Question 1

Why is the environment's ability to meet present and future needs directly related to technology and social organization?
I. Environmental impacts depend on population density
II. Affluence determines people's level of consumption, and hence, their environmental impact
III. Modern technological advances have made it possible for humans to significantly alter planetary systems
A) I
B) II
C) III
D) I, II, and III
E) II and III

Accepted Answer

Environmental impacts are affected by population density and level of consumption, both of which are related to social organization and technology. Modern technological advances have also given humans greater power to alter planetary systems. Hence all three statements are true, making D the correct answer.

Question 2

What is living sustainably and how does it relate to the analogy of "living off the interest instead of living off the principal "? What changes are needed to approach this ideal?

Accepted Answer

If the world's resources were considered a bank account, then living off the interest instead of having to tap into the principal would be considered living sustainably. Environmental sustainability is the ability to meet humanity's current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This means keeping the principal intact. To approach this ideal, natural resources are not overused, excessive pollution is not generated and economic growth is balanced with environmental conservation.

Question 3

Globally, where do most malnourished people live?
A) Rural areas
B) Urban areas
C) Islands
D) In the northern hemisphere
E) In areas of high rainfall

Accepted Answer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most malnourished people live in rural areas where access to food and healthcare is limited. In these areas, poverty, lack of education, and poor infrastructure contribute to high rates of malnutrition.

Question 4

Which of terms below is defined as "The ability to meet humanity's current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs?"
A) Environmental sustainability
B) Limited development
C) Carrying capacity
D) Per capita GNI PPP
E) Peak Oil

Accepted Answer

Environmental sustainability is defined as the ability to meet humanity's current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This means that in all our activities, we should take into consideration the impact on the environment and ensure that we use resources in a way that will not deplete them for the future generations.

Question 5

How does the concept of Sustainable Development differ from that of Environmental Sustainability?
A) It focuses on meeting the current needs of humanity, without compromising the future needs of humanity
B) It is concerned about not over-using natural resources
C) It has a more direct focus on improving peoples' lives
D) It does not consider future generations

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does the concept of Sustainable Development...

Question 6

Which of the following factors determine whether or not consumption is sustainable?
A) Population
B) Economic activities
C) Technology choices
D) Social values
E) All of these choices are correct

Accepted Answer

All of the listed factors play a role in determining whether or not consumption is sustainable. Population growth can lead to increased demand for resources and strain on the environment. Economic activities, such as production and consumption patterns, can also have significant environmental impacts. Technology choices can either increase or decrease resource efficiency and environmental impacts. Social values and behavior can influence consumption patterns and the demand for sustainable products and services.

Question 7

All of the following are likely candidates to be incorporated into a comprehensive energy plan to stabilize the global climate EXCEPT:
A) Nuclear power
B) Carbon sequestration
C) Energy conservation
D) Increased use of fossil fuels as developing nations like China grow economically
E) Reducing use of fossil fuels in highly developed nations

Accepted Answer

Increased use of fossil fuels goes against the goal of stabilizing the global climate as they are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The other options (A, B, C, and E) are all viable strategies for reducing emissions and achieving climate stabilization.

Question 8

Fill in the two blanks in the following statement: According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average global temperature increased by ____ in the last 100 years, with more than half of that warming occurring in the last _____ years.
A) 1° C; 10
B) 1° C; 30
C) 2° C; 10
D) 2° C; 30.
E) 3° C; 30

Accepted Answer

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the average global temperature has increased by 1° C in the last 100 years, with more than half of that warming occurring in the last 30 years.

Question 9

Which of the following is a true statement regarding the level of wealth in highly developed nations?
I. It has created the wealthiest group of people that has ever lived
II. Less than 5% of the world's people control approximately 25% of the world's economy
III. The wealthiest nations depend on many other nations for their level of prosperity
A) I
B) II
C) III
D) I and II
E) I, II, and III

Accepted Answer

I. The level of wealth in highly developed nations has indeed created the wealthiest group of people in history, due to advancements in technology, productivity, and global trade.II. While the specific percentages might vary, it is true that a small percentage of the world's population controls a significant portion of the world's wealth, highlighting global economic inequality.III. Wealthy nations often rely on resources, labor, and markets from a variety of other nations to maintain and enhance their prosperity, making global interdependence a key feature of the modern economy.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service provided by forests?
A) Raw material for clothes
B) Biomass for energy production
C) Climate regulation
D) Medicinal chemicals
E) Building materials

Accepted Answer

Forests provide climate regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis, which helps to mitigate global warming and maintain stable temperatures. Forests also impact precipitation patterns and help reduce the effects of natural disasters such as floods and landslides. While forests may also provide raw materials, biomass for energy production, medicinal chemicals, and building materials, these are not ecosystem services as they involve direct human extraction or use of forest resources rather than their natural functions in the ecosystem.

Question 11

What factor(s) ultimately determine the carrying capacity of a given ecosystem?
A) The technological development of the organisms living there
B) The number of people living there
C) How long organisms have existed there
D) Its ability to absorb wastes and renew itself
E) All of these choices are correct

Accepted Answer

The carrying capacity of an ecosystem is ultimately determined by its ability to absorb wastes and renew itself. This refers to its ability to maintain its resources, such as water, nutrients, and energy, and maintain a balance between producers and consumers. The technological development of organisms, the number of people living in the area, and how long organisms have existed there may all have an impact on the ecosystem, but ultimately the ability of the ecosystem to sustain itself is the most important factor in determining its carrying capacity.

