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WorksheetsGlobal Environmental Protection
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 50mins
Which of the following is NOT a part of the environment?
The built environment
Ecosystems
Heritage value of places
Social and economic characteristics of physical resources
What is global environmental protection?
The right to a safe, sustainable and healthy environment for all generations
Nation states ratifying and enacting international environmental law and responding to domestic environmental issues
Global efforts, both legal and non-legal, to protect the global environment, to respond to environmental issues of universal concern and to ensure the world can support the human population on an indefinite basis
Ensuring that loss of habitat, resource depletion, climate change and loss of biodiversity are addressed
What impact did colonialism have on GEP?
It led to significant environmental damage and impacted the ability of colonised countries to economically develop and legislate for environmental laws
It established nation states that do not have shared values and ethics
It provided European nations with a significant amount of resources for their own development
It provided infrastructure and the rule of law to colonised areas through which environmental laws could more easily be developed
What led to the first recognition of the need to protect the environment?
The counter-culture movement
The Industrial Revolution
Colonisation
Globalisation
Which of the following statements is accurate?
Globalisation has been a positive force for GEP as it has enabled nation states to cooperate in response to global environmental issues
Globalisation has been a positive force for GEP as it has led to responsible TNCs respecting the environment in developing nations
Globalisation has been a negative force for GEP as it hinders the ability of nation states to cooperate on environmental matters
Globalisation has been a negative force for GEP as it has enabled TNCs to more easily exploit the environment in developing nations
Which of the following best reflects the global nature of environmental issues?
Japan's whaling activities
Deforestation due to the palm oil industry
The hole in the ozone layer
Extreme pollution in China
Early domestic legislation in relation to the environment focused on
Ecologically-sustainable development
Resource sustainability
Protected species
Pollution
What is NOT going to be an impact of declining non-renewable resources?
Conflict and war
A lack of willpower to develop renewable energy
Environmental degradation
Mass death in developing nations
What resource is most likely to lead to conflict in the 21st century?
Oil
Natural gas
Agriculture
Water
Which of the following is NOT why GEP is needed?
Resource depletion, climate change, economic prosperity, loss of habitat
Environmental refugees, economic decline, mass death and conflict
Climate change, loss of biodiversity, environmental refugees and resource depletion
The hole in the ozone layer, Japan's over-fishing, food sustainability and climate change
What is ESD?
Development that continues to improve the economic prosperity but with some focus on environmental issues
Development that aims to meet the needs and wants of society today while maintaining and conserving the environment for future generations
Development that aims to meet the needs of society today while maintaining and conserving the environment for future generations
Development that recognises that economic decline is needed in order to prioritise protection of the global environment
Which of the following best aligns with the principles of ESD?
Convention for the Protection of Migratory Species
The Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The carbon tax
Australia & NZ v Japan
Which of the following best reflects the principle of intragenerational equity?
Differentiated targets within the Kyoto Protocol
Europe's NETS with different targets for each member state
Our Common Future which seeks to preserve the environment for future generations
The Rio Declaration enabling NGOs to assist in the development of international and domestic environmental law
Which of the following is going to be the most significant barrier to achieving intergenerational equity?
Climate change
The economic divide between developed and developing nations
Resource depletion
The effectiveness of renewable sources of energy
The precautionary principle recognises that
actions in response to an environmental issue should only occur once the scientific community is of universal consensus
nations must be cautious and deliberate in developing their environmental laws to ensure they do not negatively impact the environment
international bodies must ensure nation states ratify and enact laws reflective of ecologically-sustainable development
if there are serious and irrerversible environmental issues, a lack of scientific consensus should not prevent legal responses to them
A threat to a small and relatively unknown species is significant as
it could lead to a loss of biodiversity.
it could prevent sound sustainable development.
it could lead to a loss of habitat.
it could lead to a collapse of an entire ecosystem.
Which of the following is NOT accurate regarding the Brundtland Commission?
It published the 'Our Common Future' report
Its recommendations have been enacted in a number of nation states
It assisted in establishing World Heritage areas
It recognised that ESD could be achieved if nations effectively managed their natural resources, energy and waste
Which of the following reflects the positive exercise of state sovereignty in relation to GEP?
Australia and the Kyoto Protocol
Europe and NETS
America and the Paris Agreement
Japan and blue fin tuna
Why is state sovereignty such a significant barrier to achieving GEP?
It prevents nations from being able to collaborate on global environmental issues
It does not foster the principle of reciprocity
It prevents the Security Council from being able to gain universal consensus and pass resolutions in relation to the environment
Most nation states still prioritise economic gain over environmental protection
The key UN environmental body is
UNESCO
UNICEF
UNEP
IPCC
Which of the following is NOT a role of UNEP?
