Planet Basics
What does the word “sustainability” mean?
Using resources in a way that doesn’t harm the future
What is the symbol for recycling, and what does each arrow in the symbol represent?
The recycling symbol is a triangle made of three arrows. Each arrow stands for one part of the process: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
What is the main cause of ocean pollution?
Plastic waste
What is a major environmental benefit of solar and wind energy compared to fossil fuels?
They produce electricity without releasing greenhouse gases or air pollutants.
Name one reusable item you can carry every day.
Water bottle, lunchbox, shopping bag
Name one human activity that harms the Earth.
Pollution, deforestation, burning fossil fuels
What happens at a landfill?
Trash is buried
How does ocean acidification happen, and what impact does it have on coral reefs?
CO₂ from the atmosphere dissolves into seawater, lowering the pH and making it harder for corals and shellfish to build their skeletons/shells
Why is energy storage important when using solar or wind power?
Because they are intermittent (the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow), energy storage helps ensure a steady power supply.
What is fast fashion?
Cheap clothes made quickly, often harmful to the environment
What type of gas causes the greenhouse effect?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
Why is it a problem when recyclable materials are placed in the trash instead of the recycling bin?
They end up in landfills where they can take hundreds of years to break down, and valuable resources are wasted.
what is overfishing?
Catching too many fish and not letting populations recover
What are two challenges to transitioning a country’s power grid to 100% renewable energy?
High costs of infrastructure updates and storage, and variability of renewable sources.
How can urban planning and design impact sustainability?
Sustainable urban planning promotes green spaces, energy-efficient buildings, and accessible public transportation, reducing the environmental impact of cities.
What is deforestation?
Cutting down large areas of trees
What is composting?
Turning food and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil
Why is the melting of polar ice a threat to the ocean ecosystem?
It disrupts habitats, raises sea levels, and can affect ocean currents and temperatures.
Explain how hydropower can be both renewable and environmentally damaging.
It uses water flow to generate energy (renewable), but dams can destroy habitats, block fish migration, and alter river ecosystems.
Why is "buying in bulk" considered a more sustainable choice than purchasing individually packaged items?
Buying in bulk reduces packaging waste and the carbon footprint of production and transportation, as fewer materials are needed to package the same quantity of goods.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living things in an ecosystem
What materials break down well in compost, and what types of waste should never go in compost?
What materials break down well in compost, and what types of waste should never go in compost?
What are marine protected areas (MPAs) and how do they help sustain ocean biodiversity?
MPAs are zones where human activity is limited to preserve marine life; they help ecosystems recover and increase biodiversity.
Name 3 different types of renewable energy
1. solar energy
2. Wind Energy
3. Hydropower
4. Geothermal Energy
5. Tidal Energy
6. Wave Energy
How can electric cars also be harmful to the environment?
energy-intensive production of batteries/mining for materials like lithium and cobalt/ battery disposal challenges