The Way We Move
Resource Management
Safe Landing
Techies to the Rescue
Keeping it All in Balance
100
Name two modes of transportation that are environmentally friendly.
There are many including biking, walking, running, roller skating, skateboarding or taking public transportation.
100
Water covers seventy percent of the Earth, but people can only drink a small portion of that water. Why?
Over 97% of the water on Earth is in the salty oceans and cannot be used by people. The rest is fresh water, but much of that is in icebergs, which means only 0.5% of the Earth’s water is usable by humans. Did you know…? By 2015, 40% of the people in the world will be experiencing a water shortage. This is why conserving water is so important. You can help by turning off the faucet when you are not using it, taking shorter showers, and encouraging your parents to buy more efficient appliances the next time they shop.
100
What animal emits enough methane gas to contribute to 16% of the total amount of global warming gasses in the atmosphere?
Cows. Flatulence and belches from cows contain methane, a dangerous and invisible global warming gas. Did you know…? While carbon dioxide has had the biggest effect on global warming, this is only because it is the most common global warming gas emitted. Methane, on the other hand, is less common, but has 20 times the heattrapping capacity of carbon dioxide, making it by far the most harmful global warming gas.
100
What source of clean energy is powerful enough to take the place of every fossil fuel in every way it is used? Sun Wind Gas Water
The sun. The sun produces enough energy to supply the entire world's energy demands. Solar power is inexhaustible, has no harmful byproducts, and solar panels have no moving parts, making them durable and easy to maintain.
100
What percentage of mammals are currently in danger of extinction –10%, 25%, or 35%?
Twenty-five percent of all mammals are currently in danger of extinction. This is mainly the result of the destruction of their native habitats, but other factors, such as reduced sources of food, also play a part.
200
Which of the following cars are the most fuel efficient – SUVs (Sport Utility Car), sports cars, or hybrid cars?
Hybrid Cars. SUVs and sports cars are less fuel-efficient than average cars while hybrid cars, which combine electricity and gas to power the engine, are the most fuel-efficient cars available on the market today.
200
True or false: when you flush the toilet, you use as much water as the average person in a developing country uses in a day.
This is true. Did you know…? The United States uses more water than any other country in the world. By the way, toilets made after 1992 use 1.6 gallons per flush while toilets made before 1992 can use up to eight gallons per flush. According to a 2001 study, this amounts to an average of 27,448 gallons a year for the old-style toilets and 13,286 for newer water efficient toilets.
200
Which major ecosystem (Forest, Jungle, Iceland) was reduced in size by 94 million hectares (greater than the size of Venezuela, a South American country) during the 1990s?
The Earth's forests were reduced in size by 94 million hectares. Did you know…? Many rainforests have been subject to “deforestation” – clear cutting by humans to make room for farms and cow pastures as well as to use as a natural resource. If the current rate of deforestation continues, the Earth’s forests will disappear in only 100 years.
200
Each year 3.4 million people die because of contamination of which major resource? wind/water/earth
Water. Access to fresh drinking water is a significant problem in many countries around the world.
200
If everyone on Earth lived like an average American, how many planets would we need to provide an adequate supply of natural resources in order to sustain us – 1, 5, or 10?
There is no way our planet could support the human race if everyone lived like Americans. In fact, if the United States were the standard for use of natural resources it would take five planet Earths to support the current population of the planet.
300
What is the most efficient mode of travel possible for people – riding a bicycle, walking, driving in a car, or riding in an airplane?
The bicycle is the most efficient way to get from one point to another - even more so than walking, because you can travel farther on less energy.
300
What causes Global Warming?
Global warming is the theory that the Earth is getting warmer. This is caused by gasses in the atmosphere that keep in heat, these gasses are a product of burning fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Did you know…? Global warming affects farming, weather, oceans, and ecological diversity. Changing to clean, renewable energy and using less energy by switching to more energy efficient cars and appliances are the best ways to prevent global warming. Another preventive measure is planting trees, which absorb global warming gasses we put into the air.
