Climate Change
Environmental Economics
Biodiversity Crisis
Conservation Techniques
To Pollution
100
  • What is the difference between shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiation? 

Shortwave radiation has a shorter wavelength and more energy than longwave radiation, which has a longer wavelength and less energy.

100

Define natural capital.

the natural resources and environmental features in a given area, regarded as having economic value or providing a service to humankind.

100

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including the different types of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.It also includes the genetic information of these organisms and the ecosystems the

100
  • What is conservation?

prevention of wasteful use of a resource.

"they launched a week-long campaign to promote energy conservation"

100
  • What is the concept behind ‘One Health?’ What does it mean?

The One Health concept is a collaborative approach that aims to improve the health of people, animals, and the environment. It recognizes that the health of these groups is interconnected and interdependent. 

200

What is the difference between the terms ‘global warming’ and ‘climate change?’

Global warming is a part of climate change, which is a broader term that includes the effects of global warming

200

What are ecosystem services?

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, such as clean air and water, food, and opportunities for recreation.

200
  • What is diversity? Types?

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, and it can be broken down into three main types: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

200
  • What is in-situ/ex-situ conservation? Advantages/disadvantages?

In-situ conservation is the preservation of species in their natural habitats, while ex-situ conservation is the preservation of species in artificial habitats.

200
  • What is pollution? What are the sources?

Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment, which can damage the quality of air, water, and land. Pollutants can be natural or human-made. 

  • Household activities: Combustion devices in homes can pollute the air
  • Factories: Industrial facilities can release pollutants into the air and water
  • Agriculture: Pesticides and fertilizers used on fields can pollute the air and soil
  • Transportation: Motor vehicles can pollute the air
  • Power plants: Power plants can pollute the water through thermal pollution
  • Forest fires: Forest fires can pollute the air
  • Sewage and wastewater: Untreated wastewater can pollute the water


300
  • What is the albedo effect? How does it relate to polar regions and climate change?

he albedo effect is the measure of how much solar radiation a surface reflects, and it's a key factor in climate change


300

What are ecosystem

  • What is their worth?

Ecosystems are geographic areas where organisms, weather, and landscape interact to provide life-sustaining benefits for humans


300
  • What is diversity? Types?

Natural selection is a process that helps organisms survive and reproduce by passing on beneficial genetic mutations. It's a basic mechanism of evolution that can lead to new adaptations. 





300
  • What are various in-situ conservation tactics?

  • Protected areas: These are areas of land or sea that are legally protected to preserve their natural state. Examples include national parks, biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and sacred groves. 




  • Habitat restoration: This involves restoring habitats that have been degraded. 




  • Invasive species removal: This involves removing species that are non-native and harmful to the local ecosystem. 




  • Reintroduction: This involves reintroducing species that have been locally extirpated. 




  • Species-centered management: This involves managing populations of specific species. 




  • Ecosystem-based management: This involves managing entire ecosystems. 




  • Gene sanctuaries: These are areas dedicated to preserving genetic diversity. 




  • Cold storage: This involves storing seeds in controlled conditions to preserve their viability for long periods of time. 


300

What is the difference between pollutants and contaminants?

Pollutants are substances that are harmful to the environment and human health, while contaminants are substances that are foreign to the environment. 



Origin 



  • Pollutants: Can be naturally present in the environment, but in harmful amounts. They can also be introduced by humans.
  • Contaminants: Are synthetic substances introduced by human actions.
400
  • What are greenhouse gases? What are their sources? Why are they important to life on Earth?

Greenhouse gases are molecules in the atmosphere that trap heat from the Earth, keeping the planet warm enough for life.

400

What is weak sustainability?

Weak sustainability proponents consider natural and manufactured capital as interchangeable

400
  • How many species are there on Earth? 

stimates of the number of species on Earth range from a few million to billions, with the most recent estimates leaning towards the higher range

400

What is a charismatic/flagship/umbrella species?

A charismatic species is a well-known species with popular appeal that is used to raise awareness about conservation. Flagship species are charismatic species that are used as ambassadors to draw attention to the need for conservation. Umbrella species are species that benefit other species when conserved

400
  • What is the difference between point source and non-point source pollution?

Point source pollution comes from a single, identifiable source, while non-point source pollution comes from many sources that are difficult to identify. 


  • Point source: Wastewater treatment plants, factories, smokestacks, oil refineries, paper mills, auto plants 

  • Non-point source: Stormwater runoff, agricultural runoff, acid rain 



500
  • Compare and contrast the natural greenhouse gas effect and the enhanced greenhouse gas effect.

The natural greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps Earth habitable, while the enhanced greenhouse effect is a human-caused process that contributes to climate change.

500

What is strong sustainability?

Strong sustainability accepts there are certain functions that the environment performs that cannot be duplicated by humans or human made capital. The ozone layer is one example of an ecosystem service that is crucial for human existence,

500
  • What are the main reasons for biodiversity loss?

  • Changes in land use (e.g. deforestation, intensive mono-culture, urbanisation)
  • Direct exploitation such as hunting and over-fishing.
  • Climate change.
  • Pollution.
  • Invasive alien species.
500
  • What is fragmentation? What does it lead to?

Fragmentation can refer to the division of data into non-contiguous segments, or the breaking of an organism into pieces. Fragmentation can occur in computing, biology, and the environment.

500
  • What is stationary vs. mobile pollution?

Stationary pollution comes from non-moving sources, while mobile pollution comes from sources that move. 

Stationary pollution comes from non-moving sources, while mobile pollution comes from sources that move. 



Stationary pollution 

  • Sources: Power plants, chemical plants, oil refineries, manufacturing plants, and other industrial facilities
  • Examples: Boilers, factories, and incinerators