Question 1

The global issues discussed in chapter four most seriously challenge the __________.
A) theory of technological exoticism
B) ecological approach
C) expansion model of progress
D) sustainability model
E) logic of interdependence

Accepted Answer

The global issues in chapter four challenge the expansion model of progress, which often prioritizes growth and development without considering the long-term environmental and social impacts, thus conflicting with sustainability goals.

Question 2

One of the difficulties in protecting the integrity of an ecological commons is that independent free riders are tempted to exploit resources irresponsibly.

Accepted Answer

Independent free riders are individuals who take advantage of a shared resource without contributing to its management or conservation. They are tempted to exploit the resources irresponsibly because they do not bear the full cost of their actions. This makes it challenging to protect the ecological commons as a collective effort is needed to ensure its integrity.

Question 3

Serious academic study of global issues has been around for about fifty years.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

In what country did the government in 1970 worsen forest depletion by offering 100 free acres of land to farm that land?
A) Costa Rica
B) Cameroon
C) Nigeria
D) Indonesia
E) Brazil

Accepted Answer

In 1970, the Brazilian government worsened forest depletion by offering incentives such as 100 free acres of land to anyone willing to farm in the Amazon. This policy aimed to promote agricultural development but led to significant deforestation as people cleared vast areas of forest to claim their land.

Question 5

Which qualifies as an ecological metaphor?
A) spaceship earth
B) the grazing commons
C) the lily pond
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

All the options (A: spaceship earth, B: the grazing commons, C: the lily pond) are examples of ecological metaphors. Each metaphorically represents concepts or concerns related to ecology and environmental management. "Spaceship Earth" emphasizes the finite resources and closed system of our planet. "The grazing commons" refers to shared resources and the challenges of collective stewardship. "The lily pond" can illustrate exponential growth and its impacts on ecosystems.

Question 6

The concept of carrying capacity is best illustrated by:
A) the tragedy of the commons
B) the lily pond example
C) the case of the Titanic
D) the case of Bufo Marinus
E) the case of the Exxon Valdez

Accepted Answer

The answer of The concept of carrying capacity is best...

Question 7

Which concept refers directly to limits?
A) sustainability
B) finiteness
C) interdependence
D) equity
E) exponential

Accepted Answer

The concept that directly refers to limits is finiteness, which suggests that there are limits to the resources available on Earth.

Question 8

Which environmental problem does human use of CFCs most seriously exacerbate?
A) global warming
B) deforestation
C) desertification
D) acid rain
E) ozone depletion

Accepted Answer

Human use of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) most seriously exacerbates ozone depletion. CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, leading to the formation of the ozone hole. This thinning of the ozone layer can have serious consequences for human health and the environment. The other environmental problems listed (global warming, deforestation, desertification, and acid rain) are not directly linked to human use of CFCs.

Question 9

A concept which could conceivably have proven quite useful to the White Star Line's officials in 1912 is that of:
A) carrying capacity
B) growth model of progress
C) sustainable development
D) autarchy
E) deep ecology

Accepted Answer

The answer of A concept which could conceivably have proven...

Question 10

Modern ecological problems call for greater inter-disciplinary sharing than has traditionally existed in academia.

Accepted Answer

Modern ecological problems are complex and interconnected, requiring input from various fields of study. Therefore, greater inter-disciplinary sharing is necessary for finding sustainable solutions.

Question 11

The largest destruction of rainforests in the world is occurring today in:
A) Brazil's Atlantic forest
B) Brazil's Amazon forest
C) Cameroon's Ituri forest
D) Indonesia's Pancharat forest
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The largest destruction of rainforests in the world is occurring today in Brazil's Amazon forest. It is estimated that approximately 60% of the Amazon rainforest is located in Brazil, and deforestation rates have been increasing in recent years due to agricultural expansion, logging, and mining activities.

Question 12

Ecological optimists and ecological pessimists differ over how urgent and how severe global issues are, but no one disputes that serious concerns need to be addressed.

Accepted Answer

The statement asserts that there is consensus on the need to address serious ecological concerns, which implies that both ecological optimists and pessimists agree on this point.

Question 13

Identify the decade NOT matched with the central ecological concept at that time:
A) 1960s - sustainable development
B) 1980s - finiteness
C) 1990s - interdependence
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The 1960s was the decade of the Silent Spring, which raised awareness of the finiteness of resources and the interdependence of ecosystems.

