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ENVI 101 > Test 4 > Flashcards

Test 4 Flashcards

Memorize by Final Exam 12/11

1
Q

Municipal Waste

A

Combination of household and commercial waste
Has increased over time

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2
Q

What trends can we see with waste in the US?

A

Mainly comes from food, paper, and cardboard
Mainly disposed of in landfills (50%), unlike other countries who mainly incinerate and recycle

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3
Q

What trends can we see with waste worldwide between countries of different incomes?

A

High income: produces more waste and more paper
Low/middle income: produces mostly organic waste

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4
Q

What is the Waste Management Hierarchy?

A

A way of determining the most preferred ways to deal with waste (reduce, reuse, recycle, compost) and the lesser/least preferred ways (energy recovery from incineration, treatment + disposal)

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5
Q

Landfills

A

Priority is to keep things contained by compacting the trash and covering it with dirt to discourage smells, pests, wind-blown litter, etc.

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6
Q

Incinerators

A

Burning waste to minimize the space it takes up in landfills
Energy in the form of heat and steam can be harnessed

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7
Q

Recycling

A

Reprocessing discarded material into new, useful products to prevent it from ending up in a landfill
Better for the environment

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8
Q

What are some of the problems we see with plastic recycling?

A

Different kinds need to be separated because they won’t melt together
Downcycling (recycled plastic generally can’t be recycled again)
Undesirable for companies: making new plastic is cheaper + recycled plastic is less durable

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9
Q

What percent of plastic waste in the US is recycled?

A

5%

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10
Q

Wish-Cycling

A

Throwing things in the recycle (even if you don’t know if they can be recycled) and hoping for the best

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11
Q

E-Waste

A

Waste from electronics like computers, phones, TVs, and batteries
Contains a lot of toxic materials such as mercury and lead, which can contaminate soil and groundwater if left in landfills

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12
Q

What did the US previously do with its e-waste and plastics? What’s happening to it now?

A

Shipped it to China
China banned trash imports including e-waste and plastics
Now this trash burden falls onto other nations such as India and Thailand

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13
Q

Composting

A

Type of recycling that converts organic waste to soil-enriching organic fertilizer

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14
Q

Anaerobic Digesters

A

Captures methane being released by livestock manure, sewage, and other organic waste and producing energy from it

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15
Q

What are the benefits of anaerobic digesters?

A

Reduces food waste in landfills + methane that ends up in the atmosphere
Economically beneficial to farmers, grocery stores, and energy consumers

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16
Q

Hazardous Waste

A

Any discarded material (liquid or solid) that contains substances known to be fatal, toxic, carcinogenic, ignitable/explosive, corrosive, or highly reactive

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17
Q

Love Canal

A

Area that used to be an industrial waste dump for an electrical company and was later turned into a suburb
People started getting sick
They discovered that the company had been dumping hazardous waste that contaminated the soil and groundwater

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18
Q

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

A

Requires industries using hazardous chemicals to track them from “cradle to grave”
Makes them responsible for the chemicals they’re using and how they dispose of them

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19
Q

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

A

Tracks/identifies abandoned hazardous waste dumps
Comes up with plans to clean them
Compensates people for cleaning them + holds companies liable for it
EPA has access to a “superfund” to help pay for these cleanups

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20
Q

Phytoremediation

A

Type of bioremediation that uses plants to clean up toxic waste
Exs:
- Sunflowers near Chernobyl
- Bracken fern to absorb arsenic
- Genetically modified poplars (trees) that extract mercury from the soil and convert it to a less toxic form

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21
Q

What percentage of the world lives in cities?

A

56% = about 4.4 billion people
Prediction that this number with continue to grow to about 2/3

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22
Q

What is a city?

A

An urban area with more than 2,500 residents
Areas that deal with commerce, manufacturing, government, the exchange of ideas, etc.

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23
Q

What causes urban growth?

A

Natural population increases due to better sanitation, healthcare, etc.
Increased migration to cities due to both push and pull factors

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24
Q

What are some push factors that encourage people to move out of rural areas?

