An Interdisciplinary Science
Timeline of Environmental History
Potpourri
Vocab I
Vocab II
100
What is meant by environmental science being an “interdisciplinary science”?
Involves many fields of science
100
10. For the majority of human history, we were ____________________ who survived by collecting plants and hunting wild animals.
hunter-gatherers
100

Effective environmental policy involves input from science, ______, and economics.

what is "ethics"

100
Replaced relatively quickly by natural processes
Renewable Resource
100
The study of how humans interact with the environment
Environmental Science
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
Humans began to collect seeds, grow crops, and domesticate animals during the ______________.
Agricultural Revolution
200

The _____________ Act of 1862 allowed any citizen, for just $16, to claim 65 hectares (160 acres) of public land, as long as they lived on it for five years and either built a house or cultivated the land.

what is "Homestead"

200
forms at a much slower rate than the rate it is consumed
Nonrenewable Resource
200
Define "Environment"
The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates
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
The _____________________ was characterized by a shift from human and animal power to fossil fuels.
Industrial Revolution
300

___________ is an example of a corporate response to the call for sustainable goods and services.

what is "ecolabeling'

300

Sunlight, fresh water, timber, and fossil fuels

What are "goods"

300
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".
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

During the 3rd time period in environmental history (mid to late 1900s) Policy began to reflect the connection between human and ___________ health.

what is "environmental"

400

Social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world

what is "environmentalism"

400

Nutrient cycling and purification of air and water

What are "services"

400
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.
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

During the 1st period in Environmental History the general feeling was that resources and land ___________________________.

What was "were in endless supply"

500
  • The total amount of land and water required to:

    • provide the raw materials an individual or population consumes

    • dispose of or recycle the waste an individual or population consumes

What is "ecological footprint"

500

a decision-making tool that compares an activity’s gains and costs.

What is a "cost-benefit analysis"
500

No dumping signs are an example of this type of environmental policy approach.

What is "command and control"