300
What are the three “Rs” that help guide us in using fewer resources and cutting down the amount of waste we produce?
Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reduce the amount of waste you produce. Reuse items instead of throwing them away. Recycle items made of plastic, metal, or paper. This will decrease the amount of garbage that goes to the dump AND reduce the amount of natural resources we use to create new materials.
300
Although computers provide an enormous technological advancement for our society, they may be dangerous for nature, why?
Computers are made up of lead, mercury, nickel, and other components that are potentially hazardous to the environment and to your health if not disposed of properly.
300
What does it mean to live in a sustainable world?
In a sustainable world we would not use more natural resources than are available to us, or at a faster rate than they can be replenished.
400
On average, do cars manufactured today or those manufactured in the 1920s burn more gasoline?
Today's cars consume more gas. Did you know…? The automobiles of the 21st century are the most inefficient in history, a fact largely due to the increase in SUV sales, which account for more than 50% of America's cars.
400
Where are the world’s greatest oil resources?
The bulk of the world's oil resources are located in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia. This means importing oil increases the cost of fuel.
400
How many gallons of water are used to produce one pound of beef – 100, 1000, or over 2500?
Over 2500 gallons of water are needed to produce just one pound of beef. Did you know…? The reason producing beef requires so much water is that the pastures that cattle eat need to be flush with grass so the cattle can eat. Cattle must also drink water. Furthermore, water is also used for cleaning purposes.
400
Fuel cells use which element – hydrogen, helium, or nitrogen?
Fuel cells rely on hydrogen. Did you know…? Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. In fact, for the purposes of human use, hydrogen is essentially unlimited, and adds no global warming gasses to the atmosphere. Compare these attributes to coal and oil, which are most certainly limited and are major contributors to global warming.
400
Where do fossil fuels such as coal and oil come from, and why is it beneficial to leave them undisturbed?
Resources such as coal and oil are known as "fossil" fuels for a reason. They are the remnants of plants and animals that died many years ago. After millions of years, as soil covers biological remnants and pressure builds up, this debris eventually turns into what we now use to heat our homes and run our cars. Did you know…? Fossil fuels lock vast amounts of carbon dioxide deep within the Earth's surface for a long time. When humans extract the coal and oil and burn it to make energy, we release this carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a greater rate than the Earth can reabsorb it.
500
As gasoline is converted to energy, how much of its potential power is used by our cars - 100%, 70%, 45%, or less than 10%?
Traditional cars are not very energy efficient. They use less than 10% of the potential energy in the fuel we put into them. Did you know…? Gas/electric hybrid cars get much better gas mileage because they do not rely only on gasoline to get from one place to another. We can also look forward to hydrogen-powered cars, which utilize over 90% of the fuel's potential energy and run on one of the most abundant resources on Earth.
500
Name three types of renewable energy.
There are many different answers to this question. Some possibilities include using solar energy, wind power, hydropower, and hydrogen.
500
Give two reasons why forests are crucial for maintaining life on Earth.
Forests serve many more purposes than people might imagine. They are home to a majority of species on Earth, and deforestation results in the extinction of thousands of species a year - animals that are essential to maintaining the balance in an ecosystem. Additionally, the roots of trees hold topsoil in place so it does not wash away in rainstorms and ensures that plants can continue to flourish. Finally, trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, which slows global warming.
500
If we burn hydrogen in a fuel cell, it combines with oxygen to create energy. What is the resulting product from this chemical reaction?
When hydrogen (H2) combines with oxygen (O), it creates water (H2O) which is a safe and clean emission
500
How does our every breath contribute to a balanced and sustainable ecosystem?
Like every other organism, humans are an important part of a balanced ecosystem. The carbon dioxide mammals, such as humans, exhale helps trees create the food they need to survive through the process of photosynthesis. In turn, during photosynthesis tress produce the oxygen animals like us need to survive.
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