Topic 2: Understanding Environmental Science And Sustainability Flashcards
What is environmental science?
The systematic study of our environment and humans’ place within it. It is an interdisciplinary field.
What are the main goals of environmental science?
- Identify problems.
- Find practical ways to repair problems.
- Prevent other problems from occurring.
What are the 4 main areas of multidisciplinary study in environmental science?
- Environmental.
- Social.
- Economical.
- Political.
What are some different aspects of environments?
- Physical.
- Biological.
- Chemical.
- Economical.
- Social.
- Political.
- Cultural.
That is the term for human-centric?
Anthropocentric.
What is the term for ascribing value to human and non-human life?
Biocentrism.
What is the term for ascribing value to the well-being of entire ecosystems?
Ecocentrism.
What are 8 traditional parameters for measuring the environment?
- Soils.
- Water.
- Air.
- Biota.
- Population.
- Buildings.
- Land use.
- Descriptive lists.
What is the term for thinking that disaster is imminent and there is no possible solution?
Malthusian thinking.
What are the 7 major themes in environmental science?
- Population growth.
- Climate change.
- Water supplies.
- Food supplies.
- Energy.
- Air pollution.
- Biodiversity loss.
How many people are expected to live on Earth by 2050?
8-10 billion.
What is the predicted change in global mean temperature?
Between 1.5-6 degrees Celcius.
What is the term for the coexistence of obesity and undernourishment?
The double burden of malnutrition.
What percentage of Australia’s energy is from fossil fuels?
80-84%.
How many people are estimated to die each year from diseases triggered by air pollution?
At least 3 million.
How many plant and animal species are estimated to be threatened by extinction?
1 million.
What are 3 types of biodiversity?
- Genetic diversity.
- Species richness (within an ecosystem).
- Ecosystem diversity (ecosystems in an area).
What are the threats to endangered species?
H - Habitat destruction
I - Invasive species
P - Population growth
P - Pollution
C - Climate change
O - Overpopulation
What is the maximum number of organisms (of one species) that an area can sustain?
Its Carrying Capacity (K).
What is an environmental scientist?
A generalist who uses science-related knowledge relevant to environmental quality.
What is an environmentalist?
Any person who believes that the condition and nature of the environment are always important factors in any decision relating to the use or management of land, water, and resources.
What are the 3 main categories of environmental issues?
- Causes and consequences of rapidly increasing human population.
- The use and depletion of natural resources.
- Damage caused by pollution and disturbances, including endangerment of biodiversity.
What 2 human population factors are important environmental impact considerations?
The number of people in a population.
As well as the per-capita (per person) impact.
What is equity?
The state of something being just and fair according to the specific circumstances.
What is sustainable development?
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What is GDP?
Gross Domestic Product.
The monetary value of all goods and services produced by a country within a specific time.
What is GNH?
Gross National Happiness.
What is an ecological footprint used for?
To indicate the amount of resources used by individuals and the quantity of nature required to sustain that lifestyle if it was adopted by every human on earth.
What is materialism?
Estimating our worth by our possessions.
Consumption is how success is measured in capitalist economies.
What is planned obsolescence?
Deliberately ensuring goods don’t last forever to perpetuate consumption.
What is a resource?
Something that can be used, usually to fulfil human needs.
What is the Tragedy of the Commons?
- Everyone has access to common resource. It is below carrying capacity and sustainable.
- One or more users increase use of commons beyond carrying capacity, degrading the commons.
- The cost of degradation is incurred by all users.
- Unless the costs are accounted for and addressed, eventually the commons will be unable to support the usage.
What are 4 reasons people have for caring about managing the environment?
- Utilitarianism/pragmatic resource conservation.
- Ethical and aesthetic nature preservation.
- Concerns about human health and ecological damage.
- Global environmental citizenship.
What are some ways of altering attitudes towards environmental issues?
- Deal with other issues first (inc. food and water insecurity) - leaving room to care about the environment.
- Avoid cognitive dissonance by aligning attitudes and behaviours.
- Awareness of attitudes and how they are influenced by our experiences and society.
- Being directly impacted by the issue is more likely to cause attitude change.
What is environmental justice?
Recognising the rights of people alongside protecting the environment.
What is environmental racism?
Lower economic and more discriminated communities are more likely to be exposed to pollution, hazardous waste, and other environmental risks.
What is toxic colonialism?
The practice of targeting developing countries for waste disposal.
What is the theory that describes a person’s behaviour as dependent on their attitudes and the subjective norms?
The Theory of Reasoned Action
