Foundations of environmental management

Question 1

What does ISO 14001:2015 define as the environment?

Answer 1

The surroundings in which an organisation operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelationships

The definition emphasizes the complexity and interconnectedness of various environmental elements.

Question 2

What are the different layers of surroundings according to ISO 14001:2015?

Answer 2

Local, regional, and global systems

Surroundings can encompass multiple scales, affecting environmental management strategies.

Question 3

How is biodiversity defined?

Answer 3

The variety of species living on earth such as plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi

Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem balance and health.

Question 4

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 4

A specific area where species interact with one another and the physical environment such as weather and landscapes

Ecosystems are essential for understanding environmental interactions.

Question 5

What does climate refer to?

Answer 5

The long-term average of weather over a period of time

Climate can be measured in various timeframes, such as months, years, and millennia.

Question 6

What is the importance of inter-relationship in environmental science?

Answer 6

Many issues occur when one system is altered as a result of changes in another

Understanding inter-relationships helps in managing complex environmental problems.

Question 7

What disciplines are involved in environmental management?

Answer 7

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Medical science
• Economics
• Law
• Social sciences

Environmental management is multi-disciplinary, addressing various aspects of human and ecological interactions.

Question 8

What is the primary concern of environmental management?

Answer 8

Monitoring changes in the environment and predicting future trends while maximizing human benefits and minimizing environmental deterioration

The focus is on managing human activities rather than the environment itself.

Question 9

What are some objectives of environmental management?

Answer 9

• Identifying environmental issues
• Finding solutions to issues
• Establishing limits to avoid overuse
• Minimizing the use of natural resources
• Regeneration strategies of degraded environments
• Reviewing existing technologies for eco-friendliness

These objectives guide the strategies employed in environmental management.

Question 10

What barriers can affect good standards of environmental management within organizations?

Answer 10

• Complexity
• Competing and conflicting demands
• Behavioral issues

These barriers can hinder effective environmental management and require careful navigation.

Question 11

What is a major challenge organizations face regarding environmental issues?

Answer 11

Lack of understanding of complexity involved in addressing environmental issues

Many organizations do not grasp the intricate factors required for effective environmental management.

Question 12

What is a key reason organizations struggle with environmental management?

Answer 12

Lack of expertise in the emerging field of environmental management

Environmental management is still a relatively new field, leading to gaps in knowledge.

Question 13

What can override an organization’s focus on environmental management?

Answer 13

Competing and conflicting demands such as production, sales, and service

Many organizations prioritize immediate business needs over environmental considerations.

Question 14

What is a significant barrier for start-ups and small organizations in environmental management?

Answer 14

High costs of developing and implementing effective environmental policies

Limited resources make environmental management seem inaccessible.

Question 15

How do individuals often view their role in environmental change?

Answer 15

As the duty of world leaders and politicians rather than themselves or their organization

This mindset can hinder personal and organizational responsibility in environmental issues.

Question 16

What is a common term used to describe the current environmental problem?

Answer 16

‘Crisis’

The term ‘crisis’ reflects the urgency of addressing environmental challenges.

Question 17

List some key environmental issues facing the world today.

Answer 17

• Climate change
• Ozone depletion
• Degraded air and water quality
• Land contamination
• Deforestation
• Land use change
• Biodiversity loss

These issues are interconnected and contribute to the overall environmental crisis.

Question 18

What are some closely related issues that may not be considered environmental problems?

Answer 18

• Population growth
• Urbanization
• Disease
• Displacement

These factors are often linked to environmental challenges.

Question 19

What is vital for all existence regarding air quality?

Answer 19

The quality of the air we breathe

Air quality is essential both locally and globally and has immediate and long-term impacts.

Question 20

What determines the extent of air pollution’s impact?

Answer 20

Concentration and type of pollutant

Different pollutants have varying effects on health and the environment.

Question 21

What is trans-boundary pollution commonly referred to as?

Answer 21

‘Acid rain’

This phenomenon occurs when pollutants like sulphur dioxide transform and affect regions far from their source.

Question 22

What happens to sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere?

Answer 22

It transforms into sulphate, which falls as rain

This process illustrates the long-range effects of air pollution.

Question 23

What are the receptors of air pollution?

Answer 23

Human beings, populations, or ecosystems

These receptors experience the effects of air pollution from various sources.

Question 24

What are PCBs?

Answer 24

Poly-Chlorinated biphenyls, organic pollutants that are highly toxic and accumulate in body fats.

Question 25

How do PCBs affect polar bears?

Answer 25

Polar bears experience the impact of PCBs despite being far removed from the original emission due to bioaccumulation.

Question 26

What are the levels of concentration for pollution distribution?

Answer 26

* Global * Hemispheric * Continental * Regional * Local * Through to the receptor

Question 27

What health issues are caused by air pollution in the UK?

Answer 27

Health effects include cardiovascular disease, hospital admissions, and premature deaths due to inhalation of particulate matter.

Question 28

Define noise pollution.

Answer 28

Unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activity.

Question 29

What types of human activities contribute to noise pollution?

Answer 29

* Transport * Road traffic * Rail traffic * Air traffic * Industrial activity

Question 30

True or False: There are generally accepted health risks associated with environmental noise levels.

Answer 30

False

Question 31

What are some health problems caused by noise pollution according to National Geographic?

