Environmental Sustainability Concepts

Miss Wilson introduces the flipped classroom model for AP Environmental Science, where students take notes from video lectures at home. The course covers sustainability, Earth as a system, and human impact on the environment. Key topics include resources, carrying capacity, and the Tragedy of the Commons. Students are encouraged to take detailed notes and engage in class activities to reinforce learning.

What is the primary purpose of the flipped classroom model in this course?

• To reduce classroom time

• To allow students to learn at their own pace

• To increase the number of quizzes

• To eliminate the need for textbooks

Which of the following best describes environmental science?

• The study of human interaction with the environment

• The study of chemical reactions in nature

• The study of Earth's physical structure

• The study of ancient civilizations

What makes Earth uniquely suitable for sustaining life?

• Its large size

• Its distance from the sun

• Its moderate temperature and presence of water

• Its high levels of carbon dioxide

What is dynamic equilibrium in the context of Earth systems?

• A state where nothing changes

• A state of constant change

• A state of balance with occasional changes

• A state of rapid change

How does positive feedback affect environmental conditions?

• It has no effect on the environment

• It amplifies existing conditions

• It reverses environmental changes

• It stabilizes the environment

Which resource is considered perpetual?

• Forests

• Wind energy

• Freshwater

• Coal

What happens when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

• The ecosystem expands to accommodate the population

• The population experiences a die-off

• The population becomes more diverse

• The population continues to grow indefinitely

What is the main goal of environmental sustainability?

• To increase economic growth at all costs

• To ensure resources are available for future generations

• To maximize resource use for current generations

• To eliminate the use of non-renewable resources

Which principle is NOT part of environmental sustainability?

• Recycling nutrients

• Maintaining biodiversity

• Controlling population growth

• Maximizing short-term profits

What is the 'Tragedy of the Commons' primarily concerned with?

• The benefits of communal living

• The impact of industrialization on the environment

• The overuse of private resources

• The conflict between individual and collective interests