Exam 20: A: Challenges to the Global Environment

It takes three barrels of fresh water to produce one barrel of oil from Alberta's tar sands.

The human exemptionalism paradigm argues that human beings are exceptional and therefore exempt from the forces of nature.

Deep ecologists emphasize four fundamental principles,one being that economic,technological,and cultural change is not necessary in population reduction to preserve the natural environment.

Ecosystem diversity refers to the consequences of human activities on the Earth.

While Canadians are recycling more than ever,composting waste is on the decline.

The treadmill of production seeks to counteract the effects of economic expansion on the environment.

The new ecological paradigm emphasizes that human social actions occur within an ecosystem that has its own processes and limits.

Biopiracy occurs when Western companies exploit indigenous areas and express a dominant-submissive relationship.

Environmental sociologists look at the effects of specific environmental issues.

Species diversity refers to the number and variety of habitats for organisms within a geographic area.

All targets required by the Kyoto Protocol for reducing emissions ratified by the Canadian government in 1998 are currently being met.

An ecological modernization theorist would assert that once the demand for environmentally friendly products increases,capitalists will rush to fill this need as an inevitable result of the free market.

With respect to environmental concerns and challenges,the dominant social paradigm in Canada and around the world is based on capitalism.

Environmental sociology is a conscious endeavour to overcome the anthropocentrism of our past.

An advocate of sustainable development would,most likely,be a fierce critic of capitalism.