An Interdisciplinary Science
Environmental Ethics
We got problems…
Vocab I
Vocab II
100
What is meant by environmental science being an “interdisciplinary science”?
Involves many fields of science
100

A nature-centered philosophy that places intrinsic value on ecosystems regardless of their usefulness to humans.

Ecocentrism.

100
Earth's problems are categorized into three groups, an oil spill would fall under which main category?
Pollution
100
Replaced relatively quickly by natural processes
Renewable Resource
100
Define "Biodiversity"
Number and variety of species that live in an area
200
Give an example on how a biologist could contribute to environmental science.
Biologist studies living things. Your answer should include something about living things.
200

A Resource that cannot be used up, like Sunlight.

Inexhaustible Resource.

200
Earth's problems are categorized into three groups, deforestation would fall under which main category?
Resource Depletion
200
forms at a much slower rate than the rate it is consumed
Nonrenewable Resource
200
The study of how humans interact with the environment
Environmental Science
300
Give an example on how a Paleontologist could contribute to environmental science.
Paleontologists study fossils and ancient life. Your answer should include something about the past and how it helps us understand the environment today.
300

Name 3 example of a resource that is consumed faster than they can be replenished, as their formation took millions of years.

Coal, oil, natural gas.

300
Earth's problems are categorized into three groups, extinction of the passenger pigeon would fall under which main category?
Loss of Biodiversity
300
Broken down by natural processes
Biodegradable pollutants
300
Define "Environment"
The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates
400
Give an example on how an Engineer could contribute to environmental science.
Engineering is a branch of Physics by which matter and energy are made useful to humans in structures, machines, and products. Your answer should have a specific example of something engineers could design/create to help us study, preserve, etc the environment.
400

Identify 2 laws that were passed in response to the modern environmentalism movement.

The Safe Drinking Water Act

The Clean Water Act

The Clean Air Act

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

The Endangered Species Act


400
Can species be considered natural resources?
Yes, we use them for food, oxygen, shelter, clothes, etc.
400
Can’t be broken down
Nonbiodegradable pollutants
400
Describe the concept of "The tragedy of the commons", give an example.
The idea that if something is available for everyone to use as they wish, in other words, is a "commons". The resource will soon be depleted because of the idea "if I don't use it someone else will, so I might as well use as much as I want".
500
Give an example on how a Chemist could contribute to environmental science.
Chemists study chemicals and their interactions. Your answer should have a specific example of how chemicals could affect the environment either positively or negatively.
500

Environmental indicators are used to describe and evaluate the health of Earth’s ecosystems. Name 3 of them.

—Biodiversity

—Food production rates

—Climate change

—Human population growth

—Resource depletion

500

National Parks are preserved areas of land. What activities are not allowed there?

No fishing, logging, commercial hunting, or livestock grazing can occur.

500
Define "Ecological Footprint"
Shows the productive area (land and resources) of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country
500
Define "Sustainability"
The condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely at a standard of living similar to the current one.
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