Question 1

Which statement is TRUE of environmental science?

Accepted Answer

Environmental science studies both the natural world and human interactions with it. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines knowledge from natural sciences like ecology and geology with social sciences like sociology and economics.

Answer: E
 Environmental science concerns itself with the state and fate of the Earth, and may often consider future environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and habitat destruction.

Question 2

What is environmental science,and what fields of study does it rely on?

Accepted Answer

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field of research that draws on the natural (for example,ecology)and social sciences (for example,anthropology)as well as the humanities (for example,literature)in order to understand the natural world and our relationship to it.

Question 3

Which statement is NOT an example of self-inflicted environmental damage done by the Greenland Vikings?

Accepted Answer

The climate cooling is not a self-inflicted action by the Greenland Vikings; it was a natural environmental change.

Question 4

What is environmental literacy? Why is it important for individuals to have a strong understanding of environmental literacy when discussing environmental problems caused by humans?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is environmental literacy? Why is it...

Question 5

What did mud cores from lake beds around Viking settlements tell scientists?

Accepted Answer

Mud cores from lake beds indicated significant soil erosion, suggesting environmental challenges faced by Viking settlements.

Question 6

What does it mean when an environmental issue is a "wicked problem"?

Accepted Answer

A wicked problem is a complex problem that has no clear solution, and involves multiple stakeholders with differing viewpoints and conflicting interests. This means that any proposed solution is likely to involve trade-offs which not everyone will be satisfied with.

Question 7

An example of applied science is:

Accepted Answer

Designing a solar panel for increased efficiency involves applying scientific principles and knowledge to develop a practical solution or technology that can be used in the real world. This is a clear example of applied science.

Question 8

What is empirical science?

Accepted Answer

Empirical science is a scientific approach that involves observation and experimentation to gather data and test hypotheses. It relies on the scientific method to develop and refine theories about the natural world.

Question 9

Which example does NOT describe an environment?

Accepted Answer

All of these choices describe an environment because an environment encompasses any location or medium where organisms live, grow, and interact, including natural settings like streams and forests, as well as living organisms and man-made habitats.

Question 10

What does an environment include?

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Which example illustrates an empirical study?

Accepted Answer

Empirical studies involve collecting and analyzing data to understand relationships or impacts. Producing models of the impact of various greenhouse gas concentrations on global temperature involves analyzing data about greenhouse gases and their effects on climate, making it an empirical study.

Question 12

Why are nonliving things included in the definition of an environment?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Potential trade-offs to reforestation efforts do NOT include:

Accepted Answer

All the options listed (high cost, water shortages, fragmentation of habitats, less land for agriculture) are indeed potential trade-offs or negative consequences associated with reforestation efforts. Reforestation can require significant financial investment, may use large amounts of water, could potentially lead to habitat fragmentation if not planned properly, and might reduce the amount of land available for agricultural purposes.

Question 14

What evidence did scientists use in Greenland to study atmospheric conditions at the time of the Viking settlements?

Accepted Answer

Scientists used air bubbles trapped in ice cores to study atmospheric conditions at the time of the Viking settlements in Greenland. This method allows for the analysis of gases and isotopes in the air, which can provide information on temperature, precipitation, and other factors that affect the climate.

Question 15

Which example illustrates a consequence of climate change?

Accepted Answer

Sea level rise is a consequence of climate change as the warming of the planet causes the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, leading to a rise in sea levels. This can have serious implications for low-lying areas and island nations, leading to flooding and displacement of populations. The other options listed (deforestation, overconsumption, irrigation, and burning fossil fuels) are all contributing factors to climate change, but do not directly illustrate a consequence of it.

Question 16

Which would likely come first when studying an environmental issue: an applied science study or an empirical science study? Why?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

Due to their complexity,any given response to an environmental problem involves significant _____,and no one response is likely to present the ultimate solution.

Accepted Answer

Trade-offs refer to the act of giving up one thing to gain another. In the case of environmental problems, there are often multiple solutions or approaches that may address the problem, but each one comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. There is no "ultimate solution" that can completely solve the problem, and different stakeholders may prioritize different aspects of the problem differently. Therefore, finding the best course of action involves weighing the trade-offs between various options.

Question 18

Which factors make up the triple bottom line?

Accepted Answer

The triple bottom line consists of social (human), economic, and environmental factors. Option C is the only one which includes these three factors. Option A is incorrect as it includes "solar" instead of economic. Option B is also incorrect as it includes "international" and "national" instead of social and environmental. Option D is incorrect as it includes "agricultural" and "financial" which are not standard components of the triple bottom line. Option E is also incorrect as it includes "solar energy, water, and air" which are all solely environmental factors.

Question 19

Environmental science does NOT rely or draw on:

Accepted Answer

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates natural sciences, applied sciences, social sciences, and humanities to understand and address environmental issues.

Question 20

Which phrase BEST describes the term environment?

Accepted Answer

The term environment encompasses both the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) surroundings in which an organism exists. It includes factors such as temperature, light, water, soil, air, other organisms, and physical features of a habitat.

Quiz 1: environmental Literacy and Sustainability Lessons From a Vanished Society