Which can be excluded from the list of environmental impacts of mining?(1 point)
Responses
habitats are destroyed
habitats are destroyed
harmful gases are released
harmful gases are released
water is polluted
water is polluted
sea level is rising
sea level is rising
Which energy source releases the most carbon dioxide?(1 point)
Responses
solar
solar
coal
coal
hydroelectric
hydroelectric
wind
coal
What happens to infrared radiation released by the Earth if there is an increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?(1 point)
Responses
It is converted to solar energy.
It is converted to solar energy.
It escapes and cools the atmosphere.
It escapes and cools the atmosphere.
It is converted to carbon dioxide.
It is converted to carbon dioxide.
It is absorbed and heats the atmosphere.
It is absorbed and heats the atmosphere.
With such huge increases in population, why has there not been a direct and equivalent increase in urban development (i.e., why is it such a small proportion of habitable land use)?(1 point)
Responses
Many people can live in small spaces, such as high rises in cities.
Many people can live in small spaces, such as high rises in cities.
Habitable land is already being used for livestock and crops.
Habitable land is already being used for livestock and crops.
People want to live close to where they work, which is usually the city or suburbs.
People want to live close to where they work, which is usually the city or suburbs.
There is not enough habitable land left for further urban development.
There is not enough habitable land left for further urban development.
In almost all chains of consequences, what happens over time as the consequences unfold?(1 point)
Responses
Consequences increase in size and scale and become longer lasting.
Consequences increase in size and scale and become longer lasting.
Consequences travel from one type of habitat to another, until multiple habitats are affected.
Consequences travel from one type of habitat to another, until multiple habitats are affected.
Consequences decrease in size and scale and become short term.
Consequences decrease in size and scale and become short term.
Consequences spread through the area like a ripple effect, starting in the center and radiating outward.
Consequences increase in size and scale and become longer lasting.
Which change over time in Landsat maps would most likely be associated with contaminated water habitats nearby?(1 point)
Responses
increased size of gray areas
increased size of gray areas
gray areas replaced with light green areas
gray areas replaced with light green areas
increased size of dark green areas
increased size of dark green areas
green areas replaced with yellow areas
increased size of gray areas
Which human activity can result in the heat island effect?(1 point)
Responses
converting forest to agricultural land
converting forest to agricultural land
using habitable land for pasture land
using habitable land for pasture land
building green spaces and roof gardens
building green spaces and roof gardens
covering the ground with concrete and pavement
covering the ground with concrete and pavement
In three to five sentences, describe two impacts of obtaining nonrenewable resources and how these have been affected by increasing population.
Obtaining nonrenewable resources has two main impacts. The first one is environmental as it involves habitat destruction, ecosystem degradation, and water and air pollution. The second one is social and economic, as it involves displacement of communities, human health risks, and the increasing cost of resources due to their scarcity. With increasing population, the demands for nonrenewable resources have increased, resulting in more habitat destruction, pollution, and health risks for the communities living nearby. It has caused more disruption to the social fabric of these communities, including loss of traditional livelihoods and cultures, and severe resource shortages.
In order to expand agriculture and stimulate a sagging economy, the Brazilian government eased environmental laws which allowed large tracts of rainforest to be cut down or burned. In three to five sentences, construct a potential chain of consequences for what can happen as a result of this kind of deforestation. The chain does not have to be linear (i.e., five steps in a row), but can have several branches, one for each different potential consequence. Your chain should include at least four steps, including the original event.
As a result of deforestation carried out by easing environmental laws in Brazil, the following potential chain of consequences could occur:
1. Large quantities of carbon stored in rainforests can be released into the atmosphere through deforestation, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to global warming.
2. Deforestation also decreases the amount of natural carbon sinks available, which function to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
3. The loss of rainforest can lead to soil erosion, desertification, and loss of biodiversity, negatively impacting forest-dependent communities and their livelihoods.
4. Deforestation can also reduce the amount of moisture the forest releases into the atmosphere, causing a decline in rainfall and changes in regional climatic conditions. This can further affect agriculture by reducing crop yields and upsetting the ecosystem.
In three to five sentences, describe how a person can reduce consumption of natural resources when drinking water. Assume that there is no change in the amount of water consumed and that the change is only in the way water is produced.
A person can reduce consumption of natural resources when drinking water by taking simple steps such as installing and using a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Alternatively, they can collect rainwater in containers for use in their home. Another option is to reuse water where possible by collecting the water used for washing fruits and vegetables, and use it to water plants or flush toilets. These actions can help reduce the need for plastic bottled water and limit the amount of water withdrawn from natural sources such as rivers, lakes, or groundwater aquifers.
A city planner is designing a new apartment complex. The complex will have several apartment buildings as well as a paved parking area for residents.
In one to two sentences, describe two ways the planner can help minimize the human impact of the apartment complex on the environment.