Question 1

Bottlenecks to transitions are always very obvious to an observer

Accepted Answer

Bottlenecks to transitions may not always be obvious and may require careful analysis and observation to identify.

Question 2

Which of the following is not one of the four forms of power that ensure regime stability?

Accepted Answer

The four forms of power that ensure regime stability are institutional, discursive, material, and instrumental. Technological is not one of the four forms of power.

Question 3

The biggest bottleneck in sustainability transitions in the United States is:

Accepted Answer

While all of the options presented may pose challenges, politics is often the biggest barrier to sustainability transitions in the United States. The political climate can strongly influence policy decisions and funding allocation towards sustainable initiatives. Additionally, influencing public opinion on the importance of sustainability may be limited by political viewpoints and attitudes.

Question 4

The acronym ALEC stands for:

Accepted Answer

ALEC stands for American Legislative Exchange Council, which is a conservative organization that drafts and promotes model legislation to be adopted at the state level.

Question 5

What is a main goal of ALEC?

Accepted Answer

ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) is a conservative organization that advocates for limited government, free markets, and federalism. One of its main goals is to remove actual or perceived barriers to further fossil fuel development, such as environmental regulations and restrictions on drilling or exploration. ALEC has been criticized for its ties to the fossil fuel industry and for promoting policies that benefit their interests.

Question 6

Clean coal is a common source of energy used throughout North America

Accepted Answer

While "clean coal" technologies exist, they are not currently a common source of energy used throughout North America. The majority of North America's energy is still derived from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are not considered "clean."

Question 7

Besides being associated with earthquakes, what is another less commonly mentioned implication of fracking that was described in this chapter?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Besides being associated with earthquakes, what is...

Question 8

Fossil fuel industries hope to protect the regime by drilling in the Arctic, which would result in the release of methyl hydrates. What is the main concern for the release of methyl hydrates into the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Methyl hydrates have a high global warming potential and releasing them into the atmosphere could contribute to further warming of the planet. This could have severe consequences for the environment, including melting of ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense natural disasters.

Question 9

If the earth is to stay below a 2 degree Celsius rise in global temperature, what is the maximum carbon dioxide ppm value that cannot be exceeded?

Accepted Answer

To limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, carbon dioxide levels must stay below 450 parts per million (ppm). This threshold is based on climate models and international agreements aimed at preventing the most severe impacts of climate change.

Question 10

Jordan et al. (2013) suggests one strategy to meet the 2 degree Celsius mark is to adopt new metrics and targets. How are they characterized?

Accepted Answer

Jordan et al. suggest that the new metrics and targets should be more specific and near-term in order to meet the 2 degree Celsius mark.

Question 11

Laboratories of democracy and innovation occur on what spatial scale?

Accepted Answer

Laboratories of democracy and innovation can occur on both state and city scales. States may implement policies and programs that are unique to their particular circumstances, while cities may experiment with new approaches to issues specific to their urban environments. Clusters, or concentrations of related industries, may also serve as sites of innovation and experimentation but are not mentioned as a possible answer choice. Nations are too large of a spatial scale to foster localized experimentation and innovation.

Question 12

The "natural resource curse" can be described as:

Accepted Answer

The natural resource curse refers to the paradox that countries with abundant natural resources, such as oil and minerals, often have lower economic growth and development than those without such resources. This can be due to various factors, such as corruption, reliance on a single industry, and failure to diversify the economy. Choice A refers to the exploitation of resources by foreign powers, which can contribute to the natural resource curse but is not the definition of it. Choice C is an oversimplification and not an accurate description of the natural resource curse.

Question 13

The NIMBY hypothesis suggests that people are unlikely to support a large-scale change in their place but are more likely to accept it if it occurs elsewhere

Accepted Answer

The NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) hypothesis proposes that people tend to oppose or resist large-scale changes that could potentially affect their neighborhood or community. However, they may be more willing to accept such changes if they occur in another location or if they are not as visible or impactful to their immediate surroundings.

Question 14

Cultural values do not act as a bottleneck to sustainability transitions

Accepted Answer

Cultural values can often act as a bottleneck to sustainability transitions. For example, cultural attitudes towards consumption and individualism can make it difficult to promote sustainability measures such as reducing consumption and sharing resources. Cultural beliefs about the importance of economic growth and technological progress can also make it difficult to prioritize sustainability over short-term economic gains. However, it is important to note that cultural values can also be harnessed to support sustainability transitions. For example, cultural values relating to community, harmony with nature, and intergenerational equity can provide a basis for promoting sustainable practices.

Question 15

Which of the following are offered by seedbeds to actors wishing to make changes to socio-technical systems?

Accepted Answer

Seedbeds offer actors energy, ideas, and support to make changes to socio-technical systems.

Question 16

What dimension of sustainability is commonly ignored?

Accepted Answer

Political engagement is often overlooked in discussions about sustainability, which typically focus on environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Political action is crucial for creating policies and frameworks that support sustainable practices.

Question 17

Which of the following levels of the MLP is matched with its correct political role?

Accepted Answer

The landscape level in the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) influences the general economic climate, the orientation of innovation, and the ways technologies are deployed.

Question 18

The environmental state is characterized by a government that:

Accepted Answer

The best choice is A because it accurately describes a government's role in actively addressing negative environmental externalities of economic activities. This includes policies such as implementing regulations and incentives for businesses to reduce pollution and promoting sustainability practices. Choice B is incorrect because a government's scope extends beyond solely focusing on environmental issues. Choice C also has some validity but is not comprehensive enough to fully capture a government's role in addressing environmental concerns.

Question 19

What was the major challenge for both Germany and Norway to meet their climate change goals?

Accepted Answer

Both Germany and Norway are known for their significant investments in domestic fossil fuel production, which poses a major challenge for them to transition to renewable energy sources and meet their climate change goals. This dependence on fossil fuels makes it difficult to shift towards cleaner energy options without causing economic and social disruptions.

Question 20

In 2014, Texas was the first major jurisdiction in North America to completely eliminate coal from its supply mix

Accepted Answer

In 2014, Texas did not eliminate coal from its supply mix; it remained a significant source of electricity generation in the state.

Quiz 9: Sustainability in Transition: Bottlenecks and Seedbeds