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ESS 2024-2025 > ESS Chapter 1: Foundations of ESS > Flashcards

ESS Chapter 1: Foundations of ESS Flashcards

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1
Q

Environment

A

The external surrounding that affects the creature’s survival and how it acts

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2
Q

System

A

Something made from separate parts that are link together and affect each other

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3
Q

Society

A

The group of individuals that share common characteristics. E.g religion, culture & history

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4
Q

Chernobyl Disaster

A

In Ukraine 1986, a power plant exploded causing sever radiation & death. People we exposed to the radioactive iodine for four years

It made Europeans more aware of the potential environmental hazards, leading to a rise of advocacy group.

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5
Q

Green Revolution

A

Rapid diffusion of new agricultural technology in the 1950s - 1960s. Especially new high yield seeds and fertilisers

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6
Q

The Industrial Revolution

A

The rapid development of industry with introduction of machinery that began in the 18th century
It was characterised by the use of steam power, growth of factories and the mass production of manufactured goods

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7
Q

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

A

A book written by Rachel Carson which is widely credited with helping launch the environmental movement.

The book documented the detrimental effects of ddt and other pesticides ides on the environment, particularly on birds. She accused the chemical industry for spreading disinformation

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8
Q

DDT

A

An insecticide that is used all over the world in 1940s and reach its maximum usage in 1960s.

Due to concerns of its possible adverse effects on the health of humans and wildlife, it is banned in the USA IN 1972

Most MEDC banned the usage of it but some countries still use it. WHO band DDT

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9
Q

The Gaia model

A

Views the earth as a living organisms. The earth has a ‘disease’

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10
Q

EVS

A

A particular world or a set of paradigms which shaped the way an individual or a group people perceive and evaluate environmental issues.

It is influenced by cultural, economic and sociopolitical context

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11
Q

Technocentrism

A

A philosophy that values technology and believes that people can invent their way out of any issue

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12
Q

Ecocentrism

A

A philosophy that values the environment and believes that all living things have intrinsic moral value

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13
Q

Anthropocentrism

A

A philosophy that values people over all other living things and believes that resources should be conserved for future generations

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14
Q

Cornucopian

A

Extreme technocentrist. Their point of view on world population growth is that, technological advances will rescue us from exceeding the world’s carrying capacity. People who are optimistic about world population growth

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15
Q

Deep ecologist

A

An extreme ecocentrist. Believes that nature holds an important message for how we should live. That natural and environmental law should dictate human morality. Endangered species and unique landscapes have the right to remain unharmed. Favours self restraint and individual action, deep mistrust of technology.

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16
Q

Acid rain

A

Rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas (Sulfur dioxide & nitrogen oxide) is combine with water

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17
Q

Fossil fuel combustion

A

Burning of coal, oil and other fossil fuels. The heat energy released is transformed into kinetic energy then to electricity that is used by humans.

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18
Q

Biosphere

A

The part of the earth where life exists. Extend from the atmosphere to below the ground

