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Intro to Environmental Science > Evir. Science Exam #1 > Flashcards

Evir. Science Exam #1 Flashcards

(75 cards)

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1
Q

Environmental Literacy

A

a basic understanding of how ecosystems function and of the impact of our choices on the environment (ability to understand environmental problems)

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2
Q

Environmentalism

A

a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements

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3
Q

Ecocentric Worldview

A

System Centered: value is given to the importance of the ecosystem as a whole, including interactions between species as well as natural processes

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4
Q

If the ice caps melt in Greenland and Antarctica the water level would rise

A

70 meters

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5
Q

What is Environmental Science?

A

the study of the intersection of human society and the natural world

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6
Q

Wicked Problems

A

large, complex social problems where there is no clear solution

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7
Q

People, planet, and profit need to be looked at for

A

sustainability

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8
Q

How we view the would and our existence is influenced by

A

cultural, religious, and personal experiences

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9
Q

Anthropocentric Worldview

A

Human-centered: only humans have intrinsic value and resources are here to meet human needs and wants

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10
Q

Biocentric Worldview

A

Life Centered: Humans and other species have a right to exist and are worthy of protection equal to all other species (all species are equal)

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11
Q

Sustainable Development

A

meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same

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12
Q

17 Sustainable Development Goals

A
  1. No Poverty
  2. Zero Hunger
  3. Good Health and Well-Being
  4. Quality Education
  5. Gender equality
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation
  7. Affordable and clean energy
  8. Decent work and economic growth
  9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  10. Reduced Inequalities
  11. Sustainable cities and communities
  12. Responsible consumption and production
  13. Climate action
  14. Life Below water
  15. Life on Land
  16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
  17. Partnerships for the goals
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13
Q

Anthropocene

A

a new geologic epoch marked by human impact

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14
Q

4 Characteristics of a Sustainable Ecosystem

A

rely on renewable energy, recycle matter, have population control, depend on local biodiversity

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15
Q

What epoch do we live in?

A

Holocene Epoch which began 12,000 years ago

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16
Q

Which characteristic of sustainable ecosystems is the most important?

A

Depending on the local biodiversity

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17
Q

Population Control is kept in check by

A

predators, disease, and competition

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18
Q

Social Traps

A

Decisions produce short-term benefits, but hurt society in the long run

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19
Q

Social trap Example

A

Tragedy of the Commons: each person acts in a way to maximize his/her own benfit

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20
Q

Ways to stop social traps are?

A

education, privatization, and regulation

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21
Q

Science is NOT

A

subjective, ethical, or spiritual questions

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22
Q

Observation

A

information gathered with our senses or equipment that extends our senses

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23
Q

Inference

A

conclusions drawn based on those obersvations

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24
Q

Scientific Method is used to

A

propose hypotheses, systematically test predictions, base conclusions on evidence

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25
Steps of the Scientific Method
make observations, form hypothesis, and share information
26
Hypothesis
a possible explantation fo an observation based on previous knowledge
27
Experimental Prediction
a statement that identifies what is expected to happen if the hypothesis being tested is correct
28
Hypothesis must be
testable and falsifiable
29
Hypotheses can NEVER
be proven correct
30
Theory
a widely accepted explanation for a natural phenomenon that has been extensively and rigorously scientifically tested
31
Correlation
when 2 things occur together, but 1 doesn't necessarily cause the other
32
Observational Studies
no manipulation of subjects and data collected in the real world which only correlations
33
Experimental Studies
Uses test and control groups and data is collected by manipulating variables that can show cause and effect
34
Cause and Effect
when 2 things occur together, but 1 directly occurs (the effect) in response to, or as a result of the other (the cause)
35
Test group
groups exposed to different levels of the independent variable
36
Control group
provides the standard of comparison for the test group (the "baseline")
37
independent variable
the factor being manipulated/changed
38
dependent variable
the response of an organism or the characteristic measured (observed)
39
Control variable
]all other things which should be held constant during the experiment
40
p-value
certainty is expressed as probability value
41
If the P-value is less than or equal to .05
there is a significant difference
42
If the P-value is greater than .05
there is not a significant difference
43
When analyzing information
watch for author bias, evaluate the evidence, be skeptical, and be open minded
44
Hasty Generalization
draws a broad conclusion on too little evidence
45
Red Herring
presents extra information to distract from the topic
46
Ad Hominem
attacks the person/group presenting the opposite view
47
Appeal to authority
makes the case an "expert" agrees, so the claim must be true
48
Appeal to complexity
States the issue is too complicated to understand
49
False Dichotomy
sets up an "either/or choice"
50
empirical science
a scientific approach that investigates the natural world through systematic observation and experimentation
51
applied science
research whose findings are used to help solve practical problem
52
Applied science knowledge is used to
address problems or needs
53
Empirical science is used to
investigate the natural world
54
The Greenland Vikings mad mistakes of
overgrazing, harvesting renewable sources to fast (timber), land could not recover from planting
55
Triple Bottom Line
Solutions must be good for the environment, good for society, and affordable.
56
What was the relationship between the Greenland Vikings and the Inuits?
the Vikings had a disdain for the Inuit and developed no meaningful contact or information sharing
57
What is the UN's sustainable development goal called?
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
58
By 2100 human will
strain the Earth's resources like never before
59
The Planetary Boundaries framework has
3 boundaries: below (safe), in the zone of uncertainty (increasing risk), and beyond the zone of uncertainty (high risk)
60
Below Boundary
Stratospheric, ocean acidification, and freshwater use
61
Zone of uncertainty
climate change, land system change
62
Beyond Zone of Uncertainty
biogeochemical flows, species extinctions, functional diversity
63
Why is environmental literacy important?
to understand the complexities of environmental problems and the impact our choices have on the environment
64
Examples of wicked problems
sustainable energy, climate change, biodiversity, world hunger
65
environmental ethics
The personal philosophy that influences how a person interacts with their natural environment and how one responds to environmental problems
66
Anthropocentric Worldview Example
Thinking that all the animals and plants in the world are on the Earth for humans to enjoy
67
Biocentric Worldview Example
A tree's life is just as important as a human's life
68
Ecocentric Worldview
Strip mining because it harms the environment but it makes natural resources for the human population that needs them
69
Example of relying on renewable energy
using solar panels
70
Example of using matter sustainably
purchasing products in packaging that can be recycled
71
Example of having population control
limiting commercial fishing
72
Example of depending on local biodiversity
planting more trees, protecting natural areasplanting more trees, protecting natural areas
73
The best approach to social traps is
regulation because managing a common resource than can't be owned
74
Example of Ad Hominem
Environmental groups called for a reduction in CO2 emissions, suggesting that financial interest from ff companies who profit oil production cause them to suppress data that might show CO2 emissions contribute to climate change
75
Example of Appeal to Complexity
When claiming there is no way to know the effect of lead since humans are exposed to so many toxins thus w e should do nothing about the use of lead

Intro to Environmental Science (3 decks)

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