Question 1

Alphonse and Justyn joined a group of environmental activists who marched in front of the Canadian Parliament buildings and then in front of the Alberta Legislature to protest the further development of the "oil sands" in Alberta.According to the text,why is extracting oil from bituminous sands,or "oil sands," a contentious process?

Accepted Answer

Extracting oil from bituminous sands, or "oil sands," is a contentious process because it produces more greenhouse gas than conventional oil extraction processes. This contributes to the issue of climate change, which is a major concern for environmental activists.

Question 2

As City X grew,a new source of energy was needed to power the increasing number of factories and homes.A wind farm was built and companies were given subsidies to use solar power.Which concept includes the logic behind developing wind and solar power rather than using oil or coal?

Accepted Answer

The concept that best fits the scenario described is sustainable development since it involves finding renewable and environmentally-friendly sources of energy to meet the needs of a growing population without depleting resources or causing harm to the environment. This fits with the development of wind and solar power and the subsidies given to companies to use them instead of non-renewable sources like oil or coal.

Question 3

According to the text,which term refers to the study of the interdependence between humans and the natural environment?

Accepted Answer

The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) refers to a view that recognizes the interdependence between humans and the natural environment, emphasizing that human social and cultural practices are deeply intertwined with and influenced by ecological processes.

Question 4

Which paradigm criticizes classical theories for failing to consider the environment?

Accepted Answer

The New Ecological Paradigm critiques classical theories for failing to consider the environment and emphasizes the interdependence between humans and the environment. The other paradigms listed either emphasize human domination over the environment (Human Exemptionalism Paradigm) or the exceptionalism of certain species (Ecological Exception Paradigm) or focus on the intersection of the environment and economy (Contemporary Enviro-ecological Paradigm).

Question 5

Demography is the study of cities and urban development.

Accepted Answer

Demography is the scientific study of human population characteristics, such as size, growth, density, distribution, and vital statistics. It is not specifically focused on cities and urban development.

Question 6

Coal,a polluting fossil fuel,has been rebranded as "clean coal," with controlled emissions and open-pit mines reclaimed for green space.Advocates claim coal is necessary for economic growth,while being environmentally friendly.What term identifies this approach?

Accepted Answer

This approach is known as sustainable development, which aims to promote economic growth while also protecting the environment and natural resources for future generations. The rebranding of coal as "clean coal" is an attempt to make it more sustainable, but many environmentalists argue that it is still a highly polluting and unsustainable energy source.

Question 7

According to the text,which term refers to development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet its own needs?

Accepted Answer

The term that refers to development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet its own needs is sustainable development.

Question 8

The rains caused such terrible flooding and destruction in country Z that people had to leave their homes and move into the mountains.According to the text,which term refers to these migrants?

Accepted Answer

The term commonly used to refer to people forced to leave their homes due to environmental factors such as floods, drought, or other natural disasters is "environmental refugees." Therefore, the correct answer is D, "environmental refugees." Choices A, B, and C are not accurate terms used to describe this particular type of migrant.

Question 9

Why were the Alberta oil sands also known as the Avatar Sands?

Accepted Answer

James Cameron, director of the film Avatar, lent his support to the efforts of local residents to bring attention to environmental issues related to the Alberta oil sands. The Avatar Sands is a nickname given to the area due to its resemblance to the planet Pandora featured in the film Avatar.

Question 10

The United Nations adopted an agenda for sustainable development in 2015.By what year is it intended that the agenda be achieved?

Accepted Answer

The United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in 2015. The agenda is intended to be achieved by the year 2030.

Question 11

According to the text,which theoretical approach would argue that industry,humans,and the environment can coexist provided everyone works together to protect the environment?

Accepted Answer

The functionalist approach views society as a system in which all parts work together to ensure the smooth functioning of society. In this case, the industry, humans, and environment are viewed as parts of the system, and the functionalist approach would argue that they can coexist if they work together in harmony to protect the environment.

Question 12

Which term describes the economic system's need for increasing profits through consumer demand?

Accepted Answer

The term "treadmill of production" refers to the economic system's constant need to increase profits through consumer demand, leading to unsustainable levels of resource consumption and environmental damage.

Question 13

Which claim is made by advocates of sustainable development?

Accepted Answer

Advocates of sustainable development believe that we must take into account the needs of future generations and ensure that our actions do not prevent them from meeting their needs. This includes considering the impact of our current actions on the environment and making choices that will promote long-term ecological and societal sustainability. Choices A and B are not supported by advocates of sustainable development, as they promote wasteful or inefficient behavior. Choice C is not a claim made by advocates of sustainable development, as they believe that past ecological mistakes must be acknowledged and addressed in order to move towards a more sustainable future.

Question 14

A young woman decries the spoiling of the earth's natural environment,claiming that male-dominated industry embodies practices that are the antithesis of Mother Nature's nurturing and regenerative ways.Which environmentalist category best fits this person's views?

Accepted Answer

The woman's views align with the principles of ecofeminism, which emphasizes the connections between the domination of women and the destruction of nature.

Question 15

Which term refers to chemicals that stay intact in the environment for long periods,become widely distributed geographically,accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms,and are toxic to human and wildlife?

Accepted Answer

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment, can travel long distances through air and water, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms, and are harmful to human and wildlife health. Examples of POPs include DDT, PCBs, and dioxins.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT one of the recommendations included in the textbook as a type of "better" environmental choice?

Accepted Answer

Eating more slowly to reduce waste is not typically listed as an environmental recommendation in textbooks. Recommendations usually focus on reducing resource consumption, limiting pollution, and enhancing sustainability, such as walking or biking instead of driving, reducing toxin exposure, and conserving water.

Question 17

According to the text,what is the basic perspective of ecofeminism?

Accepted Answer

The text explicitly states that the basic perspective of ecofeminism is that "exploiting women and dominating the environment are intimately associated phenomena." This means that ecofeminists see a connection between the oppression of women and the degradation of the environment. None of the other options accurately capture the basic perspective of ecofeminism.

Question 18

Which statement does NOT accurately describe sustainable development?

Accepted Answer

Sustainable development is more likely to be achieved in a society with a strong and large middle class, as this typically indicates a balanced distribution of wealth and resources, which supports social stability and economic growth.

Question 19

What idea represents a major attempt to bridge the difference between the dominant and alternative environmental outlooks?

Accepted Answer

Sustainable development is a major attempt to bridge the difference between the dominant anthropocentric outlook and the alternative ecocentric outlook. It emphasizes the need to meet the needs of future generations while also preserving the integrity of the natural environment.

Question 20

The earth is beyond its carrying capacity and to sustain itself humanity would require 3.5 planets.

Accepted Answer

Current estimates suggest that humanity is using natural resources at a rate that would require roughly 1.7 Earths to be sustainable, not 3.5. This figure can vary based on the methodologies used to calculate ecological footprints and carrying capacity.

Quiz 14: Going Green: Environmental Sociology