Question 1

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service?

Accepted Answer

Protection of watersheds and flood control is an example of an ecosystem service as it is a benefit provided by a natural ecosystem, in this case, a healthy watershed ecosystem. The ecosystem provides the service of reducing the likelihood of floods and maintaining water availability, which is essential to human well-being. Car sharing programs, multi-cropping practices in agriculture, and stabilizing human population growth are not examples of ecosystem services.

Question 2

Which of the following is key to the elimination of world poverty and stabilizing global population?

Accepted Answer

Educating women and children has been shown to be a key factor in reducing poverty and stabilizing population growth. Educated women are more likely to delay marriage, have fewer children, and have better job prospects, all of which contribute to reducing poverty and population growth. This can also have a positive ripple effect through generations, as educated women are more likely to invest in their children's education and overall well-being. Globalization and increased consumption are not necessarily sustainable solutions and may exacerbate inequality, while work programs for men alone do not address the root causes of poverty and population growth.

Question 3

What is a serious shortcoming of the Western worldview to attaining environmental sustainability?

Accepted Answer

The Western worldview promotes a capitalist ideology that values economic growth and unlimited consumption, which leads to the overuse and exploitation of natural resources, ultimately hindering the attainment of environmental sustainability.

Question 4

Why is the deep ecology worldview impractical?

Accepted Answer

The deep ecology worldview promotes the idea of giving equal rights to non-human beings and nature. This means that human population size would need to drastically decrease for this to be achievable. Therefore, the deep ecology worldview is impractical in its current form.

Question 5

What is carrying capacity?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population that can be sustained by a given environment without causing significant damage to the ecosystem or depleting essential resources. It takes into consideration factors such as available food, water, shelter, and other resources necessary for survival. Answer A is incorrect because it suggests that sustained development projects can support unlimited population growth, which is not the case. Answer C is incorrect because it refers to the average number of organisms, which does not necessarily reflect the maximum number that can be supported. Answer D is incorrect because it does not relate to carrying capacity at all.

Question 6

All of the following statements regarding the need for environmental justice and the challenges in accomplishing its goals are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Research evidence actually suggests that minority communities often face challenges in getting cooperation from government agencies, which can impact their ability to achieve environmental justice goals. Options A, B, and D are all true statements about the need for environmental justice and the challenges in achieving it.

Question 7

Which of the following actions DOES NOT reflect environmental justice?

Accepted Answer

All of the listed actions reflect environmental justice, as they all involve addressing the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits among different groups of people. Promoting efforts to clean up hazardous sites on Native American reservations and helping less-developed countries cope with climate change are both examples of actions aimed at redressing historic and ongoing environmental injustices. Funding studies to study how environmental pollutants might interact with socioeconomic factors to cause health problems is important for understanding and addressing environmental health disparities that often result from environmental injustice.

Question 8

Environmental justice is BEST reflected in:

Accepted Answer

Environmental justice is concerned with ensuring that all people have equal access to clean and healthy environments, regardless of their income or race. The fact that landfills, incinerators, and sewage treatment plants are disproportionately located in low-income communities illustrates how unjust distribution of these facilities can negatively impact those who are already facing economic challenges. Therefore, option A best reflects the principles of environmental justice.

Question 9

Recommendations for achieving sustainable living include:

Accepted Answer

All of these recommendations are important for achieving sustainable living. Eliminating poverty is important for ensuring that all people have access to basic resources and can live a dignified life. Designing sustainable cities is important for reducing resource consumption and minimizing the environmental impact of urban development. Providing adequate food for all people is important for ensuring food security and reducing food waste. Taken together, these recommendations can help us to create a more sustainable and equitable future.

Question 10

What rights does environmental justice seek to provide?

Accepted Answer

Environmental justice seeks to provide adequate protection from environmental hazards for all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This includes access to clean air and water, safe living conditions, and the ability to participate in decision-making processes related to environmental issues that may affect their health and well-being. The other options, B, C, and D, do not accurately describe the rights sought by environmental justice.

Question 11

A deep ecology worldview would support all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A deep ecology worldview would support the inherent responsibility of individuals to implement changes in society so that humans can flourish, as this aligns with the belief in the interconnectedness and interdependence of all life forms. The other choices are in line with deep ecology principles.

Question 12

What is a potential shortcoming in achieving environmental justice?

Accepted Answer

Lack of political involvement and awareness of exposure to pollutants can hinder the achievement of environmental justice, as these communities may not have the resources or knowledge to advocate for their rights and demand action from government agencies or polluting companies.

Question 13

An expansionist worldview would support all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

An expansionist worldview would support all of the above, as it views the growth and expansion of territory, resources, and wealth as essential for the success and survival of a society or nation.

Question 14

According to the Western worldview humanity is ethically obligated to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

According to the Western worldview, humanity's ethical obligation is primarily towards other humans. While there may be some concern for the environment and other organisms, the primary focus is on human well-being and progress. Biodiversity and natural resources may also be considered important, but only insofar as they directly impact humans.

Question 15

What is deep ecology worldview?

Accepted Answer

Deep ecology worldview is based on the idea that all species have equal worth, and human beings are not given a special status or privilege. This worldview considers the well-being of the entire ecosystem and emphasizes the intrinsic value of nature.

Question 16

The issue that racial and ethnic minorities face unusually high exposure to environmental hazards is a central argument to:

Accepted Answer

Environmental justice is a social movement that seeks to address the disproportionate burden of environmental hazards on marginalized communities, particularly racial and ethnic minorities. The issue of high exposure to environmental hazards by these communities is central to the environmental justice movement. Choices A, C, and D are not related to this issue.

Question 17

Which of the following statements reflects the Western worldview?

Accepted Answer

The statement that humans have the right to modify the environment to benefit their wellbeing and high standard of living reflects the Western worldview. This worldview is characterized by a focus on progress, individualism, and the idea that humans are separate from and above nature. The other options reflect alternative worldviews, such as a holistic or environmentalist perspective (option A), an ecological or conservationist perspective (option B), or a more egalitarian or non-anthropocentric perspective (option D).

Question 18

The idea that species have intrinsic value would be supported by:

Accepted Answer

People with a deep ecology worldview believe that all species have intrinsic value and that their existence is valuable in itself, regardless of any benefits they may provide to humans.

Question 19

A personal perspective based on a collection of basic values and beliefs about how the environment works,that helps us make sense of our place and purpose in it,and determine right and wrong behaviors describes:

Accepted Answer

An environmental worldview is a personal perspective based on a collection of basic values and beliefs about how the environment works. It helps individuals understand their place and purpose within the environment and guides them in determining what behaviors are considered right or wrong in relation to the environment.

Question 20

The deep ecology world view most closely resembles the:

Accepted Answer

The deep ecology world view is defined as a biocentric attitude towards nature which sees all living things as having intrinsic value and rights, independent of their usefulness to humans. This closely aligns with the biocentric preservationist attitude, which emphasizes the protection of all species and ecosystems, regardless of their potential usefulness to humans.

Quiz 2: Sustainability and Human Values