Humans and the Environment

Question 1

Why is the world population rising so quickly?

Answer 1

Modern medicine and farming has reduced the number of people dying from disease and hunger.

Question 2

What does higher standard of living mean for the environment?

Answer 2

1. More raw materials used

2. More energy used to manufacture.

Question 3

How does waste affect the air?

Answer 3

Smoke and gases can pollute the air (e.g sulfur dioxide acid rain)

Question 4

How does waste affect the land?

Answer 4

1. Toxic chemicals for farming.
2. Nuclear waste buried underground
3. Household waste dumped in landfill sites

Question 5

How does waste affect the water?

Answer 5

1. Sewage and toxic chemicals from industry pollute lakes, rivers and oceans affecting wildlife.
2. Fertilisers can be washed into water

Question 6

What are the four main human activities that reduce the amount of land and resources available to other animals and plants?

Answer 6

1. Building
2. Farming
3. Dumping waste
4. Quarrying for metal ores

Question 7

Where can carbon dioxide be locked up?

Answer 7

1. Oceans, lakes and ponds
2. Green plants (carbon compounds)
3. Peat bogs

Question 8

How do gases in the atmosphere affect the Earth?

Answer 8

They trap heat radiation and heat up the Earth.

Question 9

What are the main greenhouse gases?

Answer 9

1. Carbon dioxide

2. Methane

Question 10

Why are atmospheric gases necessary?

Answer 10

Nothing would keep the heat in and it would get too cold.

Question 11

Why is deforestation done?

Answer 11

1. Timber for building
2. Wood for paper
3. Crops (food or biofuels)

Question 12

What are the four main problems of deforestation?

Answer 12

1. More methane released
2. More carbon dioxide released
3. Less carbon dioxide taken in
4. Less biodiversity

Question 13

Why does deforestation cause more methane be released?

Answer 13

1. Rice is grown in warm, watery conditions - decomposers

2. Cattle produce methane

Question 14

Why does deforestation cause more carbon dioxide to be released?

Answer 14

1. Trees are burnt

2. Dead wood is decayed

Question 15

Why does deforestation cause less carbon dioxide to be taken in?

Answer 15

Less trees are taking in carbon dioxide by photosynthesis.

Question 16

What is biodiversity?

Answer 16

The variety of different species in a habitat.

Question 17

What is lost with biodiversity?

Answer 17

1. New foods
2. New clothing fibres
3. New medicines

Question 18

What are bogs?

Answer 18

Acidic and waterlogged land.

Question 19

What is peat?

Answer 19

Partially rotted plants - not enough oxygen - that store carbon dioxide.

Question 20

Why are peat bogs drained?

Answer 20

1. Land for farmland
2. Peat for fuel
3. Peat for compost

Question 21

What is the problem with destroying peat bogs?

Answer 21

Peat decomposes and releases carbon dioxide.

Question 22

What are six consequences of global warming?

Answer 22

1. Sea level rise
2. Ice melt
3. Weather patterns
4. Organism distribution
5. Biodiversity
6. Migration patterns

Question 23

How do scientists collect environmental data?

Answer 23

1. Satellites monitor ice cover
2. Satellites monitor sea surface temperature
3. Ocean currents temperature and speed are monitored
4. Automatic weather stations record atmospheric temperatures

Question 24

What are the two factors to take into account when examining evidence?

Answer 24

1. Time

2. Area

Question 25

What is the significance of area in evidence?

Answer 25

Has to be large enough area.

Question 26

What is the significance of time in evidence?

Answer 26

Has to be a long enough timescale.