What is Env. Science
Environmental science is the study of the interactions between which two main things?
Humans and the environment
What does “commons” mean in Tragedy of the Commons?
A shared resource used by everyone
Which worldview is human-centered?
Anthropocentric.
Which natural resource is scarce in the UAE, requiring desalination plants?
Fresh Water
True or False: Solid waste is only a problem in poor countries.
False
What does the term environment mean?
All living and nonliving things around us.
In the fishing game, what happened when too many fish were taken?
The population collapsed / ran out.
Which worldview values the balance of ecosystems most?
Ecocentric
Which UAE project is designed to be one of the world’s most sustainable cities, powered mainly by renewable energy?
Masdar City
What does biodiversity mean?
The variety of life in an ecosystem.
Give one reason environmental science is considered interdisciplinary.
It involves many sciences like chemistry, physics, geology, biology, economics, etc
What lesson does the Tragedy of the Commons teach us?
Without rules, people overuse shared resources, leading to scarcity or collapse.
Which worldview believes technology can solve environmental problems?
Technocentric
Why is overfishing hammour a problem in the UAE?
Their population is declining due to high demand.
Give one way students can practice sustainability at school.
ecycling, using less paper, turning off lights, reusable bottles.
What is sustainability?
Using resources in a way that meets our needs without compromising future generations.
What is one way that governments or communities can prevent the Tragedy of the Commons from happening?
By creating rules, limits, or agreements to manage shared resources sustainably.
The UAE builds solar farms like Masdar City. Which worldview does this represent?
Technocentric.
How does the UAE balance development and sustainability in Vision 2030?
By investing in renewable energy, green cities, and conservation projects.
What does “ecological footprint” mean?
The amount of land, water, and resources a person or group uses.
Explain the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources, and give one example of each.
Renewable = naturally replenishes (ex: solar, wind). Nonrenewable = limited supply (ex: coal, oil).
Name one UAE example of a resource that could face a Tragedy of the Commons, and explain why.
Hammour fish → overfishing; groundwater → overuse; mangroves → development threats.
A company wants to expand solar farms in the UAE desert. How would each worldview (Anthro, Eco, Techno) view this decision differently?
Anthro → Focus on energy for people and economy; Eco → Concern for desert ecosystems and species; Techno → Trust in technology to balance growth and solve challenges.
Give one UAE environmental challenge and one government policy created to address it.
Plastic ban (pollution), Masdar City (energy), mangrove planting (coastal protection).
Why is environmental science important for the future of humanity?
It helps us solve problems, manage resources, and ensure survival for future generations.