Question 1

Compare and contrast the policy recommendations of conservatives, liberals, and progressives.
-Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a carbon tax and an emissions cap-and-trading system. Which do you think is better? Why

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast the policy recommendations of...

Question 2

What does the phrase, "tragedy of the commons" refer to?

Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons refers to the idea that unrestricted access to public land will lead to resource depletion. It is a concept in environmental science and economics that describes the depletion or degradation of a shared resource due to individuals' self-interest and the absence of regulation or property rights.

Question 3

According to conservatives the problem of pollution arises because

Accepted Answer

Conservatives often argue that pollution arises because the costs of pollution are externalized and do not directly impact business profits, leading to insufficient incentives for businesses to reduce pollution.

Question 4

According to critics of the Liberal view, laws to control pollution are

Accepted Answer

Critics of the Liberal view argue that laws to control pollution are often ineffective due to the opposition of powerful business lobbies.

Question 5

Who was Robert Malthus?

Accepted Answer

Robert Malthus was an economist who believed that population growth would eventually lead to resource depletion. He argued that while population grows exponentially, food production can only increase arithmetically, leading to inevitable famine and poverty. This concept is known as the "Malthusian theory" of population growth.

Question 6

The environmental problem currently receiving the most media attention is climate change. What is the issue of climate change about?

Accepted Answer

Climate change refers to variations in the Earth's prevailing weather conditions over time, including changes in precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns. It is caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agricultural practices that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures and a range of related impacts such as sea level rise, more frequent and severe weather events, and changing patterns of precipitation.

Question 7

What is the greenhouse effect?

Accepted Answer

The greenhouse effect refers to the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. This can cause global warming and climate change.

Question 8

Why are neoclassical conservative economists optimistic about climate change?

Accepted Answer

Neoclassical conservative economists believe that a strong economy will result in technological progress that will eventually lead to a cleaner environment. They are optimistic about the future because they believe that economic growth and climate mitigation can coexist.

Question 9

A much discussed approach to greenhouse emissions is the cap-and-trade system. How does this work?

Accepted Answer

The cap-and-trade system works by setting a limit (or "cap") on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed in a certain period of time. Companies are then allowed to buy and sell permits (or "credits") that allow them to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. If a company emits less than its allotted amount, it could sell its remaining permits to other companies that may need them. This system creates a market for greenhouse gas emissions and encourages companies to find cost-effective ways to reduce their emissions.

Question 10

Examples of "visible pollutants" include

Accepted Answer

Visible pollutants are those that can be seen by the naked eye, such as cans, wastepaper, and smoke. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are gases that are invisible, and sulfur in its common forms is not typically visible in pollution contexts.

Question 11

The most important source of smog in most cities is

Accepted Answer

Automobiles are the most significant source of smog in most cities due to the emissions from their exhaust systems. Wood burning, hydroelectric dams, and nuclear power plants do not release the same level of pollutants into the air.

Quiz 23: Environmental Devastation

Compare and contrast the policy recommendations of conservatives, liberals, and progressives. -Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a carbon tax and an emissions cap-and-trading system. Which do you think is better? Why