Deck 16: Sociology and the Environment

Question 1

Who was the author of Silent Spring?

A) Ulrich Beck
B) Club of Rome
C) United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development
D) Rachel Carson

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The Buckminster Fuller Institute sponsored a corporate challenge to "make the world work for 100 percent of humanity" and asked for submissions outlining proposed industry strategies to address environmental concerns. What was the Institute advocating?

A) alternative environmental design
B) modern science system
C) sustainable development
D) conquer nature program

Answer 2

C

Question 3

According to your text, when did environmental issues become prominent?

A) following the publication of Silent Spring
B) after the publication of Our Common Future
C) when the Minister of the Environment drew everyone's attention to air polluting industries
D) following the spread of Dutch elm disease across the country

Answer 3

A

Question 4

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. This perspective is a contrast to which of the following concepts?

A) economic contingency logic
B) risk society thesis
C) sustainable development
D) renewable resources approach

Question 5

While Marcelo was playing at the park, he picked flowers to make a bouquet for his mother. Rather than scold him for removing the flowers from a public garden, she praised his efforts and encouraged him to pick more. Which concept could be utilized to describe this type of behaviour?

A) risk society thesis
B) environmental injustice
C) personal environmental tragedy
D) tragedy of the commons

Question 6

David's course assignment was to investigate the connections between human beings and nature and the impact one has on the other. What class was David enrolled in?

A) alternative environmental studies
B) environmental sociology
C) geophysical sociology
D) organic sociology

Question 7

In a conversation with her friends, Dana was asked to give an example of an environmental tipping point. Which of the following would she offer?

A) Researchers reporting that they had discovered a connection between wind power turbines and hearing loss in humans.
B) Researchers reporting that permafrost in a region of Siberia has started to melt for the first time since it formed 11 000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.
C) Researchers reporting that global warming is responsible for the increase of methane in the atmosphere.
D) Researchers reporting an increasing number of community gardens in urban areas.

Question 8

Wei, an exchange student from China, was called upon to give an example of an externality that she experienced in her homeland. Which of the following would she cite?

A) the decreasing number of persons afflicted with SARS
B) government statistics showing an increasing unemployment rate
C) weather bureau warnings against exercising outdoors
D) the increasing number of postsecondary graduates

Question 9

Which of the following theses predicts that the level of environmental concern in a population follows the levels of prosperity and hardship being experienced by the citizens?

A) economic-contingency thesis
B) globalization thesis
C) broadening-base thesis
D) environmental-diffusion thesis

Question 10

What discovery by scientists in 1985 led to the banning of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 1987?

A) a hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic
B) an unprecedented rise in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere
C) particulate matter levels in the air that exceeded the World Health Organization's guideline levels
D) a causal relationship between lung cancer and chlorofluorocarbons

Question 11

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?

A) energy independence
B) sustainable development
C) zero-sum energy analysis
D) environmental science

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?

A) What is climate change?
B) What is a global crisis?
C) What is a tipping point?
D) What is an environmental hazard?

Question 13

Which of the following accurately represents the level of environmental concern that has been demonstrated by Ontario citizens?

A) It has been growing since the oil crisis of 1973.
B) It has remained stable over the last several decades.
C) It has been decreasing since the environmental movements of the 1980s.
D) It peaked prior to the economic downturns of 1991 and 2007.

Question 14

In 1982, AIDS went from being a rare disease affecting a small, predominantly homosexual, population to a world-wide epidemic. Which term most accurately reflects this phenomenon?

A) tipping point
B) body burden
C) disease crisis
D) epidemiological transition

Question 15

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?

A) the role of environmental politics
B) the concept of renewable natural resources
C) the concept of sustainable development
D) the framing of environmental problems

Question 16

As City X grew, a new source of energy was needed to power the increasing number of factories and homes. A wind farm was built and companies were given subsidies to use solar power. Which of the following concepts includes the logic behind developing wind and solar power rather than using oil or coal?

A) modern urban expansion
B) resource conservation
C) sustainable development
D) environmental conservation

Question 17

Lorraine studied a group of people living at the edge of an expanding swamp. She wanted to know if people's actions were influenced by the swamp and/or if they would work to alter the swamp itself (e.g., draining the land). Which of the following research fields is Lorraine working in?

A) environmental sociology
B) sociology of environmental issues
C) sociology of the everyday
D) behavioural sociology

Question 18

The citizens of Nimbi were actively involved in environmental movements throughout the decade in which the country was recording ever-increasing levels of economic growth. Then a recession hit, and their interest and participation severely declined. What reason could be given to account for this?

A) They were bridging the difference between dominant and alternative environmental outlooks.
B) They realized the wisdom of future discounting.
C) They were following the logic of economic contingency.
D) They considered themselves trapped in a high-carbon society.

Question 19

In a class discussion, William was asked to give a concise definition of externality. Which of the following would he give?

A) the cost of doing business
B) the negative effect of recycling
C) the alternative to internal production runs
D) a private company cost imposed on the public at large

Question 20

Who introduced the idea of sustainable development?

A) Rachel Carson in her book Silent Spring
B) Ulrich Beck in his risk society thesis
C) the Club of Rome report
D) the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development

Question 21

Rebecca is hurriedly packing up her house, since 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 of the following concepts would explain Rebecca's actions?

A) risk-prone behaviour
B) future discounting
C) front-of-the-mind environment rationalization
D) environmental apathy

Question 22

Elizabeth drove a clunker of a car with terrible gas mileage, so she used public transit as often as she could and drove the car only when public transit wasn't an option. After winning a fuel-efficient car in a sweepstakes draw, she stopped purchasing bus passes and drove everywhere she needed and wanted to go. What explains Elizabeth's change of behaviour?

A) an energy conservation attitude
B) the effect known as Jevon's paradox
C) an attempt to reduce her carbon footprint
D) an ecostandards approach

Question 23

What evidence did the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change utilize to support its conclusion that there has been a dramatic rise in greenhouse gas since the time of industrialization?

A) recorded temperatures of the past 150 years
B) scientific models of carbon dioxide emissions
C) carbon dioxide readings taken from tree rings and coral reefs
D) solar flare analyses of the past 150 years

Question 24

According to your text, why do the news media often report on environmental issues and problems?

A) The media are in the business of informing the public.
B) The media need to appease the environmentalists in their audience.
C) The media have to promote a socially responsible position.
D) Environmental news items are often associated with controversy and drama.

Question 25

Which of the following would you find as members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

A) politicians and government employees
B) the elite, aristocracy, and wealthy businessmen
C) concerned citizens from unindustrialized nations
D) naturalists, geologists, and biologists

Question 26

Which of the following was responsible for the establishing of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?

A) United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization
B) United States, China, and various European countries
C) political attendees of the Kyoto Convention
D) environmentally conscious citizens of developed nations

Question 27

Jason loved taking long showers, but his environmentally conscious mom knocked on the bathroom door after 10 minutes, saying that he had used enough water. For a birthday gift, he gave his mom a shower head that uses 50 percent less water. Since then, both he and his mom take half-hour showers. What explains the change of attitude of Jason's mom?

A) a reframing of environmental issues
B) an energy conservation attitude
C) the effect known as Jevon's paradox
D) an ecostandards approach

Question 28

Which of the following theses predicts that the broadening of environmental concerns depends on the prevailing economic conditions?

A) globalization of economics hypothesis
B) broadening-base hypothesis
C) environmental-diffusion hypothesis
D) economic-contingency hypothesis

Question 29

According to your text, which of the following plays a substantial role in influencing the environmental attitudes and behaviours of people?

A) scientific reports
B) popular films
C) environmental journals
D) educational programs

Question 30

Who comprises the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?

A) scientists interpreting climate studies
B) oil industrialists seeking to create doubt
C) new middle-class environmentalists
D) signatory countries of the Kyoto Protocol

Question 31

Who was the sociologist who developed the risk society thesis?

A) Anthony Giddens
B) Ulrich Beck
C) Robert Bullard
D) Erving Goffman

Question 32

Which of the following represents the largest contributor to climate change?

A) the melting of the polar icecaps
B) fossil fuel-intensive industries
C) citizens of unindustrialized countries
D) changing ocean currents and increased solar activity

Question 33

Which of the following would you find involved in the operations of the Global Climate Coalition?

A) politicians and government employees
B) the new middle-class environmentalists
C) Shell Oil, General Motors, and Ford
D) naturalists, geologists, and biologists

Question 34

In class, Jim was asked to give a clear and concise explanation of Jevon's paradox. Which of the following would he use?

A) issues that are intangible and less visible are not immediately thought of
B) answering the question "What's going on here?"
C) choosing less now, rather than more later
D) more efficiency leads to more consumption

Question 35

According to your text, what can be said about the phenomenon of climate change?

A) It is a scientifically established truth.
B) It is a popular truth as established through the mass media.
C) It is an indisputable truth.
D) It is a truth that is reflected in people's environmental attitudes and behaviours.

