Question 1

What is new about environmental problems today is
A)that for the first time in history we have environmental problems.
B)the increased rate at which air and water pollution is occurring in the United States.
C)the amount of attention the community now gives them.
D)that environmental problems with pollution and garbage disposal have almost completely disappeared.

Accepted Answer

Environmental problems have always existed, but what is new is the heightened attention and awareness they receive today. With advancements in technology and communication, news of environmental disasters and alarming data about pollution and climate change travels quickly, prompting individuals and communities to take action.

Question 2

Serious environmental problems are
A)unique to industrial economies.
B)unique to Western economies.
C)unique to civilized economies (i.e., those in which people live mainly in cities).
D)None of the above is correct.

Accepted Answer

Environmental problems are not unique to a specific type of economy or society. They exist globally and affect both developed and developing countries.

Question 3

Pollution problems
A)have existed for many centuries.
B)are attributable to modern industrialization.
C)can be blamed on the profit system.
D)have worsened in every respect in the past forty years.

Accepted Answer

Pollution problems have existed for many centuries, as even ancient civilizations had environmental issues with things like deforestation and water contamination. While modern industrialization and the profit system have certainly contributed to the worsening of pollution problems in recent history, they are not the sole cause.

Question 4

The British economist A.C.Pigou
A)wrote The Economics of Welfare in 1911.
B)offered an explanation of the market economy's poor environmental performance.
C)outlined an approach to environmental policy still in favor with economists today.
D)All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

A.C. Pigou wrote The Economics of Welfare in 1911, in which he introduced the concept of externalities and offered an explanation of the market economy's poor environmental performance. He also outlined an approach to environmental policy, known as Pigouvian taxation, which is still in favor with economists today.

Question 5

Many of the new pollutants to which the world has been subjected are
A)less visible.
B)less malodorous.
C)far more dangerous.
D)All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

The statement in the question suggests that the new pollutants are less visible and less malodorous, but far more dangerous. Therefore, all of the answer choices (less visible, less malodorous, and far more dangerous) are correct.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of detrimental externality?
A)A trailer's entry onto an overcrowded road that delays the movement of other vehicles.
B)Fall in demand for gasoline in the US softens the price of gasoline in the global market.
C)Government investment in energy generation from non-conventional sources.
D)Society devotes huge quantity of its scarce resources for vital innovative activity.

Accepted Answer

A trailer's entry onto an overcrowded road that delays the movement of other vehicles is a classic example of a detrimental externality. The action of the trailer driver is causing a negative impact on other road users by creating a traffic jam, leading to delays, fuel wastage, and stress, among other negative effects. The trailer driver is not bearing the costs of his action, leading to a market failure that requires intervention to correct the situation.

Question 7

Since World War II,
A)air pollution has worsened in most U.S.cities.
B)many new pollutants have been introduced or identified.
C)the federal government has reduced its reliance on economic incentives as a means of reducing pollution.
D)All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

Since World War II, many new pollutants have been introduced or identified as a result of industrialization and technological advancements. While efforts have been made to reduce pollution through regulation and technology, air pollution continues to be a significant issue in many areas. The federal government has also continued to use economic incentives, such as tax credits and grants, to encourage pollution reduction efforts. However, the reliance on these incentives may have decreased in recent years as more stringent regulations have been put in place.

Question 8

Between 1980 and 2008 recycling in the United States has
A)decreased by less than 2%.
B)increased by less than 2%.
C)doubled.
D)tripled.

Accepted Answer

Between 1980 and 2008, recycling in the United States tripled, reflecting significant growth in recycling efforts and infrastructure during that period.

Question 9

Recycling in the United States in recent years
A)has decreased in spite of increased rates for common recycling materials.
B)has remained unchanged, and increased raes for recycling may help.
C)has increased with increased rates for recycling mterials.
D)has increased with no help from increased fees for recycling materials.

Accepted Answer

Recycling in the United States has increased with increased rates for common recycling materials. In some areas, recycling programs have expanded to include more types of materials, and there has been a growing awareness of the importance of recycling for the environment. Some cities and states have also introduced laws and incentives to encourage recycling.

Question 10

Environmentalists, politicians, and economists have different perspectives on what constitutes appropriate environmental policy.Which of the following statements was probably made by an economist?
A)"We take the position that there are rights involved here, rights to be protected from threats to your health, regardless of the costs involved." 
B)"Protecting the environment is so important that standards cannot be too high, and continuing improvements must be made regardless of cost." 
C)"Pollution is a moral issue that cannot be reduced to dollars and cents." 
D)"Clean air and water are things we can buy-if the price is right."

Accepted Answer

The statement "Clean air and water are things we can buy-if the price is right" reflects an economic perspective, as it implies that environmental quality can be weighed against cost and potentially traded off.

Question 11

Air quality in most U.S.cities has ____ since World War II.
A)worsened 
B)improved 
C)remained unchanged 
D)improved slightly before a recent deterioration

Accepted Answer

Air quality in most U.S. cities has improved since World War II, due to the implementation of environmental regulations and technological advancements in industries and transportation. However, there have been recent concerns about a slight deterioration in air quality in some areas due to factors such as climate change and weaker enforcement of regulations.

Question 12

There has been a downward trend in the United States since 1980 in the ambient concentrations of
A)sulfur dioxide.
B)carbon monoxide.
C)lead.
D)all of the above.

Accepted Answer

Since 1980, the United States has implemented various environmental policies and regulations to reduce air pollution. As a result, there has been a significant decrease in the ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. Therefore, D is the correct choice as it includes all three air pollutants.

