Question 1

In which of the following nations are people most likely to be concerned about environmental dangers?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which of the following nations are...

Question 2

Monsanto, the American-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, has scoured Earth in a quest to patent plants that have been used for centuries by Indigenous people as medication and turn them into commercially viable medicines. What does Monsanto call this practice?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Monsanto, the American-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation,...

Question 3

What do we call the disproportionate accumulation of environmental dangers to racialized minorities?

Accepted Answer

Environmental racism refers to the way in which minority group neighborhoods (populated primarily by people of color and members of low socioeconomic groups) are burdened with a disproportionate number of hazards, including toxic waste facilities, garbage dumps, and other sources of environmental pollution and foul odors that lower the quality of life.

Question 4

In the late 1960s, the river running through the Ojibwa village of Grassy Narrows in Ontario was poisoned for 50 years by mercury pollution from a local pulp mill. What does this example illustrate?

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates environmental racism, which refers to the way in which minority group neighborhoods (populated primarily by people of color and members of low socioeconomic groups) are burdened with a disproportionate number of hazards, including toxic waste facilities, garbage dumps, and other sources of environmental pollution and foul odors that lower the quality of life.

Question 5

How much more does the richest quintile of the world's population earn than the poorest quintile?

Accepted Answer

The richest quintile of the world's population earns about 80 times more than the poorest quintile. This stark disparity highlights the significant income inequality that exists globally.

Question 6

According to the textbook, what is a likely outcome of the ability to genetically program fetal development in humans?

Accepted Answer

Genetically programming fetal development could lead to increased inequality as it may only be accessible to those who can afford it, creating a divide between those who can enhance their offspring and those who cannot.

Question 7

Uranium ore was manually carried out of Port Radium in the Northwest Territories by Dene men who were paid minimally and were not warned the dangers of handling the materials. What does this example illustrate?

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates environmental racism, which refers to policies or practices that disproportionately impact individuals, groups, or communities based on race or color, where they are subjected to environmental hazards or denied access to environmental benefits. In this case, the Dene men, belonging to an indigenous group, were not informed of the dangers associated with handling uranium ore, highlighting a form of discrimination based on their ethnic or racial background.

Question 8

According to the textbook, why do reporters flock to mobile home parks when small tornadoes strike a geographic region?

Accepted Answer

Mobile homes are generally more vulnerable to damage from tornadoes compared to other types of structures due to their construction and the way they are anchored. This often results in more dramatic damage, which can attract media attention.

Question 9

According to the textbook, which of the following groups is most likely to experience disproportionately more environmental risk?

Accepted Answer

Poor people are often more exposed to environmental risks due to factors such as living in areas with higher pollution levels, less access to clean water and air, and fewer resources to mitigate the impacts of environmental hazards.

Question 10

What do we call the tendency of powerful people to put marginalized people in harm's way?

Accepted Answer

Environmental racism refers to the way in which minority group neighborhoods (populated primarily by people of color and low-income communities) are burdened with a disproportionate number of hazards, including toxic waste facilities, garbage dumps, and other sources of environmental pollution and foul odors that lower the quality of life.

Question 11

Which of the following counties in Nova Scotia was the most polluted in the 1990s?

Accepted Answer

Cape Breton was the most polluted in the 1990s, primarily due to the heavy industrial activities, including coal mining and steel manufacturing, which had significant environmental impacts.

Question 12

According to the textbook, which of the following is the most likely to suffer from cancer?

Accepted Answer

Occupational exposure to carcinogens is higher among certain professions, including truck driving, due to prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust and other hazardous substances, making Don the most likely to suffer from cancer.

Question 13

Lee is concerned because he lives in the nation that is considered the world's largest polluter. Where does he live?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Lee is concerned because he lives in...

Question 14

There is a disturbing association in Canada between high levels of contamination and pollution and which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Indigenous peoples in Canada often live in areas with higher levels of contamination and pollution due to historical and ongoing environmental injustices.

Question 15

According to some analysts, what will enable environmental problems to self-correct?

Accepted Answer

Technological forces are often cited by analysts as a key factor that will enable environmental problems to self-correct, through innovations that improve efficiency, reduce waste, and create sustainable alternatives to harmful practices.

Question 16

In the United States, heavy industrial polluters are often located near African-American communities. What does this example illustrate?

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates environmental racism, which refers to the way in which minority group neighborhoods (populated primarily by people of color and low-income communities) are burdened with a disproportionate number of hazards, including toxic waste facilities, garbage dumps, and other sources of environmental pollution and foul odors that lower the quality of life.

Question 17

Monsanto, the American-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, has scoured Earth in a quest to patent plants that have been used for centuries by Indigenous people as medication and turn them into commercially viable medicines. What do Indigenous people call this practice?

Accepted Answer

Biopiracy is the term used by Indigenous people to describe the practice of commercializing their traditional knowledge and biological resources without permission or compensation, as implied in the scenario with Monsanto.

Question 18

Which of the following places would be the most likely location for a new water-purification site?

Accepted Answer

Poor suburbs often have inadequate access to clean water, making them prime locations for new water-purification sites to improve public health and living conditions.

Question 19

Which of the following nations is most likely to be responsible for global environmental damage?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following nations is most...

Question 20

When natural disasters strike, marginalized people tend to experience more hardship. What do sociologists call this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When natural disasters strike, marginalized people tend...

Quiz 22: Technology and the Global Environment