Assessing regional, national and global environmental conditions
Implementing environmental laws and policies in nation states that align with the principles of ESD
Developing international environmental instruments and monitoring compliance with them
Providing recommendations to nations on appropriate environmental laws and policies
Which of the following statements is accurate regarding UNEP and Nigeria?
State sovereignty compromises the effectiveness of UNEP and developing nations are less likely to allocate finite revenue on environmental matters
State sovereignty compromises the effectiveness of UNEP but developing nations are more likely due to UNEP's recommendations to divert funds into environmental matters
State sovereignty supports the role of UNEP but developing nations are less likely to allocate finite revenue on environmental matters
State sovereignty supports the role of UNEP and developing nations are more likely to implement recommendations from UNEP
UNESCO enables
nations to review ESD strategies and implement them domestically.
nations to assist in scientific research regarding environmental issues.
nations to establish World Heritage areas.
developing nations to have guidance on how to effectively use aid in relation to environmental issues.
Why is the Ramsar Convention an important international instrument?
Wetlands are needed in order to absorb maritime pollution and provide carbon dioxide
It was the impetus for the developing global collaboration through conferences
It recognised a need to protect endangered species from illegal poaching
It was the first binding international environmental instrument
The protection of whales is most related to which international instrument?
CMS
CITES
UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Rio Declaration
Law reform through CITES primarily affects which regions?
South America and Africa
Asia and the Pacific
North America and the Pacific
Afirca and Asia
What was the most effective outcome of the Stockholm Conference?
Establishing global relationships to cooperate on the protection of the environment
Establishing the United Nations Environment Programme
Establishing basic laws that nations can enact into domestic legislation to protect the environment
Establishing the world's largest network of marine parks
What primarily compromised the effectiveness of the Nairobi Conference?
Global financial collapse
Terrorism
The Cold War
A lack of concern regarding environmental matters
Why is the Montreal Protocol considered one of the most effective international instruments ever?
Universal cooperation, accepting scientific conclusions, binding law and the cooperation of TNCs
Accepting scientific conclusions, binding law, universal cooperation and no financial impact on TNCs
Cooperation by most nations, cooperation of NGOs, broad compliance despite it being soft law and cooperation of TNCs
Binding law, universal cooperation, accepting scientific conclusions and responsible media coverage
Which of the following did NOT stem from the Rio Conference?
UNFCCC
Kyoto Protocol
UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Agenda 21
What international instrument first recognised the precautionary principle in international law?
The Rio Declaration
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Kyoto Protocol
Agenda 21
Why was the UNFCCC important?
It recognised inter and intragenerational equity in international law
It established ESD in international law
It provided the platform for future climate change instruments
It provided differentiated targets for carbon emissions
Differentiated targets pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol reflect
the precautionary principle
the principle of intergenerational equity
ecologically-sustainable principles
the principle of intragenerational equity
Which of the following is NOT accurate regarding the Kyoto Protocol?
It recognised the different economic strength of nations
It was a protocol to the UNFCCC
All major carbon emitters ratified the Protocol
The EU exceeded its Kyoto targets
Which of the following cases applied the UN Convention on Biological Diversity?
Southern Bluefin Tuna Case
Philippines v China
Costa Rica v Ecuador
Pakistan v India
What compromised the effectiveness of the Johannesburg Conference?
The GFC
Lack of scientific consensus
9/11
Focus on economic growth
Which of the following statement is NOT accurate?
The Copenhagen Conference was compromised by the GFC
The Copenhagen Accord sought to keep temperature increases to below 2 degrees but is soft law
The Copenhagen Conference sought to build upon the Kyoto Protocol
The Copenhagen Conference put in place measures as a protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
What was most indicative of the failure of the Rio +20 Summit?
The absence of any Australian response to the summit
The absence of key world leaders
Environmental imperialism
The Global Financial Crisis
What is the goal of the Paris Agreement?
To ensure all nations commit to cutting carbon emissions by 30% by 2030
To comply with internationally-established carbon emission targets in order to keep global warming to below 2 degrees over the course of the 21st century
To ensure that global warming is kept to below 2 degrees over the course of the 21st century
To recognise that nations have the sovereign right to determine their own carbon emission goals without any specific targets
What are Australia's targets pursuant to the Paris Agreement?
28-30% cut based on 2005 levels
28-30% cut based on 1990 levels
26-28% cut based on 2005 levels
26-28% cut based on 1990 levels
Why is the USA withdrawing from the Paris Agreement?
