Evir. Science Exam #1 Flashcards

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
Q

Steps of the Scientific Method

A

make observations, form hypothesis, and share information

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26
Q

Hypothesis

A

a possible explantation fo an observation based on previous knowledge

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27
Q

Experimental Prediction

A

a statement that identifies what is expected to happen if the hypothesis being tested is correct

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28
Q

Hypothesis must be

A

testable and falsifiable

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29
Q

Hypotheses can NEVER

A

be proven correct

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30
Q

Theory

A

a widely accepted explanation for a natural phenomenon that has been extensively and rigorously scientifically tested

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31
Q

Correlation

A

when 2 things occur together, but 1 doesn’t necessarily cause the other

32
Q

Observational Studies

A

no manipulation of subjects and data collected in the real world which only correlations

33
Q

Experimental Studies

A

Uses test and control groups and data is collected by manipulating variables that can show cause and effect

34
Q

Cause and Effect

A

when 2 things occur together, but 1 directly occurs (the effect) in response to, or as a result of the other (the cause)

35
Q

Test group

A

groups exposed to different levels of the independent variable

36
Q

Control group

A

provides the standard of comparison for the test group (the “baseline”)

37
Q

independent variable

A

the factor being manipulated/changed

38
Q

dependent variable

A

the response of an organism or the characteristic measured (observed)

39
Q

Control variable

A

]all other things which should be held constant during the experiment

40
Q

p-value

A

certainty is expressed as probability value

41
Q

If the P-value is less than or equal to .05

A

there is a significant difference

42
Q

If the P-value is greater than .05

A

there is not a significant difference

43
Q

When analyzing information

A

watch for author bias, evaluate the evidence, be skeptical, and be open minded

44
Q

Hasty Generalization

A

draws a broad conclusion on too little evidence

45
Q

Red Herring

A

presents extra information to distract from the topic

46
Q

Ad Hominem

A

attacks the person/group presenting the opposite view

47
Q

Appeal to authority

A

makes the case an “expert” agrees, so the claim must be true

48
Q

Appeal to complexity

A

States the issue is too complicated to understand

49
Q

False Dichotomy

A

sets up an “either/or choice”

50
Q

empirical science

A

a scientific approach that investigates the natural world through systematic observation and experimentation

51
Q

applied science

A

research whose findings are used to help solve practical problem

52
Q

Applied science knowledge is used to

A

address problems or needs

53
Q

Empirical science is used to

A

investigate the natural world

54
Q

The Greenland Vikings mad mistakes of

A

overgrazing, harvesting renewable sources to fast (timber), land could not recover from planting

55
Q

Triple Bottom Line

A

Solutions must be good for the environment, good for society, and affordable.

56
Q

What was the relationship between the Greenland Vikings and the Inuits?

A

the Vikings had a disdain for the Inuit and developed no meaningful contact or information sharing

57
Q

What is the UN’s sustainable development goal called?

A

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

58
Q

By 2100 human will

A

strain the Earth’s resources like never before

59
Q

The Planetary Boundaries framework has

A

3 boundaries: below (safe), in the zone of uncertainty (increasing risk), and beyond the zone of uncertainty (high risk)

60
Q

Below Boundary

A

Stratospheric, ocean acidification, and freshwater use

61
Q

Zone of uncertainty

A

climate change, land system change

62
Q

Beyond Zone of Uncertainty

A

biogeochemical flows, species extinctions, functional diversity

63
Q

Why is environmental literacy important?

A

to understand the complexities of environmental problems and the impact our choices have on the environment

64
Q

Examples of wicked problems

A

sustainable energy, climate change, biodiversity, world hunger

65
Q

environmental ethics

A

The personal philosophy that influences how a person interacts with their natural environment and how one responds to environmental problems

66
Q

Anthropocentric Worldview Example

A

Thinking that all the animals and plants in the world are on the Earth for humans to enjoy

67
Q

Biocentric Worldview Example

A

A tree’s life is just as important as a human’s life

68
Q

Ecocentric Worldview

A

Strip mining because it harms the environment but it makes natural resources for the human population that needs them

69
Q

Example of relying on renewable energy

A

using solar panels

70
Q

Example of using matter sustainably

A

purchasing products in packaging that can be recycled

71
Q

Example of having population control

A

limiting commercial fishing

72
Q

Example of depending on local biodiversity

A

planting more trees, protecting natural areasplanting more trees, protecting natural areas

73
Q

The best approach to social traps is

A

regulation because managing a common resource than can’t be owned

74
Q

Example of Ad Hominem

A

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
Q

Example of Appeal to Complexity

A

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