Topic 2: Understanding Environmental Science And Sustainability

Question 1

What is environmental science?

Answer 1

The systematic study of our environment and humans’ place within it. It is an interdisciplinary field.

Question 2

What are the main goals of environmental science?

Answer 2

• Identify problems.
• Find practical ways to repair problems.
• Prevent other problems from occurring.

Question 3

What are the 4 main areas of multidisciplinary study in environmental science?

Answer 3

1. Environmental.
2. Social.
3. Economical.
4. Political.

Question 4

What are some different aspects of environments?

Answer 4

1. Physical.
2. Biological.
3. Chemical.
4. Economical.
5. Social.
6. Political.
7. Cultural.

Question 5

That is the term for human-centric?

Answer 5

Anthropocentric.

Question 6

What is the term for ascribing value to human and non-human life?

Answer 6

Biocentrism.

Question 7

What is the term for ascribing value to the well-being of entire ecosystems?

Answer 7

Ecocentrism.

Question 8

What are 8 traditional parameters for measuring the environment?

Answer 8

1. Soils.
2. Water.
3. Air.
4. Biota.
5. Population.
6. Buildings.
7. Land use.
8. Descriptive lists.

Question 9

What is the term for thinking that disaster is imminent and there is no possible solution?

Answer 9

Malthusian thinking.

Question 10

What are the 7 major themes in environmental science?

Answer 10

1. Population growth.
2. Climate change.
3. Water supplies.
4. Food supplies.
5. Energy.
6. Air pollution.
7. Biodiversity loss.

Question 11

How many people are expected to live on Earth by 2050?

Answer 11

8-10 billion.

Question 12

What is the predicted change in global mean temperature?

Answer 12

Between 1.5-6 degrees Celcius.

Question 13

What is the term for the coexistence of obesity and undernourishment?

Answer 13

The double burden of malnutrition.

Question 14

What percentage of Australia’s energy is from fossil fuels?

Answer 14

80-84%.

Question 15

How many people are estimated to die each year from diseases triggered by air pollution?

Answer 15

At least 3 million.

Question 16

How many plant and animal species are estimated to be threatened by extinction?

Answer 16

1 million.

Question 17

What are 3 types of biodiversity?

Answer 17

1. Genetic diversity.
2. Species richness (within an ecosystem).
3. Ecosystem diversity (ecosystems in an area).

Question 18

What are the threats to endangered species?

Answer 18

H - Habitat destruction
I - Invasive species
P - Population growth
P - Pollution
C - Climate change
O - Overpopulation

Question 19

What is the maximum number of organisms (of one species) that an area can sustain?

Answer 19

Its Carrying Capacity (K).

Question 20

What is an environmental scientist?

Answer 20

A generalist who uses science-related knowledge relevant to environmental quality.

Question 21

What is an environmentalist?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What are the 3 main categories of environmental issues?

Answer 22

1. Causes and consequences of rapidly increasing human population.
2. The use and depletion of natural resources.
3. Damage caused by pollution and disturbances, including endangerment of biodiversity.

Question 23

What 2 human population factors are important environmental impact considerations?

Answer 23

The number of people in a population.
As well as the per-capita (per person) impact.

Question 24

What is equity?

Answer 24

The state of something being just and fair according to the specific circumstances.

Question 25

What is sustainable development?

Answer 25

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 26

What is GDP?

Answer 26

Gross Domestic Product. The monetary value of all goods and services produced by a country within a specific time.

Question 27

What is GNH?

Answer 27

Gross National Happiness.

Question 28

What is an ecological footprint used for?

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

What is materialism?

Answer 29

Estimating our worth by our possessions. Consumption is how success is measured in capitalist economies.

Question 30

What is planned obsolescence?

Answer 30

Deliberately ensuring goods don't last forever to perpetuate consumption.

Question 31

What is a resource?

Answer 31

Something that can be used, usually to fulfil human needs.

Question 32

What is the Tragedy of the Commons?

Answer 32

1. Everyone has access to common resource. It is below carrying capacity and sustainable. 2. One or more users increase use of commons beyond carrying capacity, degrading the commons. 3. The cost of degradation is incurred by all users. 4. Unless the costs are accounted for and addressed, eventually the commons will be unable to support the usage.

Question 33

What are 4 reasons people have for caring about managing the environment?

Answer 33

1. Utilitarianism/pragmatic resource conservation. 2. Ethical and aesthetic nature preservation. 3. Concerns about human health and ecological damage. 4. Global environmental citizenship.

Question 34

What are some ways of altering attitudes towards environmental issues?

Answer 34

1. Deal with other issues first *(inc. food and water insecurity)* - leaving room to care about the environment. 2. Avoid cognitive dissonance by aligning attitudes and behaviours. 3. Awareness of attitudes and how they are influenced by our experiences and society. 4. Being directly impacted by the issue is more likely to cause attitude change.

Question 35

What is environmental justice?

Answer 35

Recognising the rights of people alongside protecting the environment.

Question 36

What is environmental racism?

Answer 36

Lower economic and more discriminated communities are more likely to be exposed to pollution, hazardous waste, and other environmental risks.

Question 37

What is toxic colonialism?

Answer 37

The practice of targeting developing countries for waste disposal.

Question 38

What is the theory that describes a person's behaviour as dependent on their attitudes and the subjective norms?

Answer 38

The Theory of Reasoned Action