Chapter 1

Question 1

Anthropocene

Answer 1

Proposed as a new geological epoch for a period in which important geological conditions and processes have been significantly affected by human activities. (pg 15)

Question 2

Anthropocentric view

Answer 2

Human-centred view in which values are defined relative to human interests, wants and needs. (pg 5)

Question 3

Biocapacity

Answer 3

The amount of biologically productive area- cropland, pasture, forest, and fisheries - available to meet humanity’s needs (pg. 30, 34)

Question 4

Crude birth rate (CBR)

Answer 4

Number of births in a population per 1000 individuals per year (pg 17)

Question 5

Crude death rate (CDR)

Answer 5

Number of deaths in a population per 1000 individuals per year (pg 17)

Question 6

Crude growth rate (CGR)

Answer 6

Number of people by which a population increases (per 1000 individuals per year) produced by subtracting the crude death rate (CDR) from the crude birth rate (CBR). (pg 17)

Question 7

Cryosphere

Answer 7

Those parts of the Earth’s surface where water is in the solid form as ice or snow. (pg 5)

Question 8

Demographic transition

Answer 8

the transition of a human population from high birth rate and high death rate to low birthrate and low death rate (pg 20)

Question 9

Ecocentric (biocentric) view

Answer 9

The view in which elements of the environment are considered of value based on their own existence, and are considered as having the right to exist; that a natural order governs relationships between living things (pg 5) nature has an intrinsic value

Question 10

Ecological footprint

Answer 10

The land area a community needs to provide its consumptive requirements for food, water, and other products and to dispose of the wastes from this consumption (pg 30)

Question 11

Environment

Answer 11

The combination of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, in which all living species and non-living phenomena exist. (pg 5)

Question 12

Environmental migration

Answer 12

Movement of people motivated to leave their home area as a result of abrupt or long-term negative alterations to their local environment (pg 21)

Question 13

Epidemiological transition

Answer 13

Change in mortality rates from high to low in a human population (p 20)

Question 14

Exponential growth

Answer 14

The growth rate seen when a population increases by a certain percentage rather than an absolute amount, producing a J-shaped curve (p17)

Question 15

Global climate change

Answer 15

Impacts of accumulation of greenhouse gases on the Earth’s climate (p 4, 26)

Question 16

Gross national product (GNP)

Answer 16

The total value of all goods and services produced for final consumption in an economy; an index used by economists as an index or indicator to compare national economies or periods of time within a single national economy (p 24)

Question 17

Indicators

Answer 17

Specific facets or parametres of a particular system that tell us something about the state of that system (but do not tell us why). (p 5, 30)

Question 18

Kuznet curve

Answer 18

Proposes a relationship between income per capita and environmental degradation increases. However, at some level of per capita income this pattern reverses, resulting in enhancement of the environment (p 21)

Question 19

Living Planet Index

Answer 19

An index that quantifies the overall state of Earth’s ecosystems (p 33)

Question 20

Migration

Answer 20

A movement, often involving a large group of people or animals from one place to another. Migration of people usually is triggered by a desire to achieve greater economic opportunities or to escape violence or conflict (p 21)

Question 21

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Answer 21

An assessment, carried out by the UN between 2001 and 2005, of the consequences of ecosystem change for human well being that establish the scientific basis for actions needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems and their contributions to human wellbeing (p 15)

Question 22

Planetary carrying capacity

Answer 22

The ability of the Earth and its various systems to sustain people and other organisms on the planet, expressed a s number of people (or number of any given species) (pg 25)

Question 23

Population age structure

Answer 23

A graphic depiction of the distribution of people in various age groups (cohorts) for a given population (p 18)

Question 24

Replacement-level fertility rate

Answer 24

The fertility rate that will sustain a population at existing level (p 19)

Question 25

Resilience

Answer 25

The ability of a system to absorb disturbance and still retain its basic function and structure; ability to return to normal after a disturbance (p 13)

Question 26

Resources

Answer 26

Specific elements of the environment such as trees, fish, and fossil fuels (p 5)

Question 27

Subsidiarity

Answer 27

A policy and management approach stipulating that decisions should be taken at the level closest to where consequences are most noticeable or have the most direct impact (p 28)

Question 28

Sustainable development

Answer 28

(Economic) development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (p 12) think of conservation/utilitarianism

Question 29

Three waves

Answer 29

"Ways of thinking" or dominant views about environmental management that have developed over the past 150 years. Generally, the first way is characterized by "conservation", followed by "activism" in the second wave and a focus on "positive solutions" in the third wave (pg 5)

Question 30

Total fertility rate

Answer 30

The average number of children each woman has over her lifetime. (p 19)

Question 31

Triple bottom line

Answer 31

Also called the 3Ps (people, planet, profit), goes beyond the traditional private sector focus on profits, return on investment, and shareholder value to include attention to both environmental and social considerations (p 13)

Question 32

War on Science

Answer 32

Occurs when government leaders seek to control science and government scientists, and/or dismiss the findings and conclusions of independent scientists (pg 8)