Question 14

Global agreement exists today concerning which concept as a desirable goal?
A) growth model of progress
B) exponential growth
C) carrying capacity
D) sustainable development
E) biodiversity

Accepted Answer

Sustainable development is the concept that has gained global agreement as a desirable goal. It involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It focuses on achieving economic development, social well-being, and environmental protection in a balanced and integrated way.

Question 15

The Earth Summit's goal of sustainable development precludes significant improvements in the standard of living of poor countries.

Accepted Answer

The goal of sustainable development is to ensure that economic progress is balanced with social and environmental considerations, which can contribute to long-term improvements in the standard of living for everyone, including people in poorer countries. The Earth Summit was meant to promote sustainability as a means of achieving global prosperity and reducing poverty.

Question 16

Which of the following steps do Christopher Flavin and Seth Dunn recommend as supportive of more sustainable generation of energy in the future?
A) wider use of a semiconductor device known as a solar voltaic cell
B) burning more natural gas and less oil
C) development of the fuel cell, an electrochemical process combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce water and electricity
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Christopher Flavin and Seth Dunn recommend wider use of solar voltaic cells, burning more natural gas and less oil, and developing fuel cells as supportive steps towards more sustainable generation of energy in the future. Therefore, option D is the correct choice.

Question 17

In which group of countries do governments most commonly set pro-natalist policies?
A) LDCs
B) MDCs
C) Arab Middle East
D) East Asian NICs
E) Latin America

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which group of countries do governments...

Question 18

Canadian criticisms of the U.S. environmental legacy has been sharpest regarding which issue?
A) acid rain
B) greenhouse gases
C) smog
D) deforestation
E) ozone depletion

Accepted Answer

Canada has criticized the U.S. for contributing to acid rain, which damages forests, aquatic ecosystems, and buildings. The majority of pollutants causing acid rain in Canada come from airborne emissions in the United States, particularly from coal-fired power plants.

Question 19

The poor LDCs are most critical of their northern neighbors concerning which issue?
A) environmental space
B) the green revolution
C) biodiversity
D) deforestation
E) ecoterrorism

Accepted Answer

The poor LDCs (Least Developed Countries) are most critical of their northern neighbors concerning "environmental space" because they argue that developed countries have historically consumed a disproportionate share of the world's resources, leaving less environmental space for developing countries to grow sustainably.

Question 20

Deforestation has the most adverse long-term consequences with respect to:
A) biodiversity
B) ecoterrorism
C) Green revolution
D) ozone depletion
E) environmental space

Accepted Answer

Deforestation has the most adverse long-term consequences with respect to biodiversity as it directly leads to the loss of habitat for thousands of plant and animal species, resulting in a significant decrease in global biodiversity.

Quiz 4: Global Ecological Problems

The global issues discussed in chapter four most seriously challenge the __________.

One of the difficulties in protecting the integrity of an ecological commons is that independent free riders are tempted to exploit resources irresponsibly.

Serious academic study of global issues has been around for about fifty years.

In what country did the government in 1970 worsen forest depletion by offering 100 free acres of land to farm that land?

Which qualifies as an ecological metaphor?

The concept of carrying capacity is best illustrated by:

Which concept refers directly to limits?

Which environmental problem does human use of CFCs most seriously exacerbate?

A concept which could conceivably have proven quite useful to the White Star Line's officials in 1912 is that of:

Modern ecological problems call for greater inter-disciplinary sharing than has traditionally existed in academia.

The largest destruction of rainforests in the world is occurring today in:

Ecological optimists and ecological pessimists differ over how urgent and how severe global issues are, but no one disputes that serious concerns need to be addressed.

Identify the decade NOT matched with the central ecological concept at that time:

Global agreement exists today concerning which concept as a desirable goal?

The Earth Summit's goal of sustainable development precludes significant improvements in the standard of living of poor countries.

Which of the following steps do Christopher Flavin and Seth Dunn recommend as supportive of more sustainable generation of energy in the future?

In which group of countries do governments most commonly set pro-natalist policies?

Canadian criticisms of the U.S. environmental legacy has been sharpest regarding which issue?

The poor LDCs are most critical of their northern neighbors concerning which issue?

Deforestation has the most adverse long-term consequences with respect to: