Quiz: Protecting Earth's Resources

Which of the following actions could a community take to help reduce the impact on the environment and protect Earth’s resources? Select all that apply.

• Starting a public transportation program that includes buses and trains
• Providing bikes that citizens can rent from a library to take to work
• Increasing their use of renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels
• Implementing a composting program
• Cutting down trees in a protected forest to make room for new buildings

The graph in Figure A shows the percentage of each type of material that is recycled. Which conclusion can you draw from this data?

• Batteries cannot be recycled.
• More steel cans are produced than aluminum cans.
• Less than 40% of plastic bottles are recycled.
• More electronics are recycled than glass containers.

Based on the information in Figure A, which of the following actions can companies take to prevent items from ending up in landfills?

• When possible, companies can use cardboard boxes instead of plastic bottles.
• Since tires are difficult to recycle, companies can throw them away instead.
• When possible, aluminum cans can be used instead of steel cans.
• Companies can produce more electronics to reduce the amount of electronics waste.

Based on the table in Figure B, which conclusion(s) can be made about recycling in the US? Select all that apply.

• The recycling rate for glass in the United States has decreased over time.
• The United States produces the most glass waste in the world.
• The recycling rate has always been above 30%.
• The recycling rate for glass in the United States is 100%.
• The recycling rate for glass in the United States has increased over time.

when a harmful substance gets into the air, water, or soil

• deforestation

• climate change

• pollution

• biodegradable

• compostable

materials that can be put in a compost bin to break down into tiny pieces (example: fruit peel)

• deforestation

• climate change

• pollution

• biodegradable

• compostable

when the weather and temperature of Earth change due to human activities affecting Earth’s atmosphere

• deforestation

• climate change

• pollution

• biodegradable

• compostable

when trees are cut down in a forest and new trees are not planted to replace them

• deforestation

• climate change

• pollution

• biodegradable

• compostable

a nonrenewable energy source that comes from the remains of ancient organisms buried in the earth

• fossil fuels

• climate change

• pollution

• biodegradable

• compostable

materials that can be broken down naturally, causing less harm to the environment (example: paper bag)

• fossil fuels

• climate change

• pollution

• biodegradable

• compostable