Deck 24: Tomorrows Word

Question 1

Why is the environment's ability to meet present and future needs directly related to technology and social organization?
I. Environmental impacts depend on population density
II. Affluence determines people's level of consumption, and hence, their environmental impact
III. Modern technological advances have made it possible for humans to significantly alter planetary systems

A) I
B) II
C) III
D) I, II, and III
E) II and III

Answer 1

I, II, and III

Question 2

What is living sustainably and how does it relate to the analogy of "living off the interest instead of living off the principal "? What changes are needed to approach this ideal?

Answer 2

If the world's resources were considered a bank account, then living off the interest instead of having to tap into the principal would be considered living sustainably. Environmental sustainability is the ability to meet humanity's current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This means keeping the principal intact. To approach this ideal, natural resources are not overused, excessive pollution is not generated and economic growth is balanced with environmental conservation.

Question 3

Globally, where do most malnourished people live?

A) Rural areas
B) Urban areas
C) Islands
D) In the northern hemisphere
E) In areas of high rainfall

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of terms below is defined as "The ability to meet humanity's current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs?"

A) Environmental sustainability
B) Limited development
C) Carrying capacity
D) Per capita GNI PPP
E) Peak Oil

Question 5

How does the concept of Sustainable Development differ from that of Environmental Sustainability?

A) It focuses on meeting the current needs of humanity, without compromising the future needs of humanity
B) It is concerned about not over-using natural resources
C) It has a more direct focus on improving peoples' lives
D) It does not consider future generations

Question 6

Which of the following factors determine whether or not consumption is sustainable?

A) Population
B) Economic activities
C) Technology choices
D) Social values
E) All of these choices are correct

Question 7

All of the following are likely candidates to be incorporated into a comprehensive energy plan to stabilize the global climate EXCEPT:

A) Nuclear power
B) Carbon sequestration
C) Energy conservation
D) Increased use of fossil fuels as developing nations like China grow economically
E) Reducing use of fossil fuels in highly developed nations

Question 8

Fill in the two blanks in the following statement: According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average global temperature increased by ____ in the last 100 years, with more than half of that warming occurring in the last _____ years.

A) 1° C; 10
B) 1° C; 30
C) 2° C; 10
D) 2° C; 30.
E) 3° C; 30

Question 9

Which of the following is a true statement regarding the level of wealth in highly developed nations?
I. It has created the wealthiest group of people that has ever lived
II. Less than 5% of the world's people control approximately 25% of the world's economy
III. The wealthiest nations depend on many other nations for their level of prosperity

A) I
B) II
C) III
D) I and II
E) I, II, and III

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service provided by forests?

A) Raw material for clothes
B) Biomass for energy production
C) Climate regulation
D) Medicinal chemicals
E) Building materials

Question 11

What factor(s) ultimately determine the carrying capacity of a given ecosystem?

A) The technological development of the organisms living there
B) The number of people living there
C) How long organisms have existed there
D) Its ability to absorb wastes and renew itself
E) All of these choices are correct

Question 12

Which of the following is a true statement regarding resource consumption in highly developed countries?

A) It is similar to that in developing countries
B) It will not play a role in determining the earth's carrying capacity
C) It must be reduced in order to achieve environmental sustainability
D) It has been gradually decreasing
E) It is not generally linked to levels of affluence

Question 13

An important lesson that applies to many of the environmental issues discussed in this course is that:

A) Almost all environmental problems have identifiable solutions
B) People in one part of the world are unaffected by the environmental choices made in other parts
C) Those of us who live in highly developed nations are at the core of the environmental problems facing the world today
D) Taking a "wait-and-see" approach is an effective way to deal with environmental problems
E) Developing nations use the majority of the world's resources

Question 14

Identify and explain at least three distinct reasons why more scientists and engineers are needed in developing countries. What steps are needed in order to make this a possibility?

Question 15

Approximately what percentage of the original area of tropical rain forests remains intact?

A) Slightly less than one quarter
B) Slightly less than one third
C) Slightly less than half
D) Slightly less than two thirds
E) Slightly less than three quarters

Question 16

How does environmental diplomacy differ from diplomacy concerning other issues?

A) It requires that policy decisions be made on an international level
B) It involves issues critical to the survival of millions of people
C) It will require a clear policy statement
D) It will require good mediators
E) It has an extremely long history

Question 17

What role(s) do poverty and the standard of living play in addressing environmental problems on a global level? What actions will need to be taken to begin to address these critical issues?

Question 18

Which of the following is necessary to help raise the standard of living for the poorest segments of the population?

A) Education of children and reduction of illiteracy
B) Increasing the number of trained professionals in highly developed nations
C) Increasing the flow of money from developing to highly developed nations
D) Maintain the current status of women in most developing nations
E) All of these statements are correct

Question 19

Which of the following is a true statement about sustainable consumption?

A) It is generally not affected by economic activities
B) If we do not voluntarily adopt it now, we may be forced into it in the future due to environmental degradation of the world and its resources
C) It does not require knowledge of resource levels
D) It is generally unaffected by social values
E) It will not require clear government plans

Question 20

"The poor stay poor, not because they're lazy but because they have no access to capital." This statement provides the philosophical basis for which development strategy?

A) Establishment of the United Nations Children's Fund
B) Establishment of Microcredit programs
C) Reversing the flow of global funds so that is moves from highly developed to developing countries
D) Increasing the number of trained professionals in developing nations
E) Raising the status of women in developing nations

Question 21

What should you do to improve the global environment? What can you do to improve the global environment? What will you do to improve the global environment? Be honest!

Question 22

The chemical composition of the earth's atmosphere is currently changing, as carbon captured by plants hundreds of millions of years ago is being released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels. From a systems perspective, what are the implications of this increased level of carbon dioxide for terrestrial plants, and to corals?

Question 23

What is "Environmental Diplomacy," and why is it likely to play a large role in resolving many of our environmental problems? Provide an example of an environmental problem and the role Environmental Diplomacy could play in its solution.

Question 24

Why must your generation become the next environmental pioneers to advocate for an environmental revolution that will support sustainable conditions for human existence? What steps could be taken in the arenas of politics, economics, and social change to fuel the revolution? Is "doing nothing" an option?

Question 25

Suppose that you have just started a summer internship working for the United Nations. Discuss two important sustainable development goals that might be addressed most effectively at this international level.

Question 26

Identify and discuss the measures that we will need to implement in order for the human population to stay within the Earth's carrying capacity for our species.

Question 27

Describe the role of education in changing individual values, attitudes, and practices toward a healthier global environment.

Question 28

In his second inaugural address in 1937, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." Describe the disparity in the standards of living experienced in different parts of the world today. What score would you give the U.S. on Roosevelt's "test of our progress?"

Question 29

In what way would improving the status of women in developing countries have a positive impact on achieving sustainable development?

Question 30

What does it mean to manage a resource sustainably? What evidence exists that humans are not currently managing resources in a sustainable manner?

Question 31

Why is it important for communities to take responsibility for their own (local) environments if our goal is to improve the global environment? Provide an example to support your answer.

Question 32

We often speak of throwing garbage away. Is there an "away?" Explain your answer.

Question 33

What is the relationship between biological diversity and cultural diversity? Include in your answer definition of terms and a rationale for why both notions need preservation.