Question 36

Modern environmental groups tend to be dominated by which group of citizens?

A) those with lower levels of education
B) those from the new middle class
C) those with a conservative political stance
D) those living in rural areas

Question 37

Which of the following expend great energy to discredit scientific research on climate change?

A) developing nations that want to be industrialized
B) industries that provide alternative sources of energy
C) government officials who do not want to pass environmental legislation
D) fossil fuel-intensive industries

Question 38

Harold is an environmentally conscious individual, and every December would keep his exterior Christmas lights to a minimum. This year he found a half-price sale on outdoor high-efficiency LED Christmas lights, purchased 20 packages and decorated every tree and shrub in his yard. What has impacted Harold's behaviour?

A) corporate sales and greenwashing
B) the reframing of environmental issues
C) the effect known as Jevon's paradox
D) the front-of-the-mind issue of trying to out-decorate his neighbours

Question 39

Dana's grandparents were highly involved in the nature-oriented environmental movement and often told stories of their activities in the "Save the Whales" campaign of the 1970s. According to your text, what could be said about Dana's grandparents?

A) They were from the new middle class.
B) They were from an affluent class.
C) They were business owners.
D) They were farmers in a rural setting.

Question 40

Marcus drives his family crazy-going around and turning off lights, lecturing his brother on recycling, and instructing his mother on how to use less water and hydro when doing laundry. But when he is with his friends, Marcus discusses his ongoing purchases of computer monitors, keyboards, and the 54-inch LED television that replaces his 42-inch LCD purchase of last year. What is Marcus demonstrating?

A) a command and control approach to environmental issues and problems
B) a different framing of environmental issues and problems
C) an environmentally friendly attitude and approach
D) the consequences of the resource curse

Question 41

In a discussion of environmentally responsible countries, Allison asserted that Canada was definitely not one. What would she utilize to support her argument?

A) a chart reporting Canada's percent of global CO2 emissions
B) the increasing number of Environment Canada inspections
C) the decrease in the number of environmental activists
D) an Index of Irresponsibility calculation

Question 42

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

A) war between Israel and oil-producing Arab states
B) declining supplies in Alberta's oil fields
C) Canadian oil companies price fixing and price gouging
D) public panic and reaction to the Club of Rome report

Question 43

Which of the following has the lowest royalty rate on industry oil revenue?

A) Alberta
B) California
C) Nigeria
D) Venezuela

Question 44

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. According to your text, what was this environmental group doing?

A) providing on-the-scene reporting
B) fighting a losing battle
C) staging a morality play
D) creating a high-profile event

Question 45

Sam works for a major oil company and in a discussion with a friend stated that it was time to make a career switch to the natural gas industry. When asked why, he explained that the stores of natural gas are estimated to be approximately 4,000 trillion cubic feet whereas no major crude oil discoveries have been made in decades. What was Sam saying?

A) Peak oil production has been reached.
B) The future of energy follows the logic of economic contingency.
C) Environmentally conscious consumers are looking for cleaner fuel alternatives.
D) Natural gas represents a sociological tipping point.

Question 46

Extracting oil from the Alberta tar sands is a very difficult technical process. What is a consequence of this reality?

A) Tar sands oil extraction is being halted in favour of normal oil extraction.
B) Tar sand oil-extracting companies are working on new and easier extraction methods.
C) Tar sands oil generates twice the greenhouse gas emissions of normal oil extraction.
D) Tar sands oil generates three times the greenhouse gas emissions of normal oil extraction.

Question 47

Lyn grew up in a fishing town in Newfoundland with her father and brothers working long hours in the fish-canning factory. She moved with her family to Alberta in 1993, in order for her father and brothers to find work. What would explain this cross-country move?

A) The fish-canning factories were closing down as a result of a government moratorium.
B) The fish-canning industry moved all work offshore to developing countries with lower wage costs.
C) The fish-canning industry was facing a huge increase in corporate tax rates, so smaller factories closed.
D) All the fish-canning factories were losing money due to low market demand, so they closed.

Question 48

What is the current rate of oil consumption?

A) two barrels of oil for every new barrel discovered
B) three barrels of oil for every new barrel discovered
C) four barrels of oil for every new barrel discovered
D) five barrels of oil for every new barrel discovered

Question 49

The Conservation Council of New Brunswick invites a leading environmentalist to speak at its annual general meeting, and he tells the audience that the planet is rapidly approaching the time beyond which the global ecosystem will not be able to sustain life. Which of the following terms best characterizes this moment in time?

A) point of no return
B) doomsday clock
C) ecological limit
D) tipping point

Question 50

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?