The executive does not believe in climate change
It is argued that it will make American businesses less competitive
It imposes tougher emission targets on America that most other countries
The majority of American scientific studies show that climate change is not man-made
The ICJ was established by
Article 33 of the UN Charter
The Rome Statute
Chapter IV of the UN Charter
Article 52 of the UN Charter
Which court is most relevant to environmental disputes?
The International Court of Justice
The Permanent Court of Arbitration
The Court for the Law of the Seas
The International Criminal Court
What does Australia & NZ v France demonstrate?
The lack of punishment for non-compliance with ICJ judgments
The resource inefficiency of the ICJ and the ability of nations to resolve their disputes through negotiation
A breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
The effectiveness of the ICJ in enforcing international environmental law
Australia v Japan demonstrated
short-term compliance, long-term non-compliance and a breach of the UN Convention for Biological Diversity
short-term compliance, long-term non-compliance and a breach of CITES
short-term non-compliance, long-term compliance and a breach of CITES
short-term non-compliance, long-term compliance and a breach of the UN Convention for Biological Diversity
What was the dispute in Ecuador v Colombia?
Over-fishing of Southern Blue Fin Tuna
Aerial fumigation destroying agricultural land
Maritime boundaries involving ownership of resources
Hydroelectric dams in disputed territories
Which cases were heard at the Permanent Court of Arbitration?
Philippines v China and Pakistan v India
Pakistan v India and Ecuador v Colombia
Ecuador v Colombia and Philippines v China
Philippines v India and Ecuador v China
Why is the outcome of Philippines v China significant in relation to the environment?
It provides the PCA more influence in relation to environmental disputes
The South China Sea contains significant resources
It enables China to expand their geopolitical influence
It demonstrates how cooperation within ASEAN states and the decision of an international court can pressure China to cease its actions
The decision in Pakistan v India
show the effectiveness of the PCA when nations accept its judgments.
shows the ineffectiveness of the PCA as they did not accept the judgment.
show the effectiveness of the ICJ when nations accept its judgments.
shows the ineffectiveness of the ICJ as they did not accept the judgment.
Which of the following cases would NOT be prosecuted at the ICC for environmental crimes?
Forced evictions from agricultural land in Cambodia by the government and military
Contamination of water pumps and wells within South Sudan
Nuclear testing that damages marine life
The growth of crops for palm oil in Indonesia and Northern Africa
What is the EU's primary body or framework for environmental issues?
The EU Sustainable Development Strategy
The Environment Section
The Treaty of Lisbon
The National Emissions Trading Schemes
Which of the following statements is accurate in relation to the EU?
It is responsible for around 15% of global emissions and had reduced its emissions by 10% by the time the Kyoto Protocol expired
It is responsible for around 8% of global emissions and had reduced its emissions by 20% by the time the Kyoto Protocol expired
It is responsible for around 10% of global emissions and had reduced its emissions by 15% by the time the Kyoto Protocol expired
It is responsible for around 20% of global emissions and had reduced its emissions by 8% by the time the Kyoto Protocol expired
In what way does NETS reflect an effective ESD strategy?
It does not provide a cap on carbon emissions but rather lets the market, through trading emission permits, determine the value of carbon emissions and thus provides an incentive to reduce them
It enables nations within the EU to meet both environmental and economic needs by providing member states who are economically struggling with higher carbon emission limits
It enables nations with the EU to meet both environmental and economic needs through the provision and sharing of sustainable sources of energy
It provides a cap on total carbon emissions in line with their targeted cuts but encourages businesses to innovate and reduce their emissions which they can sell to maximise their profit
Which city plans on having only electric cars by 2050?
London
Paris
Copenhagen
Beijing
Which country was recognised by a Yale University study to have the worst environmental record?
China
India
Cambodia
Australia
What is the EU's primary body or framework for environmental issues?
ASEAN Cooperation on Environment
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
ASEAN Education Action Plan
Roadmap for ASEAN Community
Which of the following statements is correct?
ASEAN contains 12% of the world's biodiversity according to the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
ASEAN contains 12% of the world's biodiversity according to the ASEAN Cooperation on Environment
ASEAN contains 19% of the world's biodiversity according to the ASEAN Cooperation on Environment
ASEAN contains 19% of the world's biodiversity according to the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
What is the primary focus of the Roadmap for ASEAN Community?
To encourage ratification of key environmental international agreements
To share collective knowledge and technology regarding ESD policies
Promoting sustainable development through education and public participation
Developing a regional framework including China for the division of resources within the South China Sea
What primarily compromises ASEAN's effectiveness in protecting the environment?
