EVST Exam 1

Question 1

Anthropocene

Answer 1

coined in 1980s, popularized in 2000; the idea that our species (homo-sapiens) have made irreversible impacts on Earth (systems, environment, processes, and biodiversity)

Question 2

9 planetary boundaries

Answer 2

climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, ocean acidification, biosphere integrity (genetic and functional diversity), novel entities, atmospheric aerosol loading, biochemical flows (phosphorus and nitrogen), freshwater use, and land-system change

Question 3

Lester Brown - On the Edge

Answer 3

climate change, overshooting our sustainability, CO2 emissions, unaccounted external costs, collapse of ancient civilizations, famine, “failing states”

Question 4

Why did the ancient empires, Sumerians and Mayans collapse?

Answer 4

spread of hunger/famine, depletion of natural resources, governments losing credibility

Question 5

Lester Brown - On the Edge, Plan B (4 components)

Answer 5

massive cut in global carbon emissions (80% by 2020), stabilization of world population, eradication of poverty (no moer than 8 million by 2040), restoration of forests, soils, aquifers, and fisheries

Question 6

Lester Brown - On the Edge, Social problems?

Answer 6

education (teaching women about pregnancy, family planning, reading/writing, rights, etc.), economics (consumerism, unemployment, increase in hunger), communication issues, belief systems (distrust in govt.), failing states, etc.

Question 7

Inverted quarantine

Answer 7

isolation of oneself to protect from disease-inducing surroundings like polluted water, polluted air, and contaminated foods

Question 8

Why has inverted quarantine shifted from an elite practice to a mass phenomenon?

Answer 8

Buying yourself to safety in the past was costly so not everybody back then could afford to do so. Today, things have become more affordable (ex. suburban homes) and people earn better income than before.

Question 9

What is the biggest disadvantage to solving environmental problems when it comes to inverted quarantine?

Answer 9

Individualism increases and collectivism decreases. It affects our ability to work together to come up with solutions.

Question 10

What are 2 trends Szasz thinks will occur if we do nothing about inverted quarantine?