Sustainability unit review

What is the definition of the tragedy of the commons?

• when humans overuse a natural resource

• when the short-term, positive effects go to the individual, while the long-term, negative effects are spread out to the group

• when humans act selfishly, thinking of the own interest

• when plants and animals compete for space, resources, and/or food

Which of the following are both examples of the tragedy of the commons?

• overfishing and earthquakes

• flooding and tsunamis

• pollution and overpopulation

• super-germs and virus outbreaks

Which of the following is an example of a solution to the tragedy of the commons?

• Improving literacy among urban populations

• Inventing stronger antibiotics

• Raising taxes for large corporations

• Passing laws to prevent overharvesting

Which of the following is NOT an example of a commons?

• air

• oceans

• private beach

• forests

Sustainability is

• the process of maintaining resources so they are not depleted or permanently damaged

• the ability to use resources faster than they are renewed

• they ability to save resources for years and years

• the process of using resources for one's own benefit without regard for others

As populations grow, the tragedy of the commons will become more of a problem?

• True

• False

If the total number of species decline from 700 to 200, what can be said about the biodiversity?

• Biodiversity would not change because extinction has been eliminated.

• Biodiversity is increasing.

• Biodiversity is decreasing.

• Biodiversity is constant and stable.

What does ecological footprint measure?

• How quantity of natural resources humans need compared to the earth's capacity to provide those resources

• The size of cities across the world

• The amount of fossil fuels that are burned for energy

• The shoe size of the average human

How is ecological footprint measured?

• In terms hectares of land required by each person in a selected area for food, water, transport, housing and waste management

• In terms of number of years it would take before resources ran out

• In terms of the average life expectancy of a nation

• In terms of shoe size, e.g. women's 9

Which is NOT a way to decrease your ecological footprint?

• Eating less meat and processed foods
• Walking or biking to school
• Turning off electricity and water when you're not using it. 
• Driving a large car around for fun.