Environmental Science- Milestones and Turning Points

How have approaches to environmental issues changed over the years?

Over the years, greater controversy has arisen over environmental issues as the issues addressed have become more complex and less easily identifiable

Which of the following is an area targeted by countries to reduce environmental impact?
a.
greenhouse gas emissions
b.
wetland destruction
c.
deforestation
d.
all of the above

d. all of the above

Explain why global participation is important in reducing resource depletion.

Global participation is important in reducing resource depletion, because the problem is a global one. Local deforestation has global impacts. The demand for resources in one country can affect the depletion of resources in other countries. Without global participation, nonrenewable resources will continue to be depleted.

Explain how the cap and dividend policy could help reduce carbon emissions over time.

A cap and dividend policy involves issuing permits to industries that contribute to overall carbon emissions. These industries would have a limit to how much they could contribute to carbon emissions, and each year the number of permits would decrease. This would force industries to adapt to changes in carbon emissions and reduce the overall amount of carbon emissions over time.

Permits in the cap and dividend policy are issued for _______ production.
a.
carbon dioxide
b.
timber
c.
water pollution
d.
plastic

a. carbon dioxide

How are the international efforts at reducing resource and ecological depletion similar?

International efforts to reduce resource and ecological depletion operate on a volunteer basis rather than a mandatory one. This is due to the fact that nations do not have jurisdiction over each other.

Explain how major environmental policies came about.

Major environmental policies came about as a result of environmental disasters that drew the attention of the media. Events like the oil spill in California and the fires along the Cuyahoga River drew the attention of the media and helped raise public awareness of environmental issues. Increased public awareness led to the federal government enacting policies to monitor water conditions and assess the environmental impact of business and industry.

Water pollution control came about as a result of _______.
a.
public protest of the condition of the Cuyahoga River
b.
the Cuyahoga River fire of 1969
c.
the California oil spill
d.
environmental assessments

b. the Cuyahoga River fire of 1969

The _______ was a result of the 1992 Earth Summit.
a.
Kyoto Protocol
b.
International Tropical Timber Agreement
c.
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
d.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

d. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

What occurred as a result of the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire?
a.
The number of fire stations along the river was doubled.
b.
The public was restricted from accessing the Cuyahoga River.
c.
Public awareness of water pollution increased.
d.
Ohio residents organized a massive campaign to clean up the river.

c. Public awareness of water pollution increased.

Why is it important for all countries to participate in reducing resource depletion?
a.
Resource depletion that occurs in one country may be due to demand in another.
b.
The depletion of resources in one area can have a dramatic effect on other regions.
c.
Resources are limited globally.
d.
All of the above

d. All of the above

What is the main goal of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change?
a.
to impose carbon emission limits on all countries
b.
to encourage the sustainable use of tropical rainforests
c.
to prevent the continued rise of greenhouse gas concentrations
d.
to end the production of greenhouse gases

c. to prevent the continued rise of greenhouse gas concentrations

What do the international efforts at reducing resource and ecological depletion have in common?
a.
They rely on voluntary participation.
b.
They came about through the work of the United Nations.
c.
They began in the 1980’s.
d.
They have nothing in common.

a. They rely on voluntary participation.

Which of the following is a possible future milestone in environmental policy?
a.
water pollution policy
b.
implementation of a cap and dividend policy
c.
mandatory environmental assessments
d.
environmental impact statements

b. implementation of a cap and dividend policy

Which of the following statements about the cap and dividend policy is not true?
a.
The number of issued permits under the cap and dividend policy increases year to year.
b.
The cap and dividend policy sets a limit on total carbon emissions.
c.
The cap and dividend policy works by issuing limit permits.
d.
Carbon emissions will likely decrease over time as a result of a cap and dividend policy.

a. The number of issued permits under the cap and dividend policy increases year to year.

In recent years, the controversy surrounding environmental issues has decreased.

False

All international conservation programs were started in the 1990’s.

False

The National Environmental Policy Act was established in 1965.

False

The Environmental Policy Act of 1969 was instituted as a follow up regulation to major environmental issues that occurred in the 1960’s.

True