A

Climate change and mechanization affecting agricultural production
Fewer jobs
Social and political conflict (persecution and forced displacement)
Less affordable housing

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25
What are some pull factors that encourage people to move to cities?
More cultural activities and entertainment Public transportation = no car to pay for More job opportunities More social services Better access to food, healthcare, and affordable housing
26
What are some problems with cities and rapid urban growth?
Air pollution Inadequate wastewater treatment Water shortages Rising sea levels + more severe storms + sinking grounds = problems for coastal cities Informal settlements (aka slums) have decreased access to food, electricity, healthcare, etc.
27
Urban Sprawl
The outward extension of a city's boundaries, causing lower population density Migration to suburbia to avoid the negative effects of urban growth
28
What are some problems associated with urban sprawl?
Taking open space away from recreation and agriculture Cars are required to move around = pollution + traffic congestion Decay in central cities
29
Smart Growth
Strategies for well-planned developments that make efficient and effective use of land resources and existing infrastructure Offers the benefits of walking, social contact, natural surroundings, physical exercise, and mental respite
30
What are some examples of smart growth strategies?
Mixed-use areas More greenery/green areas for recreation, exercise, water conservation, air quality, natural beauty, open space, farmland, etc. Centralized areas for shopping and entertainment that are close to residential communities Walkable neighborhoods More public transportation
31
Conservation Development (AKA Cluster Development or Open-space Zoning)
Developers preserve at least half of an area as natural, open space Can be achieved by clustering houses closer together (giving people smaller yards) to preserve larger pieces of land Can also add trails and encourage community development
32
Economics
A social science that deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services to satisfy people's needs and wants
33
What influences economics decisions?
Supply (amount available) and Demand (amount desired), which both influence market value
34
What are the 3 main types of capital used to produce goods and services?
Natural: resources/ecosystem services that support life Human: physical/mental abilities, knowledge, and talents that people hold Built/Manufactured: infrastructure like tools, buildings, and factories
35
Neoclassical Economics
Views the earth's natural capital as a part of the human economic system Thinks that economic growth is unlimited because we can always find substitutes
36
Ecological Economics
The view that there are no substitutes for many natural resources such as clean water/air, fertile land, and biodiversity, meaning that constant economic growth in unsustainable
37
What did Constanza estimate the monetary value of natural capital to be?
At least $125 trillion per year
38
Existence Value
Type of nonuse value Valuing something simply because it exists and we like knowing that it exists
39
Aesthetic Value
Type of nonuse value Valuing something like a forest or a species for its beauty
40
Why turn natural capital into monetary values?
Assists in the creation and implementation of certain policies (by helping with the cost-benefit analysis process) "Numbers are the universal language" - helps people understand the importance of ecological services
41
What are some drawbacks to turning natural capital into monetary values?
It's difficult to come to a common consensus (it's subjective) It's hard to define clean water/air in terms of money
42
Market Pricing
The direct price, including the cost of raw materials, labor, shipping, and markups from sellers This does not include the environmental cost of waste, pollution, and land destruction
43
Full Pricing
Essentially a carbon tax in which the cost of an item reflects the impacts that it has on the environment and society This discourages people from using environmentally damaging products
44
What are some other economic tools we can use to address environmental problems?
Carbon taxes, emissions trading, environmental indicators, the environmental performance index, and green business
45
GDP
The annual market value of all goods and services produced by all firms operating within the bounds of a country within a year Often used as an indicator of economic growth and well-being
46
Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI)
GDP + beneficial transactions (volunteer work + housework) minus harmful environmental effects (pollution, crime, resource depletion)
47
Environmental Performance Index
Ranks each country based on its ecosystem services, air quality, agricultural land, etc.
48
Social Responsibility in Green Business
Companies need to be transparent with what they're doing to avoid greenwashing
49
Policies vs Politics
The laws and regulations enacted and enforced by the government VS The process by which individuals or groups influence/control the creation of policies (via the actions of all levels of gov't)
50
What is the policy lifecycle?
Begins with recognition of a problem, followed by research, policy formation, voting/approval, budgeting decisions, implementation, monitoring success, and potential policy readjustment
51
How does the media influence the policy lifecycle? What's an example?
It plays a big role in bringing problems to the public's attention, such as river fires caused by water pollution (ex: Cuyahoga River Fire in Cleveland 1969) leading to advocacy for the Clean Water Act
52
In general, how are policies made?
