Random Sustainability Facts
What type of economy is one where materials can be reused and remain in the economy as long as possible?
A. Linear Economy
B. Cyclical Economy
C. Capitalistic Economy
D. Circular Economy
D. Circular Economy
Energy-efficient homes sell for 5% more money and up to ___% faster than homes that are not energy efficient, as features like solar panels, heat pumps, and superior insulation are highly sought after.
A. 15%
B. 18%
C. 21%
A. 15%
Food waste is responsible for what percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions?
A. 8%
B. 10%
C. 12%
A. 8%
How many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are there?
17 goals
What was the original name of candy corn?
A. Farmer's Gold
B. Golden Grain Candy
C. Harvest Nuggets
D. Chicken Feed
D. Chicken Feed. According to History.com, the Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly Candy Company) popularized the classic tricolor Halloween treat when it began marketing the kernels under that name in 1898.
How many times is the average piece of clothing worn before being discarded in the US?
A. 2-5 times
B. 7-10 times
C. 12-15 times
B. 7-10 times
Everything we eat not only contains water, but also used additional water when it was grown. What is the term used to describe the quantity of water embedded in food and products, measured at the places where they were actually produced.
A. Hidden water
B. Virtual water
C. Indirect water
B. Virtual water
The higher we go up the food chain, the greater the virtual water content. The virtual water content of a pound of wheat is 172 gallons, while the virtual water content of a pound of beef is 1,500 gallons. Switching to more plant-based diets could reduce agriculture's water footprint by 20-50%.
The UN categorizes very low-income, highly vulnerable countries as "least developed countries (LDCs)," which have access to extra international development assistance. As of 2025, how many countries were listed as LDCs?
A. 44
B. 55
C. 66
A. 44
The list of LDCs is reviewed every 3 years.
Each Sustainable Development Goal has additional measurable targets, that allow for tracking progress towards the goals. How many total targets are there, across all the goals?
A. 93
B. 124
C. 144
D. 169
D. There are 169 measurable targets across all the Sustainable Development Goals.
This Gothic novel by Mary Shelley, first published in 1818, features the creation of this famous monster.
Frankenstein
What percentage of clothing in the United States ends up in landfills or incinerators?
A. Approximately 55%
B. Approximately 85%
C. Approximately 95%
B. Approximately 85%
This equals roughly 11.3 million tons of textile waste, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with only about 15% of used clothes being recycled or repurposed.
This is the name given to the electricity used by devices that have been left plugged in (TVs, chargers, computers, etc.), even when they are turned off. This type of power can account for up to 20% of a monthly electricity bill.
A. Shadow power
B. Ghost power
C. Vampire power
C. Vampire power
This concept demands that countries and communities have fair access to environmental benefits and equal protection from environmental harms.
Environmental justice
Clean Water and Sanitation is the name of which UN Sustainable Development Goal?
#6
What is America's favorite Halloween candy, based on a 2023 poll?
Reese’s come out on top, with 29 percent of Americans choosing it as their favorite. Snickers came in second followed by a three-way tie for third between candy corn, Kit Kats, and M&Ms.
Which of the following food item produces the most greenhouse gas emissions (from beginning of life through human consumption)?
A. Beef burger
B. Salmon fillet
C. Veggie burger
D. Chicken breast
A. Beef burger
Which item(s) uses the most electricity in a home?
A. Water heater
B. Lighting
C. Appliances and electronics
D. HVAC (air conditioning and heating)
D. HVAC (air conditioning and heating)
This country generates nearly all of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily hydropower and geothermal energy.
Iceland
Put these four SDGs in order by their respective number (#12, #13, #14, #15):
Climate Action
Life on Land
Responsible Consumption and Production
Life Below Water
#12 Responsible Consumption and Production
#13 Climate Action
#14 Life Below Water
#15 Life on Land
The phrase "double, double toil and trouble" comes from this Shakespeare play.
Macbeth
Earth Overshoot Day, the day when humanity has consumed 1 year's worth of resources, was November 1st in 2000. What month was the 2026 Earth Overshoot Day in?
July (July 30, 2026)
Toilet flushing is the largest single domestic use of water in the U.S., with an average of 5.1 flushes/person/day in homes. What household item is the second largest use of water in residential settings?
Clothes washers. Americans wash an average of 0.37 loads/person/day in their homes. Older washing machines use 35 gallons per load or more; high-efficiency residential washers use an average of 27 gallons per load.
In residential settings, the third largest use of water is showerheads.
In 2015, this ocean phenomenon was mapped for the first time. Located between California and Hawaii, the area is three times the size of France. It contains 100,000 tons of floating plastic. What is it called?
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The symbol for Sustainable Development Goal #9 is three boxes connected to each other. What is the name of this SDG (you must get it exactly right)?
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Halloween traces its roots to this country, where the ancient festival of Samhain originated over 2,000 years ago.
Ireland