The Science Behind Environments
These gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
What are greenhouse gases?
The impact of whiplash weather on the 2025 wildfires showed a need for better management of this natural resource, which helps mitigate fire damage but has been stressed by the rapid temperature shifts
What is water?
This environmental management strategy is used to control the spread of wildfires by creating controlled burns to remove excess fuel
What is Backburning/Brushburning?
This environmental change, driven by human activities like deforestation and burning fossil fuels, has led to the rising temperatures on Earth over the past century
What is global warming?
This worldview sees nature as something to be used by humans for economic gain, often leading to environmental degradation
What is anthropocentrism?
These species are introduced to new environments, often disrupting local ecosystems
What are invasive species?
In the aftermath of the 2025 wildfires, this U.S. President controversially blamed the fires on this type of aquatic life, suggesting their impact on water management contributed to the disaster
Bonus points if you can name the species as well
Who is Donald Trump, and what are fish?
What is a Delta Smelt?
This invasive species is currently threating the Northern Rivers area
What are fire ants?
This tropical rainforest, once covering vast areas of South America, has been drastically reduced due to deforestation for agriculture, particularly cattle farming
What is the Amazon Rainforest?
This concept refers to the balance between human development and the preservation of natural resources for future generations
What is sustainability?
These four interconnected spheres include the solid outer layer, the atmosphere, the water on Earth, and all living organisms.
What are atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere?
This environmental phenomenon, which contributed to the intensity of the 2025 LA wildfires, is caused by the combination of dry conditions and strong winds
What are the Santa Ana Winds?
These areas are designated by governments to protect biodiversity and natural landscapes from development.
What are national parks?
This area of Australia has experienced significant coral bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures, threatening marine life and biodiversity
This type of forest is home to a diverse range of species and plays a critical role in regulating the global climate
What is a tropical rainforest?
One refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while the other describes long-term patterns over time
What is the difference between weather and climate?
This weather phenomenon, characterized by rapid shifts from extreme wet conditions to severe drought, is believed to have contributed to the severity of the 2025 California wildfires, as it created ideal conditions for fire to spread
What is hydroclimate (whiplash) weather?
This practice involves planting trees to prevent soil erosion, increase biodiversity, and improve air quality
What is reforestation?
The disaster caused by the 1986 explosion at this Ukrainian nuclear power plant has led to long-term environmental contamination and displacement of local populations
What is the Chernobyl disaster?
This term refers to the movement of water through plants and into the atmosphere, primarily through small openings called stomata
What is transpiration?
This process involves endogenic and exogenic forces
What are geomorphic processes?
This affluent coastal neighborhood in Los Angeles, known for its scenic views and upscale homes, suffered significant losses in the 2025 wildfires
What is Pacific Palisades?
This term refers to the practice of designing cities to be adaptable to future environmental changes, including climate change and resource scarcity
What is resilient urban planning?
This event led to the desertification of the once-fertile region of Uzbekistan, transforming it into a wasteland of salt and dust
What is the drying of the Aral Sea?
This process involves the cycling of carbon through the atmosphere, living organisms, and Earth’s surface, affecting climate and ecosystems
What is the carbon cycle?