Starts in one chamber (either House or Senate) Gets referred to and discussed by a relevant committee Sent back to original chamber to be voted on (majority needed) Gets sent to other chamber + same committee process repeats Gets sent to president to be passed Vetoes can be overridden by 2/3 majority in the legislative branch
53
What is the Legislative Branch? What role does it play in policy making?
Made up of House of Representatives and the Senate Passes the laws
54
What is the Executive Branch? What role does it play in policy making?
Includes President, Vice President, and President's Cabinet Responsible for the enforcement of the laws through gov't agencies (which set regulations that put laws into effect)
55
Who appoints the leaders of gov't agencies such as the EPA, FDA, and USDA?
The president
56
What is the Judicial Branch? What role does it play in policy making?
Includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts Interprets the meanings of laws and determines if they're constitutional
57
Who approves the funding for government programs?
Congress and the President
58
What does the end of Chevron Deference mean for the courts?
Courts have more power while the executive branch has less Essentially said that agencies don't have the expertise to be granted deference, giving courts more power when interpreting ambiguity in laws (or requiring Congress to use more exact language)
59
What is "standing" in a legal case?
The right to take part in the legal proceedings (litigants must show that they are personally affected by the case)
60
Sierra Club v. Morton (1969)
The Sierra Club challenged the decision of the Forest Service to lease land in Sequoia National Park to Disney for a ski resort Ruled that Sierra Club didn't have standing Disney still backed out due to public attention and backlash
61
What were the arguments presented in the Held v. Montana case?
Group of teens in Montana argued that the state was violating its constitution by approving fossil fuel projects that damaged the environment The state counter-argued that climate change is a global problem and shouldn't just be their responsibility
62
In the Held v. Montana case, what constitutional right did the kids think was being violated? Why was this a big deal?
"The right to clean, healthful environments" Other states had similar language, meaning the result of this case would set a precedent
63
What was the ruling in Held v. Montana?
In favor of the plaintiffs Overruled the statement that states shouldn't consider greenhouse gas emissions when approving projects
64
How is the executive branch involved in policy making?
Executive orders can expand national parks and protected areas, as well as establish national monuments Regulatory Agencies such as the Department of the Interior (including Fish+Wildlife Service)
65
What is the history of the first Earth day?
April 22nd, 1970 Originated on a college campus with informal lectures about various types of pollution Led to demonstrations throughout the country
66
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Oversees federal agencies by requiring them to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before partaking in any development project Very detailed and time-consuming Must be made public Can be sued if they think it wasn't done properly
67
What must an EIS include?
Purpose of the project Environmental impact (both positive and negative) Alternatives
68
What is the downside to an EIS?
It's a Procedural Law, meaning it does not require the agencies to pick the least harmful option
69
What are some examples of other environmental organizations?
World Wildlife Fund The Sierra Club Audubon Society (protects birds) Natural Resources Defense Council
70
National Environmental Education Act (1990)
Called for greater environmental literacy by: - improving the understanding of environmental studies - encouraging students to pursue careers in the field
71
Environmental Literacy
Being fluent in the principles of ecology to better understand the language of environmental wisdom Aims to establish a stewardship ethic or sense of responsibility to care for the environment
72
What is a key feature of developing environmental literacy (besides education)? What are its benefits?
Being in and experiencing nature: - develops a sense of place that makes us want to care for nature - reduces stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue - improves attention span, short term memory, and creativity
73
What does Richard Louv say in his book "Last Child in the Woods"?
That a lack of contact with nature can intensify feels of anxiety, depression, and ADHD He calls this "Nature-deficit disorder"
74
What is Citizen Science? What are some examples?
Having regular citizens get interested and involved in collecting scientific data Exs: eBird to encourage birding and track migratory patterns NY iMapInvasives to track invasive species in the state
75
What are some benefits and drawbacks of citizen science programs? What are some potential solutions to the drawback?
Pros: - leads to larger collection of data - raises awareness on issues - makes people more aware of the scientific process Con: citizens may not be as knowledgeable about certain topics as scientists Solutions: short training programs and data checkers
76
Conspicuous Consumerism
Buying things we don't want or need just to impress others
77
Affluenza
The drive to possess "stuff"
78
Carbon Footprint
The amount of CO2 generated by an individual, organization, country, or other entity
79
What are the different categories calculated by the WWF's carbon footprint questionnaire?
Home, Food, Travel, and Stuff
80
What can we do as individuals to help with environmental issues?
Purchase less/mindfully, reduce excess packaging, avoid disposable items, conserve energy/water, vote in federal + local elections

ENVI 101 (5 decks)

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