Answer 31

* Hearing loss * Stress * High blood pressure

Question 32

What is the purpose of Michel Andre's project, LIDO?

Answer 32

To collect data on ocean sounds and analyze the effects of underwater noise on marine animals.

Question 33

What is waste defined as?

Answer 33

An unusable or unwanted substance or material that cannot be reused, refurbished, or recycled.

Question 34

What are the environmental impacts of improper waste disposal?

Answer 34

* Pollution of land, water, and air * Contribution to global climate change * Depletion of non-renewable resources

Question 35

What is light pollution?

Answer 35

The inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light that can have serious environmental consequences.

Question 36

List the types of light pollution.

Answer 36

* Glare * Skyglow * Light trespass * Clutter

Question 37

How do LED streetlights affect moth populations according to recent studies?

Answer 37

LED streetlights produce worse light pollution for insects, reducing moth caterpillar abundance significantly.

Question 38

What are the adverse effects of persistent exposure to odours?

Answer 38

* Headaches * Throat and eye irritation * Nausea * Sleeplessness * Anxiety * Stress * Respiratory problems

Question 39

What gases are emitted from landfills and livestock facilities?

Answer 39

* Methane * Hydrogen sulphide

Question 40

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 40

The natural warming of the earth caused by gases in the atmosphere trapping heat from the sun.

Question 41

What has caused the recent increase in carbon dioxide concentrations?

Answer 41

The industrial revolution and the burning of fossil fuels.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: The greenhouse effect is caused by _______.

Answer 42

[greenhouse gases]

Question 43

What historical trend is noted about carbon dioxide concentrations?

Answer 43

They did not exceed 300 parts per million (ppm) for a long period until the industrial revolution.

Question 44

What is the predicted global population by 2050 according to the World Bank?

Answer 44

9 billion people ## Footnote This prediction indicates a significant increase in demand for resources.

Question 45

By how much will agricultural production need to increase by 2050?

Answer 45

69% increase ## Footnote This increase is necessary to meet the needs of the growing population.

Question 46

What percentage increase in water withdrawals is expected by 2050?

Answer 46

15% increase ## Footnote This increase reflects the rising demand for freshwater resources.

Question 47

What percentage of the global population currently lives in water-scarce areas?

Answer 47

40% ## Footnote This figure is predicted to increase as pressure on water resources grows.

Question 48

How many people could be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030 according to the Global Water Institute?

Answer 48

700 million people ## Footnote This displacement is a significant concern for future resource management.

Question 49

What are some common sources of waste that reach the ocean?

Answer 49

* Littering * Sewage * Agricultural run-off * Toxic chemicals ## Footnote These sources contribute to serious ocean pollution issues.

Question 50

What are the consequences of ocean pollution mentioned in the text?

Answer 50

* Contamination of food chains * Failure in the reproductive systems of marine animals * Depletion of oxygen content in the water ## Footnote These effects threaten marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Question 51

What is one of the biggest contributors to ocean pollution?

Answer 51

Plastic ## Footnote Plastic pollution has become a major environmental issue in recent years.

Question 52

How many seabirds are estimated to die each year due to plastic debris?

Answer 52

More than a million ## Footnote This figure highlights the severe impact of plastic pollution on wildlife.

Question 53

What was the rate of deforestation between 2015 to 2020 according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation?

Answer 53

10 million hectares per year ## Footnote This rate indicates a significant loss of forest area.

Question 54

How many hectares of forest have been lost since 1990?

Answer 54

Over 420 million hectares ## Footnote This loss has serious implications for biodiversity and climate change.

Question 55

What is the primary factor contributing to deforestation?

Answer 55

Agricultural activities ## Footnote Agriculture is a major driver behind forest loss and biodiversity decline.

Question 56

What is the estimated number of people that soil erosion may compromise in the near future?

Answer 56

At least 3.2 billion people ## Footnote This estimate underscores the global significance of soil health.

Question 57

What natural process has been significantly accelerated by human activities according to the text?

Answer 57

Soil erosion ## Footnote Unsustainable practices like deforestation and intensive agriculture worsen this issue.

Question 58

What role do trees and shrubs play in protecting soil?

Answer 58

* Shield the ground from raindrops * Provide shade to reduce soil surface temperature ## Footnote These functions help maintain soil integrity and prevent erosion.

Question 59

What is the term used for the total amount of raw materials extracted to meet demands?

Answer 59

Material footprint ## Footnote This concept reflects the environmental impact of consumption patterns.

Question 60

What does the United Nations predict about the rate of natural resource extraction by 2060?

Answer 60

It will grow from 92 billion in 2017 to around 190 billion metric tons ## Footnote This projection emphasizes the need for sustainable resource management.

Question 61

What proportion of the world's habitable land is used for agriculture?

Answer 61

Half ## Footnote This extensive use of land has implications for biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Question 62

What link did a study by The World Bank find between economic inequality and environmental impacts?

Answer 62

The richest 10% are accountable for around 50% of global emissions ## Footnote This highlights the disproportionate impact of wealth on environmental degradation.

Question 63

True or False: Air pollution primarily affects affluent societies more than emerging economies.

Answer 63

False ## Footnote Emerging economies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

Question 64

What significant change in crop yields is mentioned as a consequence of climate change?

Answer 64

Changes will impact societies the most ## Footnote This underscores the vulnerability of food systems to climate-related changes.