Member states not ratifying international environmental agreements
No environmental programs within the IGO
A focus on tourism and economic growth
A lack of resources to adequately fund environmental protection
Which of the following does NOT compromise the G20 in protecting the environment?
A lack of adequate resources to respond to threats such as climate change
The divide between developing and developed nations
Terrorism and economic growth having a greater focus
A lack of consensus on global environmental manners
How can the federal government ratify and enact international environmental agreements?
s51(xxi) of the Constitution
s51(xxii) of the Constitution
s51(xxiii) of the Constitution
s51(xxix) of the Constitution
The Tasmania Dam case was significant because
its effect was to enable the federal government to ratify and enact the World Heritage Convention to protect the Franklin Dam basin in Tasmania
it recognised the federal government's powers can override state powers pursuant to concurrent powers under the Constitution
its effect was to enable the federal government to gain broad legislative power over environmental issues
it enabled the Federal government to ratify and enact more international environmental agreements
Murphyores v The Commonwealth recognised that
the external affairs power could be used to take executive action regarding environmental issues
the external affairs power could be used to take legislative action regarding environmental issues
the external affairs power could be used to take legislative action regarding environmental issues
the trade and commerce power could be used to take executive action regarding environmental issues
What is the federal government's primary legislation in relation to the environment?
Environment Protection and Biological Diversity Conservation Act
Environment Protection, Biodiversity and Conservation Act
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
Environment Protection, Biological Diversity and Conservation Act
What is the role of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment?
To develop a coordinated approach to the environment between key IGOs
To promote cooperation between state governments concerning environmental protection
To promote cooperation between nation states regarding environmental protection
To develop a coordinated approach to the environment between state and federal governments
The EPBCA requires the relevant minister to consider if any project or proposal would significantly damage the environment before approval is given. What does this reflect?
Ecologically-sustainable development
State sovereignty
Compliance with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
The precautionary principle
How did the then government's actions in 2011 respond effectively to the Johannesburg Conference?
It implemented the carbon tax to cut emissions in accordance with binding targets
It expanded marine parks so that Australia has the largest system of marine parks
It established world heritage areas throughout the states and territories to conserve threatened species
It established a renewable energy target to slowly reduce Australia's carbon emissions
Which of the following is correct regarding the carbon tax?
It led to a decrease in carbon emissions but did not achieve an adequate ESD balance
It did not lead to a significant decrease in carbon emissions and did not achieve an adequate ESD balance
It did not lead to a significant decrease in carbon emissions and did not achieve an adequate ESD balance
It led to a decrease in carbon emissions and achieved an adequate ESD balance
Why was the carbon tax not an effective domestic response to climate change?
It didn't adequately cut emissions
It did not provide incentive for businesses to reduce their carbon emissions
It imposed an artificial price on emissions rather than a market-based price
Reductions in Australia's carbon emissions would have little impact on global emissions
What is an argument against having an ambitious renewable energy target?
It would lead to a net loss of jobs and economic growth over the course of the 21st century
Australia is not well positioned to take advantage of renewable sources of energy
It could lead to a lack of energy security, leading to rolling blackouts
The technology for renewable sources of energy does not yet justify significant investment
What was Australia's renewable energy target at the beginning of 2015?
23.5%
20%
18.5%
30%
Why was the renewable energy target amended after Dick Warburton's review?
It was not ambitious enough
To protect jobs and help industries to remain competitive
It was not meeting Australia's international obligations
It was a requirement of the legislation that repealed the carbon tax
The legislation that repealed the carbon tax had a provision stating that Australia should implement an ETS once other major nations have. Which nation has yet to implement an ETS?
China
Australia
USA
India
Why is Australia's carbon emission reduction target under the Paris Agreement relatively ineffective in protecting the environment?
26-28% cut in carbon emissions is not an adequate target
The target is based on 1990 levels rather than 2005 levels
The target is based on 2005 levels rather than 1990 levels
Australia is not bound to achieve their target
What is the Murray Darling Basin Plan?
A plan to remove damaging species from the ecosystem to support biodiversity
A plan to provide more water from the catchment to farmers to assist in sustainable agricultural practices
A buyback plan involving different water allocations for different states in order to sustain the river's ecoystems
A buyback plan involving farmers, enabling more water to flow through the catchment
What is 'locus standi'?
The sovereign right of a government to approve projects without community consultation
The powers of local councils to establish development parameters to ensure development does not negatively impact the environment
The ability for NGOs to challenge government decisions in court
The right of state governments to exercise residual powers to legislate in relation to environmental matters
Which case established the right for NGOs and other individuals and groups to challenge government decisions in court?
ACF v The Commonwealth (1980)
EPA v Gardner
ACF v The Commonwealth (1989)
Leatch v National Parks & Wildlife
What was the basis of the court's judgment to refuse the development of a power plant in Greenpeace v Redbank Power Co (1995)
The principle of intergenerational equity
The principle of intragenerational equity
Threats to biodiversity
The precautionary principle
The ability for individuals to be prosecuted and imprisoned for environmental crimes was reflected in which case?
Leatch v National Parks & Wildlife
EPA v Gardner
Greenpeace v Redbank Power Co
ACF v Minister for Resources
What is the primary role of the media in relation to the environment?
Raising awareness of environmental issues
Reflecting social values and ethics regarding the environment
Naming and shaming governments for poor environmental management
Lobbying governments for enforceable responses to environmental issues
Which of the following was NOT a role of 'Climate for Change'?
Raising awareness of climate change
Demonstrating the economic impacts of moving to renewable energy
Shaping social values and ethics regarding climate change
Lobbying the government for a strong response to climate change
What is a limitation of publicly-owned media outlets such as the ABC and SBS?
They are unable to politicise environmental issues and criticise governments
They are viewed as not being objective
Not many members of society watch their news programs
They are not well funded and thus cannot engage in extensive investigative journalism regarding environmental issues
What percentage of News Corp articles were critical of the carbon tax?
80%
81%
82%
83%
What is a disadvantage of celebrities raising awareness of environmental issues?
Society views them as having divergent lifestyles and not understanding their needs
They are unable to effectively harness publicity to adequately raise awareness
They rely upon the media to spread their message
NGOs are often reluctant to allow celebrities to support them in raising awareness of environmental issues
What environmental issue has Leonardo Dicaprio raised awareness?
The melting of the Antarctic shelf, leading to a rise in sea levels
Canada's tar sand mining impacting the Rocky Mountains
Australia's neglect of the Great Barrier Reef
Indonesia's palm oil industry, leading to a loss of habitat for orangutans
How has former Vice-President Al Gore assisted in the awareness of climate change?
The Cove
The Gore Environmental Initiative
An Inconvenient Truth
After the Flood
Which of the following is NOT an IGO concerned with the environment?
WWF
Sea Shepherd
Greenpeace
Red Cross
What is the primary role of NGOs in relation to protecting the environment?
Raising awareness of environmental issues
Providing direct assistance to people suffering from environmental incidents
Reflecting social values and ethics concerning the environment
Naming and shaming governments for poor environmental management
What compromises the ability of NGOs to provide assistance after environmental incidents?
A lack of adequate funding
State sovereignty
A lack of information regarding environmental incidents
The difficulty of gaining the assistance of the media
What led to Sea Shepherd ceasing its operations?
Japan successfully challenging them in the PCA
The Australian government no longer financially supporting them
A lack of adequate funding for their anti-whaling activities
Japanese whaling no longer occurring due to an ICJ judgment
Which of the following does NOT compromise the effectiveness of NGOs in protecting the environment?
Society not supporting their vigilante actions
A lack of sufficient funding
Compassion fatigue
A lack of concern for the environment
Which of the following are global threats to the environment?
Resource depletion, extinction of threatened species, state sovereignty, climate change
The global nature of environmental issues, the hole in the ozone layer, loss of habitat and resource depletion
State sovereignty, the global nature of environmental issues, climate change and resource depletion
Loss of habitat, state sovereignty, climate change and extinction of threatened species
What has been the most effective law in relation to climate change?
The Kyoto Protocol
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Paris Agreement
The Montreal Protocol
Which of the following shows the ability of the international community to overcome the global nature of environmental issues to achieve environmental protection?
The Kyoto Protocol
The Montreal Protocol
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Paris Agreement
Which of the following is NOT an international initiative that Australia did not adequately respond to?
The precautionary principle
Protection of fisheries
The hole in the ozone layer
The Kyoto Protocol
Why has Australia not adequately responded to international efforts concerning climate change?
Short-term political interests
Pursuit of economic growth
All of these responses
A lack of faith in scientific analysis of climate change
What is the primary form of conflict that has stemmed from the demand for resources and economic protection?
Disputes requiring negotiation
Interstate conflict
Intrastate conflict
Arbitrary action to acquire the resources
Which of the following nations is most dependent on environmental protection for economic growth?
Australia
Switzerland
Japan
United Kingdom
Which best reflects an effective interdisciplinary approach to the environment?
The Montreal Protocol
The Paris Agreement
The Murray Darling Basin Plan
The carbon tax
What is the projected global temperature rise by 2100?
0.5 to 2 degrees
2 to 3 degrees
3 to 5 degrees
5 to 7 degrees
