1.1 Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the core message of environmental science?
Humans are part of the natural world, dependent on a healthy planet, and can choose to live more sustainably.
What was the peak population of the Viking settlement in Greenland?
3,000 individuals.
How long did the Viking settlement in Greenland persist before disappearing?
450 years.
What did researchers study to understand why the Vikings disappeared?
Ancient middens (trash piles).
What were key reasons the Vikings disappeared from Greenland?
Climate change (Little Ice Age), soil erosion, dangerous hunting practices, refusal of Inuit help, and loss of trade with Europe.
What is the definition of the environment?
The biological and physical surroundings in which any given living organism exists.
What is environmental science?
An interdisciplinary field that combines natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to understand the natural world and human impact on it.
What is empirical science?
A scientific approach that investigates the natural world through systematic observation and experimentation.
What is an example of empirical science?
Investigating the properties of light.
What is applied science?
Research that is used to solve practical problems.
What is an example of applied science?
Developing better solar cells.
What role did climate change play in the Vikings’ disappearance?
The onset of the Little Ice Age caused colder temperatures, making farming and hunting more difficult.
Why are environmental problems considered ‘wicked problems’?
They have multiple causes and consequences, different stakeholders prefer different solutions, and all solutions involve trade-offs.
What is the ‘triple bottom line’ for sustainable solutions?
Solutions must be good for the environment, good for society, and economically viable.
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
What is the Anthropocene?
A proposed new geologic epoch marked by modern human impact on Earth.
What does ‘anthropogenic’ mean?
Caused by or related to human action.
What are planetary boundaries?
Limits on physical and biological processes that, if exceeded, increase the risk of environmental change.
What are four characteristics of a sustainable ecosystem?
Acquires energy, uses matter efficiently, controls population sizes, and depends on local biodiversity.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of species on Earth.
What are nonrenewable resources?
Resources with a finite supply or that are not replenished quickly, like fossil fuels.
What is biomimicry?
A scientific approach that uses nature as a model to develop sustainable solutions.
What is a social trap?
A decision that provides short-term benefits but causes long-term harm to society.
What is the ‘tragedy of the commons’?
When individuals overuse commonly held resources for personal gain, leading to depletion.
