What term describes the deceptive practice of making a product or company seem more environmentally friendly than it actually is?
Greenwashing
How does wind energy reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Wind turbines generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, unlike fossil fuel-based power plants
How does pollution contribute to biodiversity loss?
Pollution can contaminate water bodies, soil, and air, harming species and their habitats
Where is COP28 being held?
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Why is physics beautiful?
Because Ajarn Craig said so! (Or else you get a 100-page essay)
Name an example of a well-known eco-label that indicates a product is organic.
The USDA Organic label
Name two main greenhouse gases responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)
What is habitat loss, and how does it impact biodiversity?
Habitat loss is the destruction of natural habitats, leading to the loss of species and reduced biodiversity
What significant environmental event was recorded on the 4th of July this year?
The hottest average global temperature ever recorded (17.18 degrees Celsius)
Describe Newton's three laws of motion without Googling!
1) An object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue moving with a constant velocity unless acted upon.
2) The rate of change of momentum of an object is directly proportional to the force applied to it (F=ma).
3) For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
What are some red flags for potential greenwashing?
Exaggerated claims, lack of evidence, and vague language
What is climate adaptation?
Adjusting societal and environmental systems to cope with the changing climate and its impacts
What are protected areas, and why are they important?
Designated regions where human activity is limited to protect the natural habitat and species within
What happened to the SpaceX Starship rocket?
It self-destructed over the Gulf of Mexico after veering off course.
What is the equation to calculate the force applied to an object, given its mass and acceleration?
F = ma
How can asking about a product's manufacturing process reveal greenwashing?
It helps determine if the product's claim is genuine or just a small part of a larger unsustainable process.
What is the significance of the term "tipping point" in the context of climate change?
It refers to the point beyond which certain impacts of climate change become irreversible and potentially catastrophic
Explain the term "invasive species" and its impact on native biodiversity.
Non-native species that outcompete native species, often leading to native species decline and ecosystem disruption
How is the James Webb different from the Hubble telescope?
The Hubble Space Telescope: Observes in ultraviolet, and near-infrared wavelengths, lower light-gathering power, etc.
James Webb: The James Webb Space Telescope observes infrared wavelengths, higher light-gathering power, etc.
What spacecraft, named after a British scientist, successfully landed on a comet in 2014?
The Rosetta spacecraft
Why is the use of emotional language and images in advertisements important when evaluating environmental claims?
Emotional tactics can distract consumers from the actual environmental impact of the product/service
How do international agreements promote global climate action?
They encourage countries to set emission reduction targets and cooperate in addressing climate change
What is a trophic cascade, and how can the loss of a top predator affect an ecosystem?
The domino effect of changes in species abundance throughout a food chain; the loss of a top predator can lead to overpopulation of lower trophic levels
What was the first nation to land in the lunar south pole region?
India (Chandrayaan-3)
What international treaty aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances that deplete it?
The Montreal Protocol