A) Newfoundland
B) British Columbia
C) Quebec
D) Alberta

Question 51

Phanat was telling his classmates about scientists finding a region in Siberia where a million square kilometres of permafrost was melting. This was followed with his assertion that runaway global warming and worldwide social, economic, and environmental devastation was imminent. What was Phanat arguing?

A) that the Earth's environmental system had reached a tipping point
B) an apocalyptic environmental perspective
C) a nonrenewable resource position
D) the perspective of a risk society theorist

Question 52

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?

A) The market demand for cod had dwindled to the point where it was no longer a profitable business.
B) Advanced technologies used in cod fishing endeavours had become too expensive.
C) The federal government imposed a moratorium on cod fishing.
D) The vast majority of younger residents left in order to make higher wages in the Alberta oil industry.

Question 53

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?

A) a discussion of corruption in the higher echelons of government
B) a news report of decreasing democratic governmental policies
C) a documentary of the increasing poverty in the resource-rich country
D) a news article reporting increasing diversification of industry in the resource-rich country

Question 54

In his economics class, Judson learned that countries that are rich in resources have slower-growing economies and greater inequality than countries that are resource poor. What term is used to describe this phenomenon?

A) political dysfunction
B) resource curse
C) environmental injustice
D) resource contingency

Question 55

Josie learned that a development company would be cutting down an old-growth rain forest in the interior of British Columbia. She organized a number of people to join her protest, and on the day scheduled for the industrial clear-cut, they tied themselves to the trees. Josie also ensured that the media was present to record their protest. What were Josie and her fellow protestors doing?

A) creating a high-profile event
B) fighting a losing battle
C) staging a morality play
D) halting progress

Question 56

Brian learned that an international logging company was going to be clear cutting an old growth forest of Douglas firs in Cathedral Grove. He and other members of the "Friends of the Grove" group organized a "Crime Against Nature" protest, scheduling it for the day the loggers were to start work and issuing a press release. The day of the protest, representatives from four major news outlets showed up. Why?

A) because it was a slow news day
B) because environmental issues are associated with controversy and dramatic moments
C) because the media has a mandate to cover human interest stories
D) because it was an international rather than domestic logging company

Question 57

When growing up, Randy was always being told to turn off the lights when he left the room and he copied this practice with his own children. Then Randy and Sharon and their kids moved into their custom designed home, replete with recessed energy-efficient LED lighting throughout. After a few months, turning off the lights in unoccupied rooms was no longer a family practice. Which of the following concepts would best explain this change of attitude and behaviour?

A) future discounting
B) Jevon's paradox
C) competing claims
D) economic contingency

Question 58

Tania's course outline asserts that students will be exploring the development and implementation of environmental policies and discussing the interactions of government with industry and consumers while addressing environmental issues. What class is Tania enrolled in?

A) lobby groups-policy and practice
B) environmental governance
C) economic environmentalism
D) resource curse in resource-poor countries

Question 59

Jeremy asked Ahmad, an international student from Saudi Arabia, what it was like to grow up in a rich country with the largest crude oil reserves in the world. Ahmad explained that his fellow citizens were being impoverished-their per capita income was almost $30,000 in the early 1980s and was currently less than $7,000. Which of the following would explain this phenomenon?

A) diminishing economic returns
B) declining crude oil prices
C) resource curse
D) the switch to environmentally friendly energy

Question 60

According to the risk society thesis of Ulrich Beck, what were the developing welfare states of the Western world preoccupied with prior to World War II?

A) recovering from the devastation of World War I
B) the distribution of social goods
C) military expansion and weaponry required for World War II
D) industry-produced environmental risks and externalities

Question 61

What precipitated the first wave of the modern environmental movement?

A) the emergence of the federal Green Party
B) the issue of global climate change
C) the publication of Silent Spring
D) the extensive impact of industrialization on forests

Question 62

The recognition that people in subordinate positions are exposed to more and greater environmental risk factors than are experienced by people occupying dominant positions was the impetus for which of the following?

A) full-stomach environmentalist movement
B) risk management movement
C) environmental justice movement
D) environmental inequality movement

Question 63

Olivia and Serena were preparing a presentation to give to city hall officials regarding several environmental issues that needed addressing in their city. They realized that they would be taken more seriously if they showed up with a signed petition and a large number of supporters. Which of the following groups should they target in order to achieve the greatest number of individuals to help them in their environmental campaign?

A) people working in the service sector
B) people working in manufacturing
C) people who are newly landed immigrants
D) people who are on social assistance

Question 64

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

A) toxicity level
B) body burden
C) environmental chemical levels
D) contamination toxicology

Question 65

According to your text, which of the following is true in reference to the early emergence of the environmental movement?

A) It was initiated by Third World countries most affected by pollution.
B) It was largely a creation of the upper middle class.
C) It was initiated by government to promote sustainable development.
D) It was a working-class initiative because it was their issue.

Question 66

Why was Agent Orange (a cancer-causing chemical) sprayed in areas of Northern Ontario in the mid-1960s?

A) to kill spruce trees
B) to stop the spread of Dutch elm disease
C) to kill birch, maple, and poplar trees
D) to eradicate the pine bark beetle population

Question 67

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?

A) social responsibility award
B) corporate greenwashing award
C) ecostandard award
D) environmental whitewashing award

Question 68

Which of the following is NOT one of the countries that strongly opposed the imposition of regulations to limit the greenhouse gas emissions of domestic industries?

A) Canada
B) United Kingdom
C) United States
D) Saudi Arabia

Question 69

What characterizes the second wave of environmentalism?

A) It addressed the issue of acid rain.
B) It saw the emergence of the federal Green Party.
C) It focused on environmental threats to human health.
D) Its primary focus was addressing global climate change.

Question 70

What is another name for the cap-and-trade system for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

A) ecofriendly fees
B) marketable pollution permits
C) environmental licensing
D) the polluter pays tax

Question 71

What environmental issue was the focus of the third wave of environmentalism?

A) global climate change
B) acid rain
C) the use of chemical fertilizer in agriculture
D) the preservation of natural wilderness areas

Question 72

Which country was the first in the world to ban bisphenol A from baby bottles?

A) United States
B) Canada
C) Sweden
D) Australia

Question 73

After watching a pre-election political debate, Wayne commented to Wendy that he was amazed at the amount of time used by the major parties to discuss their position on environmental issues. Wendy said there was a really good explanation for that. Which of the following would she offer?

A) because of the Kyoto Accord
B) because of the growing magnitude of environmental issues
C) because of the increasing number of diseases associated with environmental hazards
D) because of the existence of the Green Party and the major parties' fear that they would lose votes

Question 74

In more recent times, environmentalists have been drawn from which groups of people?

A) They are the new middle class: teachers, social workers, artists, and cultural specialists.
B) Today, environmentalists are increasingly found among new immigrants to our society.
C) Overwhelmingly, environmentalists are capitalists interested in sustainable development.
D) Membership continues to come from mainly upper middle class backgrounds.

Question 75

Which of the following exemplifies the polluter pays principle?

A) an oil company being required to pay $125 million to the federal government to clean up after a spill of 300,000 barrels of crude oil
B) Sandra paying a $12 eco fee when she purchases her new laptop
C) a builder being charged $100 at the landfill site to dispose of extraneous building material
D) Joshua being fined $55 for throwing his fast-food garbage out the car window

Question 76

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

A) Chemicals are guilty until proven innocent.
B) Chemicals are innocent until proven guilty.
C) The innocence of chemicals is established after a long period of extensive testing.
D) Every chemical is subjected to rigorous testing to establish causality relationships.

Question 77

Sasha just learned that a new factory is going to be built near a local river. She is concerned, not only for the fish, but for the birds and animals that feed and drink from the water. She is forming a "Save the River Community" lobby group. According to your text, where should she NOT expect to find members?

A) the new middle class
B) young business professionals
C) the public sector
D) educational professionals

Question 78

In 1988, the federal government passed the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to address the assessment and management of chemical substances in the environment. This act was then revised in 1999. Why?

A) because of the need to increase the mandatory penalties for failing to comply.
B) because the government needed to add more hazardous chemical substances to the list.
C) because of the need to meet Kyoto emission targets.
D) because of consistent lobbying efforts by industry.

Question 79

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 6 percent lower than its 1990 level by 2012. What result has Canada achieved?

A) Canada met its greenhouse gas emission target in 2006.
B) Canada's greenhouse gas emission levels have increased over 25 percent.
C) Canada's greenhouse gas emission levels have remained relatively constant over the past two decades.
D) Canada's greenhouse gas emission levels have increased by approximately 15 percent.

Question 80

Which of the following has been documented by epidemiological studies conducted on the Aamjiwnaang First Nations Reserve in Chemical Valley?

A) a statistically significant lower number of boys than girls have been born
B) a statistically significant lower number of girls than boys have been born
C) breastfeeding mothers have extreme levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) in their breast milk
D) residents show a high level of radioactive contamination