Lecture 2 Flashcards
Which of the following is not a factor in the I=PAT equation?
A) Population
B) Affluence
C) Technology
D) Biodiversity
D) Biodiversity
Explanation: Biodiversity is not a component of the I=PAT equation, which measures environmental impact based on population, affluence, and technology.
What percentage of global energy consumption comes from fossil fuels?
A) 50%
B) 85%
C) 70%
D) 90%
B) 85%
Explanation: Fossil fuels dominate global energy consumption, contributing to significant environmental impacts.
What is the primary source of freshwater for domestic use globally?
A) Surface water
B) Groundwater
C) Desalinated water
D) Rainwater
B) Groundwater
Explanation: Groundwater provides about 50% of freshwater for domestic use.
Explain how technological advances can have both positive and negative environmental impacts.
Technological advances can increase resource use efficiency, reducing environmental footprints. However, the rebound effect (or Jevons paradox) occurs when efficiency gains lead to increased consumption, offsetting environmental benefits.
Define ecological footprint and explain its significance in assessing sustainability.
Ecological footprint measures the biologically productive land and water required to support a population’s consumption and waste. It highlights the extent to which human demand exceeds Earth’s capacity to regenerate resources.
Discuss the relationship between population growth and land-use change in the context of biodiversity loss.
Population growth increases demand for food and resources, leading to deforestation, habitat destruction, and urbanization. These land-use changes fragment ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and impact ecological balance.
Analyze the potential of the “Planetary Health Diet” to address food security and environmental sustainability.
The Planetary Health Diet emphasizes plant-forward consumption, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss associated with meat production. Its adaptability can promote global food security while minimizing environmental impacts.
Case Study: Cape Town Water Crisis
What factors led to Cape Town’s water crisis?
What measures were implemented to address it?
Rapid population growth, limited infrastructure expansion, and prolonged drought contributed to Cape Town’s water crisis. Measures included water restrictions, public awareness campaigns, and plans for “Day Zero” to manage water scarcity.
Case Study: Killer Whales and PCBs
Describe the impact of PCBs on killer whale populations.
How do PCBs enter marine ecosystems?
PCBs impair reproduction, disrupt endocrine and immune systems, and increase cancer risks in killer whales. PCBs enter marine ecosystems through industrial discharge, accumulating in food chains and affecting top predators.
Which region experienced the highest deforestation rates between 1980 and 2012?
A) North America
B) Southeast Asia
C) Europe
D) Australia
B) Southeast Asia
Explanation: Southeast Asia saw significant forest losses due to agricultural expansion, especially for palm oil and soybean production.
What percentage of the global CO2 emissions is attributed to deforestation?
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 20%
D) 25%
C) 20%
Explanation: Deforestation contributes significantly to global CO2 emissions through vegetation removal and soil decomposition.
Explain how nitrogen and phosphorus runoff leads to dead zones in aquatic systems.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus fertilize algae blooms in water bodies. When algae die, bacteria decompose them, consuming oxygen and creating anoxic conditions, killing aquatic life.
How does the Living Planet Index measure biodiversity trends?
The Living Planet Index tracks population trends of species globally, using data from thousands of populations to assess biodiversity health.
Evaluate the role of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in combating global environmental change.
SDGs like responsible consumption (SDG 12) and climate action (SDG 13) provide frameworks for reducing environmental impacts through sustainable practices, technological innovation, and global cooperation.
Examine the economic and ecological implications of overexploitation of freshwater resources.
Overextraction of groundwater leads to water scarcity, affecting agriculture, industry, and domestic supply. Ecologically, it disrupts aquatic ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and exacerbates climate change impacts.
Case Study: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
What are the primary contributors to this phenomenon?
What ecological impacts does it have?
The patch results from plastic waste accumulation in ocean gyres. It harms marine life through ingestion and entanglement, disrupts ecosystems, and releases toxins.
Case Study: Tropical Forest Fragmentation
How has tropical forest fragmentation affected global biodiversity?
Provide an example of its socioeconomic impact.
Fragmentation reduces habitat size, isolating species and increasing extinction risks. Economically, it affects communities reliant on forest products.
What actions are proposed to mitigate the biodiversity crisis in the Anthropocene?
Proposed actions include stabilizing population growth, protecting biodiversity hotspots, adopting sustainable practices, and modifying human value systems to prioritize ecological health.
