Chapter 1: Environment and Sustainability

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What is a point source of pollution?

Back

A point source of pollution is a single, identifiable source of pollution, such as a leaking fuel tank or a discharge pipe from a factory.

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What is a nonpoint source of pollution?

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A nonpoint source of pollution is diffuse and does not have a single point of origin, such as runoff from agricultural fields or urban areas.

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What is the ecological footprint?

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The ecological footprint measures the demand on Earth's ecosystems and compares human demand with planet Earth's ecological capacity to regenerate.

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What is biological capacity?

Back

Biological capacity refers to the ability of an ecosystem to produce resources and absorb waste, measured in terms of area.

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What happens when a country's ecological footprint is less than its biological capacity?

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The country experiences an ecological reserve, meaning it has more resources available than it uses.

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What is an ecosystem service?

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Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, such as clean water, pollination, and climate regulation.

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Which of the following is NOT an ecosystem service?

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Farmers planting crops for food is not considered an ecosystem service; it is a human activity.

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What are renewable resources?

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Renewable resources are resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind energy, and biomass.

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What are non-renewable resources?

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Non-renewable resources are resources that do not replenish at a sustainable rate, such as fossil fuels and minerals.

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What is resource depletion?

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Resource depletion occurs when natural resources are consumed faster than they can be replenished.