Question 1

In April 1998,Canada was one of the first countries to sign the Kyoto Protocol.According to the agreement,Canada committed itself to reach greenhouse gas emission levels six percent lower than its 1990 level by 2012.What result has Canada achieved?

Accepted Answer

Canada's greenhouse gas emission level was nearly 20 percent higher than its Kyoto target. As of 2018, Canada still had not met its target, and its greenhouse gas emissions continued to rise.

Question 2

Bailey was recently employed at a very popular fast-food restaurant and is learning his numerous responsibilities-one of which is removing the full bags from the multistream disposal unit on the restaurant floor.When he asked his manager where he was to put the bags with the recycling material,the manager replied,"Throw it in the back lot dumpster with the rest of the garbage." What is this company engaging in?

Accepted Answer

The manager's response indicates that the company is engaging in corporate greenwashing, where they may claim to be environmentally friendly but have poor environmental practices in reality. In this case, the recycling materials are being thrown in with the rest of the garbage, indicating that the company is not properly recycling or managing waste.

Question 3

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

The approach described is that of sustainable development, which is the idea of balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social well-being. The rebranding of coal as "clean coal" and promoting controlled emissions and green space reclamation aligns with this concept.

Question 4

The closest supermarket is a 40-minute bus ride for Shaniqua,so she either shops at the gas station convenience store two blocks away or purchases take-out food from the fast-food outlet across the street.Where does Shaniqua live?

Accepted Answer

The fact that Shaniqua has to rely on a gas station convenience store and a fast-food outlet suggests that she may live in a food desert, an area where there is limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

Question 5

One leading proponent of ecological balance for human survival maintains that increasing economic growth cannot be maintained,and that downsizing all human activity is necessary in order to let other species survive.Which concept is this perspective in contrast to?

Accepted Answer

This perspective is in contrast to the concept of sustainable development, which seeks to promote economic growth while also ensuring that natural resources are used in a sustainable manner to meet the needs of present and future generations. The perspective outlined in the question argues that economic growth must be downsized in order to prioritize ecological balance and the survival of other species, which is not consistent with sustainable development.

Question 6

David insists that the only way the human race will survive is by stopping the "buzz-saw of progress" in Northern industrial nations and by halting its advance in less-developed countries.Which of the following would David see as being unrealistic?

Accepted Answer

David's perspective suggests a skepticism towards the idea of sustainable development, as it implies a balance between progress and environmental conservation, which he seems to believe is not feasible.

Question 7

Alvin was telling his grandson about the oil crisis of 1973: oil prices quadrupling,continuous line-ups at gas stations,and the Trudeau government beginning the process of creating a national oil company-Petro Canada.What precipitated this chain of events?

Accepted Answer

The oil crisis of 1973 was precipitated by the Yom Kippur War, which was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab states, including OPEC members. In response to the West's support of Israel, OPEC began an oil embargo, which led to a quadrupling of oil prices, long line-ups at gas stations, and a global economic recession. This crisis prompted the Trudeau government to create Petro Canada in an effort to ensure Canada's energy security.

Question 8

What term is used to denote the practice of a business overstating its commitment to environmental responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Greenwashing is the term used to describe the practice of a business overstating its commitment to environmental responsibility. The term refers to the use of misleading or false claims regarding a company's products or practices in order to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. A company can engage in greenwashing by exaggerating the environmental benefits of a product, using vague or meaningless terms like "eco-friendly" or "natural," or making claims that are technically true but irrelevant to the overall environmental impact of the product.

Question 9

For a class presentation Tatiana decided to stage an awards ceremony,honouring the companies that put more time,energy,and money into the promotion of their ecofriendly image than they do at actually being environmentally friendly.What name would she give to the awards?

Accepted Answer

The term "greenwashing" refers to the practice of making misleading or false claims about a product or company's environmental friendliness in order to appear more environmentally responsible than they actually are. Therefore, the most appropriate name for an award ceremony recognizing companies that prioritize eco-promotion over eco-action would be the "corporate greenwashing award."

Question 10

For decades a considerable number of Atlantic coast citizens made their living fishing cod.But in 1992,this way of life came to an abrupt halt.Why?

