Earth Day challenge 2!

1. What is the Greenhouse effect?

• a. The name of climate change legislation that was passed by Congress

• b. When you paint your house green to become an environmentalist

• c. When the gasses in our atmosphere trap heat and block it from escaping our planet

• d. When you build a greenhouse

Answer explanation

The Earth receives solar radiation from the sun.

Passing through the atmosphere, some radiation is absorbed by the Earth, while some are reflected back to space.

When the exchange of incoming and outgoing radiation occurs, some of the radiation becomes trapped by gases in the atmosphere.

This creates a “greenhouse” effect and warms the planet.

2. Individual consumer carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses generated by our actions. What are ways an individual can reduce their footprint?

• a. Change to a plant-based diet

• b. Walk, bike, or take public transportation

• c. Use less air conditioning and heating in the home

• d. All of the above

3. Which is NOT a factor contributing to the loss of biodiversity?

• a. The planting of trees

• b. Urbanization

• c. Climate change

• d. Over-exploitation of species

Answer explanation

Species are subject to overexploitation, which may be due to poaching, hunting, or harvesting.

When the climate changes, animal species have to adapt; temperature differences may send signals that cause reproduction or migration at the wrong time, when species aren’t ready.

Deforestation and habitat destruction, particularly for urbanization and development, also lead to the loss of biodiversity.

4. What does greenwashing in fashion refer to?

• a. Washing clothing in environmentally friendly ways

• b. Claims of environmental sustainability by a brand that is false or misleading

• c. Using natural fabric dyes

• d. Lying to people around you that something you bought was secondhand when it wasn’t

Answer explanation

Greenwashing is a communication and marketing strategy adopted by companies or other organizations.

It consists in putting forward ecological arguments in order to forge an ecologically responsible image among the public.

Nevertheless, the reality of the facts does not correspond, or corresponds insufficiently, to the content of the messages shared.

5. Which of the following is not an example of shopping sustainably?

• a. Buying new clothing to match seasonal trends

• b. Shopping at thrift stores

• c. Buying a few, high-quality items that will last

• d. Picking garments made from natural fibers like cotton

6. Why is plastic dangerous for marine life?

• a. They mistake it for food and cannot digest it

• b. They can get tangled in it which hinders their ability to swim

• c. Bacteria on plastic can give coral diseases

• d. All of the above

Answer explanation

Plastic tends to float and bobbing on the surface can lead them to be mistaken for other marine life.

Plastic bags are often mistaken for jellyfish by leatherback turtles and are consumed.

Marine life can also get tangled in nets, cords, and other plastic debris, which hinders their ability to swim and in some cases, can be a severe choking hazard.

7. Upcycled food is all about elevating food to its:

• a. Least expensive use

• b. Highest and best use

• c. Most popular use

• d. Use as pet food

Answer explanation

Upcycling food is an example of a “value-added product,” like turning flour into bread, but also captures the value of upcycled ingredients and saves them from being wasted.

8. Which of the following is NOT CONSIDERED to be a source of renewable energy?

• a. Hydropower

• b. Wind

• c. Natural gas

• d. Solar

Answer explanation

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed.

Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished.

Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.

Fossil fuels - coal, oil, and gas - on the other hand, are non-renewable resources that take hundreds of millions of years to form.

Fossil fuels, when burned to produce energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide.

9. Which of the following is NOT a reason why biodiversity is important?

• a. Biodiversity loss would decrease water quality

• b. Biodiversity ensures food security by supplying a wide variety of plant and animal species for nutrients. Biodiversity loss decreases available nutrition

• c. There are too many animal species in the world

• d. Many species act as a pest control

Answer explanation

Biodiversity is important for a variety of reasons.

For one, biodiversity promotes healthier, maintained ecosystems that provide services to us, such as protected water resources and recovery from disasters.

The genetic variety of crops, livestock, and marine organisms used for food ensures that humans are provided with a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.

A variety of diverse species ensures that natural enemy species, which are integral to biological control, are able to take care of pests in ecosystems.

10. Which of the following fabrics releases microplastics when it's washed?

• a. Polyester

• b. Cotton

• c. Linen

• d. Silk

Answer explanation

Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that are less than <5 mm in length. Textiles are the largest source of primary microplastics (specifically manufactured to be smaller than 5mm), accounting for 34.8% of global microplastic pollution.

Microfibres are a type of microplastic released when we wash synthetic clothing – clothing made from plastic such as polyester and acrylic.

These fibres detach from our clothes during washing and go into the wastewater. The wastewater then goes to sewage treatment facilities.

As the fibres are so small, many pass through filtration processes and make their way into our rivers and seas.