Question 33

Wicked Problems

Answer 33

Issues characterized by changing and complex relationships that are challenging to identify, resulting in difficulty in resolving them because of incomplete and/or contradictory understanding (pg 12)

Question 34

1. Elements of the environment are considered resources when ________. a) humans have the insight to appreciate how they could be used b) their intrinsic value is recognized c) these elements have a value to humans d) all of the above e) none of the above

Answer 34

d) all of the above | pg 5

Question 35

The World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Index shows the planet’s overall ecological health has been reduced by ________. a) 10 per cent since 1970 b) 25 per cent since 1970 c) 50 per cent since 1970 d) 25 per cent since 1990 e) 10 per cent since 1990

Answer 35

c) 50 percent since 1970 (p 2)

Question 36

3. The method of creating and applying knowledge where independent reports of several specialists are synthesized into one broader report is ________. a) interdisciplinary b) multidisciplinary c) disciplinary d) cross-disciplinary e) transdisciplinary

Answer 36

b) multidisciplinary (p 7)

Question 37

4. The United Nations forecasts that by the year 2050, ______ a) the world’s population will be 9.6 billion b) India will lag China as the most populous country ) China will have a population of 2 billion d) the population of Bangladesh will triple to 280 million e) populations of the world’s less developed countries will double

Answer 37

a) the world's population will be 9.6 billion (pg 16)

Question 38

Thomas Malthus did not postulate that ________. a) population growth was geometric b) population growth was arithmetic c) growth in food supply was arithmetic d) population growth would outstrip food supply e) All of the above were postulated.

Answer 38

b) population growth was arithmetic. | He said that population growth was geometric.

Question 39

Which of the following statements about global consumption is false? a) The richest 20 per cent of the global population consumes about 75 per cent of the planetary resources. b) North America and Europe account for 12 per cent of the global popu-lation and almost 40 per cent of the private consumption. c) The poorest 20 per cent of the global population consumes less than 2 per cent of the planetary resources. d) People in the wealthiest countries use 25 times more energy per capita than the world’s poorest people. e) Canadians are among the top per capita consumers of energy.

Answer 39

b) North America and Europe account for 12 per cent of the global popu-lation and almost 40 per cent of the private consumption. (p 21, 23)

Question 40

7. Which of the following was not a factor in the successful establishment of Ontario conservation authorities? a) The provincial government set up 50/50 cost-sharing with municipalities. b) A majority of municipalities in a watershed agreed to work collaboratively. c) Local people have the enthusiasm and conviction to financially support an authority. d) After the province reduced funding, municipalities gained more responsibility in natural resources and environmental management e) All of the above were factors.

Answer 40

c) Local people have the enthusiasm and conviction to financially support an authority.

Question 41

8. How many people in the developing world live at or below $1.25 a day? a) 1 billion b) 3.2 million c) 4.5 million d) 2 billion e) 3.4 billion

Answer 41

a) 1 billion. pg 25

Question 42

9. Which country is among the top per capita producers of industrial and household garbage and hazardous wastes in the world? a) China b) The United States c) India d) Canada e) The Netherlands

Answer 42

d) Canada (p 27)

Question 43

10. Your ecological footprint is the land base required to ________. a) provide the energy you require b) meet your material requirements c) dispose of your wastes d) all of the above e) none of the above

Answer 43

d) all of the above (p 30)

Question 44

11. What causes pressure on the carrying capacity of the planet? a) overconsumption b) pollution c) overpopulation d) all of the above e) none of the above

Answer 44

d) all of the above (p 25)

Question 45

12. The key to sustainability lies in ________. a) enhancing resilience of social-ecological systems b) optimizing isolated components of social-ecological systems c) ensuring that social-economic systems are maintained d) focusing mainly on human needs e) implementation of recycling programs

Answer 45

a) enhancing resilience of social-ecological systems (p 13)

Question 46

13. The number of people on Earth is currently ________. a) 4.2 billion b) 6 billion c) 7.3 billion d) 9 billion e) 10 billion

Answer 46

c) 7.3 billion (p 16)

Question 47

14. A population with a high number of young dependents and a low life expectancy has a population age structure with what shape? a) columnar b) flat c) pyramidal d) square e) circular

Answer 47

c) pyramidal (p 19)

Question 48

15. Demographic transition leads to ________. a) destabilizing of a population b) higher birth rates c) higher death rates d) stabilization of a population e) an overall population increase

Answer 48

d) stabilization of a population (p 21)

Question 49

16. When did we reach the level of urbanization such that over half of the global human population lives in cities? a) 1756 b) 1890 c) 1955 d) 1980 e) 2008

Answer 49

e) 2008 (p 23)

Question 50

T or F: Environmental degradation has often been the cause of past societal collapse.

Answer 50

T (p 26)

Question 51

T or F: 2. Canada is one of the lowest polluters worldwide.

Answer 51

F (p 26-27)

Question 52

T or F: 3. The aim of Millennium Development Goals is to improve human wellbeing.

Answer 52

T (p 26)

Question 53

T or F: One Millennium Development Goal is to achieve equalized wealth and resource access worldwide.

