone and banned in Canada

Question 21

Indoor Air Pollution

Answer 21

smoking, asbestos, lead, mercury, mould, e-waste

Question 22

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

Answer 22

indicates whether air pollution levels pose a health concern

Question 23

Sources of Water Pollution

Answer 23

water delivery systems
domestic waste
industrial waste
agricultural waste
antibiotic waste
nanoplastics
biological (giardia)

Question 24

Is most water in Canada purified at water-treatment sites? Where is clean water needed in Canada?

Answer 24

Yes, but most indigenous communities require and in summer there is massive shortages.

Question 25

How many people globally have no access to safe water?

Answer 25

2.1 billion

Question 26

How many people globally lack basic sanitation?

Answer 26

4.5 billion

Question 27

Pesticides

Answer 27

sprayed, dusted, fogged, or dumped in the environment Links: lung & bladder cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, chronic bronchitis, and CNS problems

Question 28

Asbestos

Answer 28

Links: asbestosis, mesothelioma lung cancer

Question 29

Lead

Answer 29

found in plumbing, vehicle emissions, tobacco smoke, lead pathway & crystals Links: CNS damage, mental damage, reduced O2 transport, digestive problems, coma, death

Question 30

Mercury

Answer 30

coal-fueled power plants, mining, smelting Contaminates water systems and organisms Links: CNS, heart, kidney, digestive tract problems

Question 31

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Answer 31

carcinogen linked with birth defects and immune system drug

Question 32

Trihalomethanes

Answer 32

synthetic chemical gormed when Cl in H2O reacts with natural organics Links: liver, kidney, CNS, birth defects, and cancer

Question 33

3 Types of Radiation

Answer 33

Medical Use - x-rays are cumulative (no exposure is safe but generations are reducing emission amount) Home & Workplace - radon, cellphones, microwaves, monitors, etc Nuclear Weapons & Energy

Question 34

Tinnitus

Answer 34

permanent hearing loss from prolonged exposure to sounds greater than 80-85 decibels

Question 35

Light Pollution

Answer 35

occurs when too much artificial illumination enters night sky and reflects off of airborne water droplets and dust particles Effects: disrupts sleep and melatonin production

Question 36

What can you do in response to environmental and health concerns?

Answer 36

Set an example Educate Research & Knowledge Advocate Build Networks/ Coalitions