Question 1

Of the following behaviors, the one that runs counter to the three principles of sustainability is

Accepted Answer

The three principles of sustainability are social, economic, and environmental. Producing and consuming anything people are willing to buy may not align with the environmental principle as it could lead to overconsumption and degradation of natural resources.

Question 2

Meeting current and future basic resource needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their basic needs is considered a(n)

Accepted Answer

An environmentally sustainable society is one that meets current and future basic resource needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their basic needs. This is achieved through responsible management and conservation of natural resources. Choice A (natural income) refers to the yield or income we get from natural resources or ecosystems, but it does not necessarily address sustainability. Trade-offs (choice B) reflect the difficult choices we have to make when allocating limited resources, but again, it does not directly address sustainability. Scientific solutions (choice C) can be a part of achieving sustainability, but it is not a complete answer on its own. Natural capital degradation (choice E) refers to the depletion of natural resources over time and is the opposite of sustainable development.

Question 3

Which statement best illustrates the "tragedy of the commons?"

Accepted Answer

The "tragedy of the commons" refers to a situation where individual users, acting independently according to their own self-interest, behave contrary to the common good of all users by depleting or spoiling that resource through their collective action. Choice A, where a factory pollutes a river as much as the law allows, best illustrates this concept as it shows how individual actions, legally justified, can collectively harm a shared resource.

Question 4

Which worldview is most consistent with the current situation in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The United States' current approach often aligns with the planetary management worldview, which emphasizes human control over nature and the use of technology and innovation to manage natural resources for human benefit.

Question 5

Decreasing population growth in more-developed countries will

Accepted Answer

Decreasing population growth in more-developed countries would lead to a decrease in resource consumption as fewer people would be consuming goods and services. With a smaller population, there would be less demand for food, water, energy, and other resources, leading to a reduction in resource consumption. This, in turn, could help to reduce the strain on the environment and promote sustainability.

Question 6

According to a number of environmental and social scientists, four basic causes of environmental degradation are

Accepted Answer

Poverty and population growth lead to increased demand for resources, which can be unsustainable if not managed properly. Unsustainable resource use, such as overfishing or deforestation, can lead to environmental degradation. Additionally, failure to include environmental costs in market prices can lead to overuse and depletion of resources.

Question 7

According to World Bank estimates, how many people live on less than US $1.25 per day?

Accepted Answer

According to World Bank estimates, as of 2015, approximately 900 million people lived on less than US $1.25 per day. Option A (200 million) and B (400 million) are significantly lower than the actual figure, and option D (2.4 billion) and E (3.9 billion) are much higher than the actual figure.

Question 8

Government subsidies to companies are most likely to cause problems because

Accepted Answer

Government subsidies may encourage companies to overuse or deplete natural resources, leading to environmental problems. Additionally, subsidies can create a dependence on government support rather than innovation and competition to drive growth.

Question 9

Companies using resources to provide goods for consumers

Accepted Answer

Many companies are not required to pay for the environmental costs, leading to externalities where the environment bears the cost.

Question 10

What environmental worldview proposes that we can and should manage the earth for our benefit, but that we have an ethical responsibility to be caring and responsible managers of the earth?

Accepted Answer

The environmental worldview that proposes we have an ethical responsibility to manage the earth for our benefit but also to be caring and responsible managers is called stewardship. This viewpoint acknowledges that humans have the ability to use and modify natural resources for our benefit, but also that we have a responsibility to do it in a way that is sustainable and does not harm future generations. It emphasizes the need for conservation and preservation of natural resources, as well as the use of technology to create a more sustainable future.

Question 11

Affluent countries

Accepted Answer

Affluent countries typically have high levels of consumption and resource use, leading to significant environmental degradation, waste, and pollution.

Question 12

The earth's natural income includes

Accepted Answer

The earth's natural income refers to the renewable resources provided by Earth's natural capital such as sunlight, wind energy, and water resources. Therefore, choice B is the best answer. The human population, plants, fossil fuels, and nonrenewable resources are not considered natural income as they are not renewable resources provided by Earth's natural capital.

Question 13

Your environmental worldview describes

Accepted Answer

Your environmental worldview reflects your assumptions and values about the world and your role in it. It encompasses your beliefs about the natural world, humans' relationship with the environment, and the role of technology and economics in shaping the world. It is not necessarily tied to a specific environmental ethic, creationism or evolutionism, political ideology, or perception of the health of the planet.

Question 14

Poverty is defined as

Accepted Answer

Poverty is a condition in which people are unable to fulfill their basic needs for food, water, shelter, health, and education. It is a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses lack of resources, capabilities, opportunities, and choices. It is not just about having low income, but also about being deprived of essential goods and services that are necessary for a decent standard of living.

Question 15

A reasonable goal is to reduce global population growth by year ____ to level off around ____ billion.

Accepted Answer

According to current estimates, global population growth is expected to level off around 9-10 billion by 2050. Therefore, reducing global population growth by 2040 to level off around 8 billion is a feasible and reasonable goal. Option D of reducing to 6 billion by 2020 is already past its deadline and not possible at this point. Option C of reducing to 13 billion by 2040 is not a reduction at all but an increase from the projected level. Option B of reducing to 8 billion by 2020 is also not feasible given the current population growth rate. Option E of reducing to 5 billion by 2060 is not a reasonable or desirable goal as it would require a significant decrease in global population that could lead to several negative consequences such as social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Question 16

What environmental worldview proposes that we are part of and dependent on nature and that the earth's life-support systems exists for all species, and not merely for us?

Accepted Answer

The environmental worldview that proposes that we are part of and dependent on nature and that the earth's life-support systems exist for all species, not just for us, is called environmental wisdom. This worldview recognizes the interdependence of all species on Earth and believes that humans should act as responsible stewards of the environment. Planetary management, on the other hand, views humans as separate from and dominant over nature, while stewardship acknowledges our responsibility to manage and care for the environment for the benefit of future generations. National origin and technological worldviews are not related to environmental perspectives.

Question 17

The human population currently totals

Accepted Answer

As of 2020, the estimated human population is 7.1 billion, making option D the correct answer. None of the other options are close to the current population figures.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about less-developed countries is true?

Accepted Answer

Less-developed countries typically have high population growth rates due to factors such as lack of access to contraceptives, high infant mortality, and cultural beliefs.

Question 19

We can best face the challenge of slowing population growth through

Accepted Answer

Promoting family planning and elevating the status of women has been proven to be the most effective way to slow population growth. When women have access to education and reproductive healthcare, they are more likely to delay marriage and childbirth, have fewer children, and invest in their own futures. This approach has been successful in many developed and developing countries. Slowing economic development or overexploiting shared resources can have negative consequences on society and the environment, and decreasing the educational status of women would only worsen the problem. Legislation that applies only in less developed countries would not be effective in addressing the global issue of population growth.

Question 20

An environmentally sustainable society

Accepted Answer

An environmentally sustainable society is one that lives on the income that natural capital provides, meaning it uses renewable resources and does not deplete them faster than they can be replenished. It also ensures that future generations have the same ability to meet their basic needs by not compromising their access to natural resources. Policies favoring economic growth and development often come at the cost of the environment and natural resources, so they are not in line with an environmentally sustainable society. The use of nonrenewable resources also depletes natural capital and is therefore not sustainable.

Quiz 1: Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability