AP Environmental Science Laws and Regulations

Imagine a city struggling with high levels of smog and respiratory illnesses among its citizens. What would be the main goal of implementing policies similar to the Clean Air Act in this city?

• Promote the use of fossil fuels

• Control air pollution and protect public health and welfare.

• Encourage deforestation

• Increase greenhouse gas emissions

Answer explanation

The main goal of implementing policies similar to the Clean Air Act in a city struggling with high levels of smog and respiratory illnesses would be to control air pollution and protect public health and welfare.

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Which organization is responsible for implementing measures to protect species at risk of extinction under the Endangered Species Act?

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• National Park Service (NPS)

Answer explanation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are responsible for implementing measures to protect species at risk of extinction under the Endangered Species Act.

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Imagine you are an environmental engineer. What aspect of your job involves the Clean Water Act?

• Monitoring and reducing the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters

• Improving air quality in urban areas

• Implementing traffic congestion solutions

• Overseeing the conservation efforts in national parks

Answer explanation

The aspect of the job involving the Clean Water Act is monitoring and reducing the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters.

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What is the purpose of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) when it comes to the global trade of ivory?

• To regulate and monitor international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, including the trade of ivory.

• To encourage the illegal trade of endangered species, including ivory.

• To promote the hunting of endangered species for their ivory.

• To protect invasive species that threaten the ivory trade.

Answer explanation

The purpose of CITES is to regulate and monitor international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, including the trade of ivory.

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In the context of a company responsible for the accidental release of hazardous substances into a local river, which legislation would govern the cleanup and liability?

• Addressing climate change policies

• Regulating air quality standards

• Managing wildlife conservation areas

• Cleanup of hazardous waste sites, liability for releases of hazardous substances, and establishes a trust fund for cleanup

Answer explanation

The correct choice is the cleanup of hazardous waste sites, liability for releases of hazardous substances, and establishes a trust fund for cleanup, as it governs the cleanup and liability in the context of the accidental release of hazardous substances into a local river by a company.

A local government is planning to implement a new waste management policy. What should be the main objective of this policy, considering the principles of RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)?

• To protect human health and the environment, promote resource conservation, and implement proper waste management practices.

• To promote pollution and environmental degradation

• To discourage proper waste management practices

• To ignore human health concerns and resource conservation

Answer explanation

The main objective of the waste management policy should be to protect human health and the environment, promote resource conservation, and implement proper waste management practices, in line with the principles of RCRA.

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What is the Montreal Protocol aimed at achieving?

• Promoting the use of ozone-depleting substances

• Supporting climate change initiatives

• Encouraging deforestation

• Protection of the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances

Answer explanation

The Montreal Protocol aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances.

What is the Kyoto Protocol focused on?

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

• Increasing deforestation

• Encouraging water conservation

• Promoting renewable energy

Answer explanation

The Kyoto Protocol is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

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Imagine you are a city planner tasked with ensuring the public water supply is safe for consumption. Which act would guide your standards and regulations for controlling contaminants in the water?

• Ensures safe drinking water by setting standards and regulating contaminants.

• Ensures safe drinking water by setting standards and regulating air quality.

• Ensures safe drinking water by setting standards and regulating noise pollution.

• Ensures safe drinking water by setting standards and regulating food safety.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Ensures safe drinking water by setting standards and regulating contaminants.' as it directly addresses the task of controlling contaminants in the water supply.

Imagine you are a food safety regulator. What principle would guide your decision to reject a food coloring additive found to cause cancer in laboratory animals?

• It only applies to cosmetic products and not food additives.

• It focuses on promoting the use of harmful substances in agriculture.

• It allows the use of any chemical in food production without restrictions.

• It prohibits the approval of any food additive that has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals.

Answer explanation

The correct principle for a food safety regulator is to prohibit the approval of any food additive that has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals.