WorksheetsSustainability Earth Science
Total questions: 17
Worksheet time: 17mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Modern understandings of sustainable development hold that sustainability occurs when:
a)
biodiversity resources exceed human demand
b)
external costs are factored into the value of all converted ecosystems
c)
environmental goals overlap with social and economic goals, achieving a triple bottom line
d)
all economic costs of altering, developing, and maintaining converted ecosystems are taken into consideration
2.
In terms of ecosystem services, the sustainability managed ecosystems would:
a)
provide enhanced and restored services over unaltered natural ecosystems
b)
provide somewhat diminished or damaged services
c)
provide more and more valuable services than converted ecosystems
d)
restore the original biodiversity of ecosystems
3.
The world's average ecological footprint is about 2.7 hectares/person compared to the U.S. average of 9.5 hectares/person. The world is depleting renewable resources approximately___% faster than they can be replenished; however, the U.S. impact alone is approximately___ times greater than the world average
a)
30%;3
b)
15%;2.5
c)
30%;5
d)
30%;2.5
4.
A scientific hypothesis:
a)
is a testable proposition that explains an observed phenomenon or answers a question
b)
is a prediction about something that has not yet been observed but that you want to test in a controlled manner
c)
includes the design of an experiment that can be used in scientific inquiry
d)
always consists of one independent variable to be measured by a scientist
5.
A controlled scientific experiment:
a)
preferably involves collection of quantitative data over qualitative data
b)
is always designed to generate new scientific hypotheses advance science
c)
is an activity designed to test the validity of a hypothesis
d)
involves manipulating only the dependent variable and measuring the independent variable
6.
Ecosystem Services:
a)
contribute to keeping ecosystems economically productive
b)
are economically valuable services provided by natural systems
c)
are required to rebalance natural systems that we have disturbed
d)
are focused on providing humans with the essential life services
7.
A well-designed and well-controlled experiment includes:
a)
a testable hypothesis, one independent variable, replicates, and a quantifiable dependent variable
b)
a testable hypothesis, several independent variables, one replicate, and a quantifiable dependent variable
c)
a testable hypothesis, one independent variable, replicates, and several quantifiable dependent variables
d)
a testable hypothesis, a quantifiable independent variable, one replicate, and a qualitative dependent variable
8.
Which of the following will lead to a more sustainable world culture?
a)
increasing green energy production for everyone
b)
reducing overall consumption and halting population growth
c)
increasing consumer growth for all developing nations
d)
creating industrial systems that are linear in design and operation
9.
The "lesson" of Easter Island was that:
a)
conservation of resources is always necessary for sustainable societies
b)
we never comprehend resource issues until the resource is gone
c)
political support is required to ensure sustainable societies
d)
economics is an important facilitator of sustainable societies
10.
Structures given a LEED platinum ranking are:
a)
inefficient and need to be renovated and upgraded to meet green standards
b)
especially high in heavy metal content
c)
exemplary in sustainable design, especially energy efficiency
d)
constructed to function sustainability without electricity from fossil fuels
11.
Environmental science is most accurately viewed as a science
a)
incorporating economics, social sciences, geography, and policy
b)
incorporating all the sciences, politics, economics, and social sciences
c)
incorporating world politics, decision making, and the environment
d)
designed to solve environmental problems using current technologies
12.
In scientific experiment, the variable(s) which is/are manipulated is/are
a)
the independent variable
b)
the dependent variable
c)
both the independent and dependent variable
d)
both variables, one at a time
13.
It has been well documented that world population growth negatively impacts ecosystem services. The current world population is estimated to be closest to:
a)
3 billion
b)
5 billion
c)
7 billion
d)
10 billion
14.
Specific examples of potentially renewable natural resources are:
a)
water, soil, air, and oil
b)
timber, water, and mineral resources
c)
forests, water, and soil
d)
tidal energy, water, and mineral ores
15.
A modern day example of the "tragedy of the commons" would be:
a)
strip-mining in a national park or national forest
b)
use of herbicides and pesticides by industrial agriculture in California
c)
acid precipitation falling throughout the northeastern United States
d)
grazing sheep in private park
16.
Carbon-neutrality approaches refer to:
a)
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion
b)
eliminating use of of all carbon-based compounds
c)
cap-and-trade efforts currently employed by global interprise
d)
adhering to the Montreal Protocol, purchasing carbon offsets, and employing ecosystem services
17.
Several of the least expensive ways to achieve a sustainable lifestyle would include:
a)
using only renewable energy sources
b)
employing water conservation and recycling, bicycling, and eating local produce
c)
recycling, water conservation, and purchasing carbon offsets
d)
using tidal and solar energy, recycling, and water conservation
100 %
