Question 1

The biggest environmental issue facing the human race is sustainability.

Accepted Answer

Sustainability is the biggest environmental issue facing the human race as our current practices are depleting natural resources and causing ecological damage. To ensure the survival of future generations, it is essential that we transition towards sustainable practices and reduce our impact on the environment.

Question 2

When defining environmental risks, scientists must primarily consider which of the following components?

Accepted Answer

Scientists must consider both the probability of an event occurring and the scale of the consequences if the event were to occur. This is important for accurately assessing and managing environmental risks. The other options do not adequately capture the key components that must be considered when defining environmental risks.

Question 3

This type of dating uses radioactive elements and their decay products to determine an absolute age for an earth material.

Accepted Answer

Radiometric dating uses the decay of radioactive elements to determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils. It is based on the principle that certain isotopes are unstable and decay over time at a known rate, allowing scientists to calculate the age of the sample based on the amount of remaining isotopes.

Question 4

A scientific law describes the relationship between several different hypotheses.

Accepted Answer

A scientific law is a statement that describes a natural phenomenon that is always observed to occur in a consistent way. It does not necessarily relate several different hypotheses, but instead summarizes observed patterns in nature. Hypotheses are used to form explanations for these patterns, but a scientific law is a statement of fact, not an explanation.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding the Earth system?

Accepted Answer

The statement that humans are not capable of affecting the Earth system is not true. In fact, human activities have a significant impact on the Earth system.

Question 6

Which of the following measures do environmentalists suggest may be necessary in order for humans to live in a sustainable manner?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed are necessary in order for humans to live in a sustainable manner. Stabilizing the population is important to prevent overexploitation of resources. Conserving resources and reducing per capita consumption help ensure that resources are used efficiently and not wasted. Developing renewable energy resources helps reduce dependence on finite, non-renewable resources.

Question 7

Which term refers to a scientific explanation of data that can be tested in such a way that shows it to be false?

Accepted Answer

The term that refers to a scientific explanation of data that can be tested in such a way that shows it to be false is a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested through experimentation and observation. If the hypothesis is shown to be false through testing, it can be rejected or modified.

Question 8

The tragedy of the commons is an important concept related to environmental degradation and human behavior. Which of the following best describes this concept?

Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons is the idea that when individuals act in their own self-interest, they may end up depleting a shared resource, like a fishery or grazing land, to the point that it can no longer support the community that relies on it. This concept highlights the importance of considering the long-term impact of individual actions on the health of the environment and society as a whole.

Question 9

How does the ecological footprint for people living in developed (industrialized) nations compare to that of people living in still developing nations?

Accepted Answer

People living in developed nations typically have a higher standard of living and consume more goods and resources than those living in developing nations, leading to a greater ecological footprint.

Question 10

Which term is used to describe the amount of biologically productive land/sea area necessary to support the lifestyle of an individual?

Accepted Answer

Ecological Footprint is the term used to describe the amount of biologically productive land/sea area necessary to support the lifestyle of an individual. It takes into account the consumption of food, water, energy, and other resources, as well as the amount of waste and pollution produced.

Question 11

Which trend best describes human population growth?

Accepted Answer

Human population growth follows an exponential trend, meaning that the rate of increase in population is accelerating over time as the population grows larger. This is due to factors such as increased technological advancements, improved healthcare, and higher birth rates.

Question 12

Almost all of the environmental problems discussed in class were ultimately tied to one factor. Which of the following is the root cause of most of our problems?

Accepted Answer

Human population growth is driving the increase in consumption of resources and production of waste, which ultimately leads to air and water pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. All of the other options listed are either direct results or contributors to environmental problems caused by the growing human population.

Question 13

As one of many species living on Earth, humans are very limited in their ability to impact the environment.

Accepted Answer

Humans have a significant impact on the environment due to their activities such as deforestation, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. These activities have resulted in climate change, biodiversity loss, and other environmental problems that affect not only humans but also other species and ecosystems. Therefore, humans are not limited in their ability to impact the environment.

Question 14

Which of the following in NOT an attribute of a good scientific explanation?

Accepted Answer

Sustainability is not necessarily an attribute of a good scientific explanation, as the viability or practicality of a scientific explanation is not a defining factor in its quality. The other answer choices are important attributes of a good scientific explanation.

Question 15

Which of the following refers to the process by which the physical world is examined in a logical manner?

Accepted Answer

The scientific method involves using logic and data to form hypotheses and theories about the physical world. It is a systematic approach to understanding the natural world through observation and experimentation.

Question 16

About how many years old is the Earth as shown by science?

Accepted Answer

The most widely accepted scientific estimate for the age of the Earth is about 4.6 billion years. This estimate is based on radiometric dating of rocks and minerals from the Earth's crust and the moon, as well as modeling of the formation and evolution of the solar system.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT true of incremental processes?

Accepted Answer

Incremental processes are characterized by gradual, continuous changes rather than random, discrete events.

Question 18

Which of the following terms refers to the use of resources in such a way that future generations will have a fair share and inherit a quality environment?

Accepted Answer

Sustainability refers to the use of resources in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This includes the preservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of a clean and healthy environment. Renewability refers to the ability of resources to be replenished naturally over time, which is a key aspect of sustainability but not a comprehensive definition. Catastrophism refers to the theory that geological features are formed by catastrophic events, and environmentalism refers to a broad social and political movement focused on protecting the environment.

Question 19

How was the geologic time scale developed?

Accepted Answer

The geologic time scale was developed by correlating exposed rock sections from around the world, allowing scientists to understand the sequence and relative timing of events in Earth's history.

Question 20

Which of the following are potentially limiting factors associated with food production and distribution?

Accepted Answer

All of the listed factors can potentially limit food production and distribution. A lack of access to water, minerals, and energy resources can all impact crop yield and the ability to distribute food. Topsoil erosion can also affect crop growth and sustainability.

Quiz 1: Humans and the Geologic Environment