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19
Q

Photosynthesis

A

Conversion of CO2, H20 & light to biomass & O2

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20
Q

Biomass

A

The mass of organic material in an organism or ecosystem per unit area

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21
Q

Respiration

A

Transforming biomass into CO2 & H20

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22
Q

Trophic level

A

Each step in a food chain & a food web

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23
Q

Storage

A

A place where matter or energy is kept in a system

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24
Q

Biotic

A

Living

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25
Abiotic
Non living
26
Flows
Inputs and outputs of energy and matter in a system
27
Process
Transfers or transforms of energy or matter
28
Transfers
Change in location
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Transformation
A change in chemical nature, state or energy
30
Inputs
Additions to a given system
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Outputs
The goods, services and ideas that result from the conversion of inputs
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Open system
Organic systems that exchange both matter & energy across their boundaries, E.g Humans & ecosystems
33
Closed system
Only energy is exchanged across the boundaries, not matter. E.g The earth
34
Isolated system
A system that can exchange neither matter nor energy with its surroundings. E.g The universe
35
Model (Definition)
A simplified version of reality. Used to understand how a system work and predict how it will respond to changes. They can show flows and storages within systems
36
Model (Strengths)
1. Easy for others to understand 2. Simplify complex systems 3. One can theoretically change an input and explore what will happen, which takes less time than doing it irl
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Model (Limitations)
1. Usually too simplistic & not all factors are considered 2. Can be biased if a person made it 3. Can be interpreted differently if unclear
38
First law of thermodynamics
Energy can be transferred and transformed but cannot be created or destroyed.
39
Second law of thermodynamics
Energy transfer and transformation is not 100% efficient. In any energy conversion, there is less usable energy at the end than at the beginning.
40
Entropy
The amount of disorder in a system
41
Equilibrium
A state of balance
42
Steady-state equilibrium
Overall stability in a system remains despite constant inputs and outputs of energy and matter. No long term changes but some short term
43
Static equilibrium
No inputs and outputs of matter and energy and no change in a system
44
Stable equilibrium
System tends to return to the same equilibrium after a disturbance
45
Unstable equilibrium
System forms a new equilibrium after disturbance
46
Positive feedback
Occurs when a change in a system leads to additional or increased change
47
Negative feedback
Feedback that counteracts any change away from the equilibrium, contributing to stability
48
Tipping point
Threshold level at which a problem causes a fundamental and irreversible shift in a behaviour or a system
49
Transpiration
Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant
50
Resilience
The tendency to avoid tipping points and maintain stability through steady state equilibrium.
51
Diversity
Variety, a condition of having many different types of forms
52
Sustainability
The use global resources at a rate which allows natural regeneration and minimises damage to the environment
53
Natural capital
Natural resources that can produce a sustainable, natural income of goods and services
54
Natural income
The yield obtained from natural resources
55
Natural resources
Raw materials provided by nature
56
Per capita
The amount of something per person
57
Sustainable development
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
58
Sustainable yield
The natural income that can be exploited each year without depleting its original stock, or affecting its potential from replenishment.
59
Replenishable
Capacity for a resource to replenish itself even if it takes a long time
60
Renewable source
A natural source that can be replaced at the same rate at which it is consumed. Can be used over and over again
61
Non-renewable resources
Resources that cannot be replenished or renewed, following the removal of natural capital.
62
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Process which reviews the potential impact of anthropogenic activities with respect to their general environmental consequences
63
Ecological footprint
The impact of a person or a community on the environment, expressed in the amount land required to sustained their use of natural resources. Higher in MEDCs than LEDCs
64
The UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA)
The first major global audit of the health of ecosystems in 2005. Highlighting their degradation (The loss of natural productivity through overuse or destruction). Gave an appraisal of conditions on the world’s ecosystem and the services they provide.
65
LEDCs
Less economically developed countries, smaller ecological footprint, less use of fossil fuels and primarily plant-based diet
66
MEDCs
More economically developed countries. Larger ecological footprint, more use of fossil fuels, more industry, meat-based diet
67
Pollution
An addition of a substance or an agent to the environment by human activity, at a rate greater than at which it is rendered harmless by the environment. It has appreciable effects on the organisms within
68
Pollutant
A substance that causes pollution
69
Point source pollution
Pollutants discharged from a single, identifiable location
70
Non-point source pollution
Pollutants that does not have a single point of release, open, loop and recycling, when materials are reused to form new products.
71
Primary pollution
A pollutant that is put directly into the air by human activity
72
Secondary pollution
Formed when primary pollutants undergo a variety of reactions with the chemicals in the atmosphere.
73
Acute pollution
Large amounts of pollutants released in a short period of time, causing a lot of harm. However, easier to clean than chronic pollution.
74
Chronic pollution
The long-term release of a pollutant in small amounts, harder to clean and exist on a larger scale.
75
Persistent pollutants
Cannot be broken down by living organisms and are passed along food chains
76
Biodegradable pollutants
Not stored in biological matter or passed along food chains. They can be broken down.
77
Bioaccumulation
The build up of non-biodegradable chemicals in the body
78
Biomagnification
The process in which the concentration of a chemical increases up the food chain. This means that the top predators will have most concentration in their bodies.
79
Direct measurements of pollution
A form of monitoring pollution in which the amount of pollutants in the air/soil/water is recorded. E.g: Measuring the acidity of the air, measuring the amount of lead in the air, the amount of pesticides emitted by a diesel engine
80
Indirect measurements of pollution
A form of monitoring pollution through the effects on biotic or abiotic factors, which are the result of pollutants. This includes, 1. Measuring abiotic factors as a result of pollutants (O2 content in water) 2. Recording the presence/absence of a species (rat tailed maggot/leafy lichens on trees)
81
3 ways of pollution management
1. Altering human activities 2. Controlling the release of the pollutant 3. Clean up and restoration of damaged system
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Altering human activities
Changing human behaviour which will affect therefore reduce the amount of pollutants released. By promoting alternative technologies, lifestyle & values 1. Campaigns 2. Education 3. Government legislation
83
Controlling release of pollutant
The release/production of pollutants is not completely stopped but adhered, regulated or prevented.
84
Clean up and restoration of damaged systems
Strategies to recover damaged ecosystems by extracting or removing pollutants and replanting or restoring lost or depleted populations or communities

ESS 2024-2025 (4 decks)

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