Answer 53

F ( p 26)

Question 54

T or F: The US consumes more energy per capita than Canada.

Answer 54

F (p 23)

Question 55

T or F: Most of Canada’s natural resources and managed by federal government agencies.

Answer 55

F (p 28)

Question 56

T or F: The global ecological footprint currently exceeds Earth’s biocapacity.

Answer 56

T (p 30)

Question 57

T or F: According to Living Planet Index estimates of ecosystem health, tropical LPI is getting higher while temperate LPI is dropping.

Answer 57

F (p 33)

Question 58

T or F: Lower income countries have a higher per capita ecological footprint than higher income countries.

Answer 58

F (p 30-31)

Question 59

Define and differentiate between environment and resources.

Answer 59

The environment is all of Earth’s fundamental components (atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, etc.), while resources are more specific (forests, wildlife, oceans, etc.). (p. 5)

Question 60

Define the two general perspectives of the environment.

Answer 60

In the anthropocentric view, environmental value is defined relative to human interests, wants, and needs. In the ecocentric view, aspects of the environment are valued simply because they exist and are accepted as having the right to exist. (p. 5)

Question 61

Name and define five alternative ways of creating and applying knowledge.

Answer 61

Disciplinary understanding is associated with a single academic discipline. In the multidisciplinary approach, separate reports of different specialists are synthesized. In cross-disciplinary research a disciplinary specialist ‘crosses’ the boundaries of other disciplines to enhance their perspective. Interdisciplinary investigations involve specialists crossing other disciplinary boundaries and engaging with other specialists from the very beginning. A transdisciplinary approach seeks a holistic understanding that crosses or transcends boundaries of many disciplines, where the problem or issue is usually not viewed as in the domain of any one discipline or profession. (p. 7)

Question 62

Explain the five guidelines for a science-based approach to management of resources and the environment.

Answer 62

(1) Focus the science on key issues, and communicate it in a policy-relevant form. (2) Use scientific information to clarify issues, identify potential management options, and estimate consequences of decisions. (3) Clearly and simply communicate key scientific findings to all participants. (4) Evaluate whether or not the final decision is consistent with scientific information. (5) Avoid advocacy of any particular solution. (p. 8)

Question 63

What are the two key concepts of sustainable development?

Answer 63

The concept of the human needs, especially those of the poor, and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs, are both key concepts of sustainable development. (p. 12)

Question 64

What are some findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment?

Answer 64

Environmental degradation is occurring faster than at any time in the past, many of the changes are nonlinear, and once these changes start, the processes of degradation will increase rapidly (p. 15)

Question 65

State Malthus’s position on population and exponential growth, and explain why his views were initially not popular or accepted.

Answer 65

Thomas Malthus pointed out that human population growth was exponential, whereas the growth in food supply was arithmetic, and this difference would lead to famine, disease, and war. His critics disagreed because population growth was generally thought to be beneficial and new food sources were becoming available through colonial expansion and new agricultural technologies. (p. 17)

Question 66

What are the eight Millennium Development goals and what is their purpose?

Answer 66

The eight goals are (1) to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; (2) to achieve universal primary education; (3) to promote greater gender equality and empower women; (4) to reduce child mortality; (5) to improve maternal health; (6) to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; (7) to ensure environmental sustainability; and, (8) to develop a global partnership for development. Their purpose is to improve human wellbeing. (p. 26)

Question 67

How do Canada’s government agencies share authority and responsibility for natural resources and the environment?

Answer 67

Authority and responsibility for natural resources and the environment is divided between the federal and provincial governments, with territorial and municipal governments increasingly having a role. As well, Aboriginal peoples are increasing their role commensurate with their being recognized as a new order of government. The provinces manage crown lands and natural resources. The Canadian North and resources found on or under seabeds off the coasts of Canada are also federal jurisdiction. (p. 28)

Question 68

What are environmental indicators and how are they useful?

Answer 68

Environmental indicators measure environmental change and response, and are used to provide information on environmental problems that enables policy-makers to evaluate their seriousness, to support policy development and the setting of priorities by identifying key factors that cause pressure on the environment, to monitor the effects of policy responses, and to raise public awareness and generate support for government actions. (p. 5, 31)

Question 69

What is the Living Planet Index?

Answer 69

The Living Planet Index quantifies the overall state of planetary ecosystems by tracking populations of vertebrate species from around the world. Separate indices are produced for terrestrial, marine, and freshwater species, and the three trends are averaged to create an aggregated index. (p. 33

Question 70

What is the DPSIR indicator framework?

Answer 70

The DPSIR indicator framework (Drivers-Pressures-State-Impact-Response) was developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and is organized around the key casual mechanisms of environmental problems. (p. 32)

Question 71

What three major failings of government environmental management were identified by Canada’s Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development?

Answer 71

An implementation gap existed, lack of co-ordination and integration is frequent, and performance review processes are often inadequate. Also see figure 1.16 pg 35 for model of the interaction of biophysical and social systems in resource management.