Accepted Answer

The federal government imposed a moratorium on cod fishing in 1992 due to concerns about overfishing and the decline in the cod population. As a result, many Atlantic coast citizens who relied on cod fishing for their livelihoods were suddenly out of work.

Question 11

According to the text,which of the following ushered in the third wave of environmentalism?

Accepted Answer

The text states that the third wave of environmentalism was ushered in by "global climate change discussion and research."

Question 12

Scott was playing a game of Jeopardy with his friends,and the answer was "a delicate threshold where a slight rise in the Earth's temperature can cause a dramatic change in the environment that triggers a far greater increase in global temperatures." What was the correct question?

Accepted Answer

The answer describes the concept of a tipping point, where a small change can cause a significant impact on the environment and trigger further global temperature increases. Therefore, the correct question is "What is a tipping point?"

Question 13

What term is used to describe the sum of dangerous chemicals that accumulate in an individual over a given period of time?

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the sum of dangerous chemicals that accumulate in an individual over a given period of time is known as the "body burden." This refers to the amount of toxic substances that have been absorbed by the body through various means, such as inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. The body burden can be influenced by factors such as lifestyle, occupation, and environmental exposure, and can have significant impacts on health and well-being.

Question 14

Which of the following exemplifies the polluter pays principle?

Accepted Answer

The polluter pays principle states that the party responsible for producing pollution should pay for the damage done to the natural environment. In this case, the oil company is being held responsible for the cleanup after the spill, which exemplifies the polluter pays principle.

Option B is an example of an eco fee, which is not directly related to the polluter pays principle. 
Option C is a charge for using the landfill site, but it does not necessarily reflect the cost of any pollution caused by the builder. 
Option D is a fine for littering, but it does not reflect the full cost of the pollution caused by Joshua's actions.

Question 15

After reading a newspaper article announcing yet another hike in provincial sales taxes,Adam announces to his wife that it is time to move to a province where the citizens are not continuously being forced to bear the brunt of the increasing costs of social programs.What province would Adam want to move to?

Accepted Answer

Alberta does not have a provincial sales tax, making it an attractive option for someone looking to avoid additional taxes.

Question 16

Sue was researching the phenomenon known as the resource curse for a class assignment.Which of the following would Sue NOT be including in her presentation?

Accepted Answer

Increasing diversification of industry in a resource-rich country would actually suggest that the country is taking steps to avoid the negative effects of the resource curse, which is the opposite of what the phenomenon entails. Therefore, this would not be included in Sue's presentation.

Question 17

Sasha asserted that "Women are inherently better preservationists of Earth because women have traditionally been nurturers and men have been destroyers." What does Sasha's argument exemplify?

Accepted Answer

Sasha's argument exemplifies ecofeminism, which is the belief that there is a connection between the oppression of women and the destruction of nature, and that women are more inclined to protect the environment due to their nurturing role in society.

Question 18

Which statement represents the stance of Canada and the United States in regards to their risk management of chemicals?

Accepted Answer

The stance of Canada and the United States in regards to their risk management of chemicals is that chemicals are innocent until proven guilty. This means that chemicals are assumed to be safe until evidence emerges indicating otherwise. This approach is known as the principle of "precautionary action," which acknowledges that certainty in risk management is impossible, and that a balance needs to be achieved between potential risks and the costs of mitigating them.

Question 19

In the 1970s,several Greenpeace activists boarded small inflatable boats and navigated themselves between a large Russian whaling ship and the hunted whales.Despite the risk of hitting the activists,the whaling ship fired the harpoon cannon.The activists captured this event on film and it was broadcast on many television networks.This media coverage made the Save the Whales movement front-page news for the first time.What was this environmental group doing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the 1970s,several Greenpeace activists boarded small...

Question 20

Rebecca is hurriedly packing up her house because the new owners want to move in before the end of the month.As she is cleaning up the basement,she finds a dozen old,half-filled cans of paint.Although Rebecca regularly recycles,she throws the paint cans into garbage bags rather than taking them to a toxic waste site.Which concept would explain Rebecca's actions?

Accepted Answer

Future discounting explains Rebecca's actions because it involves giving less importance to future consequences compared to immediate convenience or needs. In this case, Rebecca prioritizes the immediate need to clear out the house over the future environmental impact of improperly disposing of paint.

Quiz 17: Sociology and the Environment