General Flashcards
What is resilience
The ability of a system to recover from a disturbance
What is a system
A set of elements that are connected and interrelated for a purpose is
What is thermal expansion
An increase in the volume of a liquid or matter in response to an increase in temperature
What is thermal inertia
A measure of the rate of change at which a material approaches the temperature of its surroundings
What is a cost benefit ratio?
Where the benefits of a project should outweigh the costs of construction and maintenance
What is meant by the term ‘values’
What one individual or group wants: what is important or meaningful to them.
What is a tipping point
A threshold that, if crossed, cause a system to change from one stat to another.
What is biochar
A form of charcoal produced by the pyrolysis of trees, agricultural waste and other plant matter.
What is pyrolysis
Treatment of materials at high temperatures in an oxygen deprived environment.
What is homeostasis
The tendency of a life form to regulate its internal conditions to maintain health and stability in response to external changes
Negative feedback
Feedback that serves to moderate change
Define the precautionary principle
That scientific uncertainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to protect the environment
Define a hazard
An event or happening that poses a threat to the environment
Define risk
The product of probability of an event with the severity of that event
What is a common resource?
A resource that a community of people enjoy but which no one owns
What are the five key options to move towards a more sustainable energy future?
Clean up fossil fuels Geo-engineering Fuel cells - hydrogen economy Reduce energy demand Harness renewables
Define modal shift
Moving away from energy intensive modes of transport to more frugal Ines such as walking or cycling
Define biological diversity and it’s three main categories?
Biodiversity within species
Between species
And of ecosystems…
What makes an environmental issue?
An environmental change that people are concerned about…
Define biodiversity
Defined as a measure of the number and variety of species in a given area
Define mitigation
A strategy that deals with an environmental problem by addressing its causes
Define adaptation
Strategies to deal with environmental problems by addressing its effects
What is an ecological footprint
Describes the environmental impacts of consumption patterns on ecosystems- often the effect that consumption in one area has on another
What is inter -generational equity
The principle of fairness between different groups of people