Question 13

The environmental problems of China:
A)were caused by a lack of central planning in the economy.
B)were caused by the burning of low-quality, high-sulfur coal.
C)were caused by a lack of pollution controls.
D)All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

All three options contributed to the environmental problems in China. The lack of central planning in the economy allowed for unchecked industrial growth and increased pollution. The burning of low-quality, high-sulfur coal and the lack of pollution controls led to further environmental degradation. Therefore, all options are correct.

Question 14

China, the last large communist society,
A)has proved that a command economy has far less pollution problems than capitalist economies.
B)has urban smog levels higher than Los Angeles.
C)has the world's most sophisticated pollution-control devices.
D)has lowered its level of pollution dramatically since 1980.

Accepted Answer

China has some of the highest urban smog levels in the world, often exceeding levels in Los Angeles. While they have made some efforts to control pollution, including implementing pollution control devices, they still face significant challenges in reducing their overall pollution levels. A cannot be the answer as China's increasing industrialization has led to severe environmental pollution. C is not accurate as while they have implemented some advanced pollution control devices, they do not have the most sophisticated ones in the world. D is also not accurate as China's pollution levels have continued to be a significant issue, despite some improvements, since 1980.

Question 15

Water quality in the United States has ____ in the past 25 years.
A)improved 
B)worsened 
C)remained unchanged 
D)improved slightly before a recent deterioration

Accepted Answer

Over the past 25 years, various measures indicate that water quality has generally improved in the United States. For example, there has been a decrease in the number of beach closures and advisories due to contamination, and the percentage of the population served by community water systems meeting all applicable health-based standards has increased. However, there are still challenges and areas where water quality needs improvement.

Question 16

The socialist countries of Eastern Europe have
A)fewer environmental problems than capitalist countries.
B)improved their environment more than the capitalist countries.
C)worse environmental problems than capitalist countries.
D)worsened since the collapse of communism there.

Accepted Answer

The socialist countries of Eastern Europe had a poor track record on environmental issues during their time as communist states. They often prioritized industrialization and economic growth over environmental concerns, resulting in significant pollution and destruction of natural resources. Since the collapse of communism in the region, some progress has been made in addressing these issues, but many environmental problems persist. In comparison, capitalist countries have also faced environmental challenges, but there is no evidence to suggest that socialist countries are better at addressing them.

Question 17

In Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union,
A)grave environmental problems plague Eastern Europe.
B)the area suffers from widespread illness and countless premature deaths. 
C)the Aral Sea, once the world's fourth-largest inland sea, is now half its previous size.
D)All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

All three statements are correct. Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union suffer from severe environmental problems, including pollution, deforestation, and soil degradation. The area also experiences widespread illness and premature deaths due to environmental factors. Additionally, the Aral Sea, located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, has seen a significant reduction in size due to human activities such as irrigation and dam construction.

Question 18

Interest in environmental problems has intensified, perhaps because
A)for the first time in history in the 1970s people began to die from pollution-related diseases.
B)rising incomes have caused people to be more concerned with the quality of their lives.
C)the centrally planned economies are polluted.
D)All of the above are true.

Accepted Answer

Rising incomes often lead to increased concern for quality of life, including environmental issues, as basic needs are more easily met.

Question 19

Global warming of the past century, and especially in the past decade, is at least partly a consequence of human activities that have increased ____ in the atmosphere.
A)smog 
B)PCBs 
C)ozone 
D)"greenhouse gases"

Accepted Answer

The term "greenhouse gases" refers to gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased the levels of these gases in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. Smog, PCBs, and ozone are not directly related to global warming, although they can have other negative impacts on the environment and human health.

Question 20

Some of the newer pollutants that have appeared
A)are far more visible to the eye than older pollution.
B)cause damage that is easily reversible.
C)pose no significant long-term hazards.
D)are far more dangerous than older forms of pollution.

Accepted Answer

The question states that these are "newer pollutants" and that they "have appeared," suggesting that they have emerged recently. As a result, it is unlikely that they would be "more visible" since visibility likely decreases over time due to regulations and public awareness. Likewise, any pollutants that cause damage which is "easily reversible" would likely be addressed by current regulations and would not qualify as "newer" pollutants. Finally, the question explicitly states that these pollutants "pose no significant long-term hazards," which rules out choice D. Therefore, the only remaining answer is D, which suggests that the newer pollutants are "far more dangerous" than older pollutants.

Quiz 16: Externalities, the Environment, and Natural Resources

What is new about environmental problems today is

Serious environmental problems are

Pollution problems

The British economist A.C.Pigou

Many of the new pollutants to which the world has been subjected are

Which of the following is an example of detrimental externality?

Since World War II,

Between 1980 and 2008 recycling in the United States has

Recycling in the United States in recent years

Environmentalists, politicians, and economists have different perspectives on what constitutes appropriate environmental policy.Which of the following statements was probably made by an economist?

Air quality in most U.S.cities has ____ since World War II.

There has been a downward trend in the United States since 1980 in the ambient concentrations of

The environmental problems of China:

China, the last large communist society,

Water quality in the United States has ____ in the past 25 years.

The socialist countries of Eastern Europe have

In Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union,

Interest in environmental problems has intensified, perhaps because

Global warming of the past century, and especially in the past decade, is at least partly a consequence of human activities that have increased ____ in the atmosphere.

Some of the newer pollutants that have appeared