Using Earth’s Resources-Human Impact on the Environment – Flashcards
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How do you think humans might affect the environment? Check all that apply.
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by adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
by polluting the land, water, and air.
by creating landfills
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Fossil Fuel
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a carbon-containing energy source formed from the decomposition of prehistoric organisms
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global warming
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an increase in the average temperature on Earth
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greenhouse effect
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a natural process by which Earth's surface is heated by certain gases in the atmosphere,
helping to maintain the normal range of temperatures on Earth
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greenhouse gases
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the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect
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invasive species
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a species that is introduced to a new ecosystem, becomes established in that ecosystem, and threatens local biodiversity
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landfill
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an area containing buried waste
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natural resource
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a material that exists in nature and is used by humans
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nonrenewable resource
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a natural material that is used by humans and cannot be replaced
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pollution
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the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment
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renewable resource
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a natural material that is used by humans and can be replaced
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sustainable use
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the managed consumption of natural resources to prevent their depletion or the destruction of the environment
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Identify whether each of the following descriptions are true or false.
To sustain fossil fuel resources, alternative sources of energy should be used.
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True
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Drip irrigation uses more water and is not helpful in sustaining water use.
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false
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Limiting erosion, disposing of mining waste, and limiting water pollution from the mine helps sustain land use
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true
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Deforestation is helpful in sustaining trees
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false
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Identify which type of pollution is caused by each of the following activities.
mining:
driving cars:
oil spills:
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land pollution
air pollution
water pollution
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Identify the greenhouse gases that make the greenhouse effect possible. Check all that apply.
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water vapor
carbon dioxide
methane
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Greenhouse gases absorb radiation from the_______
and re-radiate it back toward the _________,
which helps to maintain a normal range of _________ on Earth.
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Earth
Earth
temperature
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Which of the following are possible causes of global warming? Check all that apply.
human activity
differences in emitted energy from Earth
natural fluctuations
changes in distance to the Sun
poor measurement
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human activity
natural fluctuations
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Which of the following are ways that humans increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? Check all that apply.
burning fossil fuels
deforestation
livestock
death of organisms
landfills
agriculture
sewage treatment
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burning fossil fuels
deforestation
livestock
landfills
agriculture
sewage treatment
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Which of the following are consequences of global warming? Check all that apply.
increased seawater salinity
increased melting ice
increased sea level
decreased ocean water temperature
increased number of species
increased heat-related deaths
decreased growing season
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increased melting ice
increased sea level
increased heat-related deaths
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Select the appropriate term to complete the sentences below.
A _______ is a natural material used by humans that cannot be replaced.
A ________ is a natural material used by humans that can be replaced.
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nonrenewable resource
renewable resource
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Identify whether each of the following is a renewable or nonrenewable resource.
tree:
coal:
fresh water:
fish:
oil:
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renewable resource
nonrenewable resource
renewable resource
renewable resource
nonrenewable resource
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Why are invasive species dangerous to the environment? Check all that apply.
They outcompete native species for resources.
They compete for native mates and reproduce slowly.
They cause harm to property that can cause economic loss.
They disrupt food chains
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They outcompete native species for resources.
They cause harm to property that can cause economic loss.
They disrupt food chains
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What is a landfill? Check all that apply.
It is a pile of trash collected from humans.
It is a structure that isolates waste from the surrounding environment.
It is a dump formed to hold human trash.
It is a planned structure that buries trash in the ground.
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It is a structure that isolates waste from the surrounding environment.
It is a planned structure that buries trash in the ground.
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Why is the roof of the Hearst Tower designed to collect rainwater? Check all that apply.
to reduce the amount of water dumped into the city's sewer system
to replace water lost to evaporation in the office air-conditioning system
to add drinking water to the water fountains
to irrigate the plants and trees throughout the building
to humidify and chill the tower's ten-story atrium
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to replace water lost to evaporation in the office air-conditioning system
to irrigate the plants and trees throughout the building
to humidify and chill the tower's ten-story atrium
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What does the Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandate?
All new homes must be built "green."
All new shopping malls must be built "green."
All new federal buildings must be built "green."
All new grocery stores must be built "green."
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All new federal buildings must be built "green."
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What is green building?
Which of the following did you include in your answer? Check all that apply.
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Green building (also known as green construction or sustainable building) refers to both a structure and the using of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
It is the practice of maximizing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use resources (energy, water, and materials).
It is the practice of minimizing building impacts on human health and the environment.
Green building is also known as sustainable or high-performance building
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Which of the following are characteristics of green buildings? Check all that apply.
can be reconstructed from existing buildings
create healthy indoor environments for human use
require larger amounts of water to be used
encompass landscaping with native plants
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can be reconstructed from existing buildings
create healthy indoor environments for human use
encompass landscaping with native plants
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What is the purpose of the "spine" of vegetation in the Fusionopolis building? Check all that apply.
It insulates the complex in the summer.
It insulates the complex in the winter.
It provides passive cooling in the summer.
It provides passive cooling in the winter.
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It insulates the complex in the winter.
It provides passive cooling in the summer.
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Which describes the greenhouse effect?
an artificial process
a dangerous process
a natural process
a new process
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a natural process
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Why are invasive species dangerous to the environment?
They pollute the environment.
They are voracious predators.
They threaten biodiversity.
They are nonrenewable.
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They threaten biodiversity.
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Which water source becomes polluted as it travels over the earth?
ponds
groundwater
oceans
runoff
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runoff
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Freshwater can be renewed, but environmentalists consider it nonrenewable. Why is there a contradiction in classification?
Water is recycled through the use of irrigation, bathing, and everyday use.
Water is easily polluted or depleted before it can be replaced.
Water evaporates and condenses, and then precipitation returns it to the lakes.
Water is highly affected by global warming, and is quickly evaporating.
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Water is easily polluted or depleted before it can be replaced.
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Which consequence of global warming is described as having an increase in growing season, changes in migration, and loss of species?
changing oceans
melting ice
affected human populations
altered ecosystems
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altered ecosystems
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Which of the following substitutions can help reduce air pollution?
using a bike instead of a car
using dumps instead of landfills
using coal instead of oil
using fireplaces instead of a wind farms
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using a bike instead of a car
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Which is a sustainable practice?
wind farms
clear cutting
flood irrigation
overfishing
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wind farms
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What are sustainable use practices?
They are any materials that exist in nature and that are used by humans.
They are the managed consumption of natural resources to prevent their depletion or the destruction of the environment.
They are the deployment of fossil fuels to environments that previously did not have access to such resources.
They are ways in which individuals are able to conserve wildlife.
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They are the managed consumption of natural resources to prevent their depletion or the destruction of the environment.
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Which is a renewable resource?
oil
wood
iron
coal
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wood
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Which gases contribute to the greenhouse effect?
nitrogen and helium
carbon dioxide and methane
carbon dioxide and helium
nitrogen and methane
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carbon dioxide and methane