Question 12

Which of the following is a true statement regarding resource consumption in highly developed countries?
A) It is similar to that in developing countries
B) It will not play a role in determining the earth's carrying capacity
C) It must be reduced in order to achieve environmental sustainability
D) It has been gradually decreasing
E) It is not generally linked to levels of affluence

Accepted Answer

Highly developed countries have a high resource consumption, and reducing it is necessary to achieve environmental sustainability.

Question 13

An important lesson that applies to many of the environmental issues discussed in this course is that:
A) Almost all environmental problems have identifiable solutions
B) People in one part of the world are unaffected by the environmental choices made in other parts
C) Those of us who live in highly developed nations are at the core of the environmental problems facing the world today
D) Taking a "wait-and-see" approach is an effective way to deal with environmental problems
E) Developing nations use the majority of the world's resources

Accepted Answer

Almost all environmental problems have identifiable solutions.

Question 14

Identify and explain at least three distinct reasons why more scientists and engineers are needed in developing countries. What steps are needed in order to make this a possibility?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify and explain at least three distinct...

Question 15

Approximately what percentage of the original area of tropical rain forests remains intact?
A) Slightly less than one quarter
B) Slightly less than one third
C) Slightly less than half
D) Slightly less than two thirds
E) Slightly less than three quarters

Accepted Answer

Slightly less than one third of the original area of tropical rain forests remains intact due to extensive deforestation and land conversion activities over the years.

Question 16

How does environmental diplomacy differ from diplomacy concerning other issues?
A) It requires that policy decisions be made on an international level
B) It involves issues critical to the survival of millions of people
C) It will require a clear policy statement
D) It will require good mediators
E) It has an extremely long history

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does environmental diplomacy differ from diplomacy...

Question 17

What role(s) do poverty and the standard of living play in addressing environmental problems on a global level? What actions will need to be taken to begin to address these critical issues?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What role(s) do poverty and the standard...

Question 18

Which of the following is necessary to help raise the standard of living for the poorest segments of the population?
A) Education of children and reduction of illiteracy
B) Increasing the number of trained professionals in highly developed nations
C) Increasing the flow of money from developing to highly developed nations
D) Maintain the current status of women in most developing nations
E) All of these statements are correct

Accepted Answer

Education is essential for poverty reduction as it helps to increase employability, income, and productivity. Reduction of illiteracy also helps to improve health outcomes and promotes gender equality, which is important for the empowerment of women. While increasing the number of trained professionals and improving financial flows are also important, education is the foundation for sustainable development and poverty reduction. Maintaining the current status of women in developing nations is not desirable as gender inequality is a major barrier to poverty reduction.

Question 19

Which of the following is a true statement about sustainable consumption?
A) It is generally not affected by economic activities
B) If we do not voluntarily adopt it now, we may be forced into it in the future due to environmental degradation of the world and its resources
C) It does not require knowledge of resource levels
D) It is generally unaffected by social values
E) It will not require clear government plans

Accepted Answer

Sustainable consumption is crucial for reducing the negative impact of human activities on the environment, and if we do not adopt it voluntarily, we may be forced into it in the future due to environmental degradation of the world and its resources. Option A, C, D, and E are incorrect because sustainable consumption is affected by economic activities, requires knowledge of resource levels, is affected by social values, and requires clear government plans to be successful.

Question 20

"The poor stay poor, not because they're lazy but because they have no access to capital." This statement provides the philosophical basis for which development strategy?
A) Establishment of the United Nations Children's Fund
B) Establishment of Microcredit programs
C) Reversing the flow of global funds so that is moves from highly developed to developing countries
D) Increasing the number of trained professionals in developing nations
E) Raising the status of women in developing nations

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that poverty is not solely the result of laziness, but rather a lack of resources, specifically access to capital. Microcredit programs provide small loans to those who do not have access to traditional banking systems, thereby giving them the capital necessary to start or expand their own businesses and improve their economic situation.

Quiz 24: Tomorrows Word

What is living sustainably and how does it relate to the analogy of "living off the interest instead of living off the principal "? What changes are needed to approach this ideal?

Globally, where do most malnourished people live?

Which of terms below is defined as "The ability to meet humanity's current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs?"

How does the concept of Sustainable Development differ from that of Environmental Sustainability?

Which of the following factors determine whether or not consumption is sustainable?

All of the following are likely candidates to be incorporated into a comprehensive energy plan to stabilize the global climate EXCEPT:

Fill in the two blanks in the following statement: According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average global temperature increased by in the last 100 years, with more than half of that warming occurring in the last _ years.

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service provided by forests?

What factor(s) ultimately determine the carrying capacity of a given ecosystem?

Which of the following is a true statement regarding resource consumption in highly developed countries?

An important lesson that applies to many of the environmental issues discussed in this course is that:

Identify and explain at least three distinct reasons why more scientists and engineers are needed in developing countries. What steps are needed in order to make this a possibility?

Approximately what percentage of the original area of tropical rain forests remains intact?

How does environmental diplomacy differ from diplomacy concerning other issues?

What role(s) do poverty and the standard of living play in addressing environmental problems on a global level? What actions will need to be taken to begin to address these critical issues?

Which of the following is necessary to help raise the standard of living for the poorest segments of the population?

Which of the following is a true statement about sustainable consumption?

"The poor stay poor, not because they're lazy but because they have no access to capital." This statement provides the philosophical basis for which development strategy?