IDEA Hacks Environment Quiz

Which of the following are recyclable?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

Paper products smaller than a business card are not recyclable.

However, metals of any size are recyclable (because they can be picked up by a magnet).

What proportion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from animals?

• 5%

• 12%

• 15%

• 24%

What percentage of food is wasted in the US?

• 10 - 20%

• 20 - 30%

• 30 - 40%

• 40 - 50%

Answer explanation

The monetary value of this food waste is over $150 billion

Source: https://www.usda.gov/foodwaste/faqs

What percentage of water in LA is used for watering lawns?

• 13%

• 28%

• 44%

• 53%

Answer explanation

Switching to native plants and drought-tolerant landscaping can drastically reduce urban water usage.

Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-03/californias-environment-takes-biggest-hit-during-drought

Groundwater overuse is causing the San Joaquin Valley to sink by up to how much per year?

• 0.5 inches

• 2 inches

• 6 inches

• 2 feet

Answer explanation

Land subsistence, caused by removing too much water from groundwater aquifers, permanently reduces the amount of water the aquifers can store.

Source: https://calmatters.org/environment/2021/08/california-groundwater-dry/

The CO2 emissions from one flight from London to New York is equivalent to which of the following? (select all that apply)

• Running the dishwasher 1400 times

• A year's worth of emissions from a resident of Ghana

• Driving solo from LA to New York

• The carbon stored in 200 trees

Answer explanation

A flight from New York to London emits around 1500 ponds of CO2 per passenger.

Driving one car from LA to New York emits over 2,000 pounds of CO2 .

The average tree stores 48 pounds of carbon.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49349566

https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/trees-are-climate-change-carbon-storage-heroes

Food waste in landfills releases methane gas which is how much more potent of a greenhouse gas than CO2?

• 10%

• 18%

• 25%

• 32%

Which of the following result from increased CO2 emissions? (select all that apply)

• Depletion of the ozone layer

• Climate change

• Algal blooms

• Ocean acidification

What is the most sustainable option for dining ware?

• Plant fiber utensils utensils

• Bioplastic utensils

• Reusable utensils (including washing)

• Plastic utensils

Which of the following are "complete" proteins

• Soy (edamame, tofu, miso)

• Nuts

• Hummus and pita

• Eggs