Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

ESS > Topic 1 > Flashcards

Topic 1 Flashcards

(57 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is an environmental value system?

A

A world view or paradigm that shapes the way an individual or group perceive and evaluate environmental issues, influenced by cultural, religious, economic and socio-political contexts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does ecocentric mean?

A

Integrates social, spiritual and environmental dimensions into a holistic ideal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the focus of an ecocentric perspective?

A

Puts ecology and nature as central to humanity and emphasizes a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency of societies.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does an ecocentric perspective prioritize?

A

Prioritizes biorights and emphasizes the importance of education and encourages self-restraint in human behaviour.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is an anthropocentric perspective?

A

Argues that humans must sustainably manage the global system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What tools does an anthropocentric approach use?

A

Uses taxes, environmental regulation and legislation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is encouraged in anthropocentric debates?

A

Debate is encouraged to reach a consensual, pragmatic approach to solving environmental problems.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does a technocentric perspective argue?

A

Argues that technological developments can provide solutions to environmental problems.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the view of technocentrism regarding human role?

A

A largely optimistic view of the role humans can play in improving the lot of humanity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does technocentrism encourage?

A

Scientific research is encouraged in order to form policies and to understand how systems can be controlled, manipulated or changed to solve resource depletion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is deemed necessary in a technocentric agenda?

A

A pro-growth agenda is deemed necessary for society’s improvement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What do deep ecologists believe?

A

Place intrinsic importance on nature for the humanity of man and believe ecological laws should dictate human morality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the cornucopian perspective?

A

Believe that man will always find a way out of any difficulties, either political, scientific or technological and believe resource replacement will solve resource depletion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What defines a society?

A

An arbitrary group of individuals who share some common characteristics such as geographical location, cultural background, historical timeframe, religious perspective, etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a System Approach?

A

A way of visualizing a complex set of interactions which may be ecological or societal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does a Store represent in a system?

A

Usually rectangles in a diagram and represent a temporary or permanent store of matter in a system, e.g. a glacier in the water system/cycle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a Flow in a system?

A

A movement into or out of a system and between stores in a system (energy or matter).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a Transfer in a system?

A

A flow with a change in location (water entering a lake).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is a Transformation in a system?

A

A flow with a change in the chemical nature or state of matter, e.g. condensation in the water cycle (water vapour to water liquid).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is an Open System?

A

Exchanges both energy and matter across its boundary.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is a Closed System?

A

Exchanges only energy across its boundary.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is an Isolated System?

A

A hypothetical concept in which neither energy nor matter is exchanged across the boundary.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is a Model in environmental science?

Study These Flashcards
A

A simplified version of reality that can be used to understand how a system works and to predict how it will respond to change.

24
Q

What is the Biosphere?

Study These Flashcards
A

The part of the Earth inhabited by organisms that extends from the upper parts of the atmosphere to deep within the Earth’s crust.

25
What does the First law of thermodynamics state?
The principle of conservation of energy, which states that energy in an isolated system can be transformed but cannot be created or destroyed.
26
What does the Second law of thermodynamics state?
The entropy of a system increases over time. Entropy is a measure of the amount of disorder in a system.
27
What is Stable equilibrium?
The condition of a system in which there is a tendency for it to return to the previous equilibrium following disturbance.
28
What is Steady-state equilibrium?
The condition of an open system in which there are no changes over the longer term, but in which there may be oscillations in the very short term.
29
What is a Tipping Point?
The minimum amount of change within a system that will destabilize it, causing it to reach a new equilibrium or stable state.
30
What is a Negative feedback loop?
Feedback which is stabilizing and occurs when the output of a process inhibits or reverses the operation of the same process in such a way as to reduce change.
31
What is a Positive feedback loop?
Destabilizing feedback which will tend to amplify changes and drive the system toward a tipping point where a new equilibrium is adopted.
32
What is Resilience (of a system)?
The tendency of a system to avoid tipping points and maintain stability.
33
What is Time lag in a system?
The speed of response to a change in a system.
34
What are Natural Resources?
Anything that the Earth supplies which can be used by humans, e.g. coal, iron ore, forests, water, air.
35
What is Sustainability?
The use and management of resources that allows full natural replacement of the resources exploited and full recovery of the ecosystems affected by their extraction and use.
36
What is Natural Capital?
Natural resources that can supply a natural income of goods or services.
37
What is Natural Income?
The yield obtained from natural resources (not financial).
38
What are Goods?
They are physical items, e.g. timber, fibre, food, minerals.
39
What are Services in ecosystems?
Ecosystems may provide life-supporting services such as water replenishment, flood and erosion protection.
40
What is REDD+?
A mechanism that has been under negotiation by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change since 2005, to mitigate climate change by enhancing forest management in developing countries.
41
What is Sustainable Development?
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
42
What are Environmental Indicators?
Anything that you can define to describe and measure a component of the environment.
43
What was the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA)?
A collaborative research project that measured 24 indicators of ecosystems and their services.
44
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?
A process undertaken prior to a decision being made about a proposed new development to ensure sustainable development.
45
What is a Baseline Study?
Ecological baseline studies include surveys to identify patterns in vegetation, special sites and unique habitats, important (keystone) species, rare (red-listed) species.
46
What is a Mitigation Strategy?
Designed to limit the impact of the project and protect the environment.
47
What is an Ecological Footprint?
The area of land and water required to sustainably provide all resources at the rate at which they are being consumed.
48
What is Non-point Source Pollution?
Pollution which arises from numerous widely dispersed origins.
49
What is Point Source Pollution?
Pollution arising from a single clearly identifiable site.
50
What does Biodegradable mean?
Capable of being broken down by natural biological processes.
51
What is Pollution?
The addition of a substance or an agent to an environment through human activity, at a rate greater than that at which it can be rendered harmless.
52
What are Types of pollution?
Organic or inorganic substances, light, sound or thermal energy, biological agents or invasive species.
53
What is a persistent pollutant?
One that is not biodegradable and continues to exist in the environment without intervention from humans.
54
What is acute pollution?
Arising from a one-off event such as an oil spill.
55
What is chronic pollution?
Arising from the long-lasting release of a pollutant with the effects lasting for a long time.
56
What are Primary pollutants?
Active on emission/release e.g. CO2.
57
What are Secondary pollutants?
Arising from primary pollutants undergoing physical or chemical change e.g. tropospheric ozone in photochemical smog.

ESS (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions