Question 1

According to Darwin, which of the following is an important variable in species survival?
A) competition
B) motivation
C) fear
D) health

Accepted Answer

Darwin's theory of natural selection emphasizes competition among individuals of a species for limited resources as a crucial factor in survival and evolution.

Question 2

The advantaged in a society often consciously put the disadvantaged in harm's way to avoid risk themselves.

Accepted Answer

Throughout history and in various societies, those with power, wealth, or status have often made decisions or enacted policies that disproportionately affect the less privileged, exposing them to greater risks or harm, either to maintain their own position or to avoid facing those risks themselves. This can be seen in economic, social, and political contexts.

Question 3

Genetic pollution refers to the health and ecological dangers that can result from artificially splicing genes together.

Accepted Answer

Genetic pollution involves the uncontrolled spread of genetically modified genes into the natural environment, potentially causing ecological and health issues.

Question 4

The first major nuclear reactor accident in the world occurred in December 1952 at the Chalk River nuclear facility in Canada.

Accepted Answer

The first major nuclear reactor accident occurred on December 12, 1952, at the NRX reactor at Chalk River Laboratories in Ontario, Canada.

Question 5

"Normal accidents" refer to the idea that technology will not fail if human subjectivity can be removed from its implementation and operation.

Accepted Answer

"Normal accidents" refer to the concept that in complex technological systems, accidents are inevitable due to the complexity and tight coupling of components, not the removal of human subjectivity.

Question 6

Acid rain is a form of oxygen that blocks ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun.

Accepted Answer

Acid rain is actually rain that has been made acidic by certain pollutants in the air, not a form of oxygen, and it does not block ultraviolet radiation.

Question 7

What aspect of Darwin's theory of species survival did Russian naturalist and social thinker Petr Kropotkin emphasize?
A) competition
B) motivation
C) cooperation
D) survival of the fittest

Accepted Answer

Petr Kropotkin emphasized cooperation among species as a critical factor in their survival, challenging the then-prevailing emphasis on competition and "survival of the fittest." He argued that mutual aid and cooperation were as important for the survival of species as competition.

Question 8

Technological determinism is the belief that technology is the major force shaping human society and culture.

Accepted Answer

Technological determinism is a theory that posits technology as the principal factor driving societal and cultural changes, suggesting that technological advancements and innovations shape human societies in significant ways.

Question 9

Clearly, as the textbook demonstrates, market forces have assisted in dealing with environmental problems. However, markets alone cannot do it all. Why is this so?
A) because of inadequate financial resources
B) because of regulations regarding commodity costs
C) because the pace of change is slow
D) because of multinational mobilization

Accepted Answer

Market forces often work slowly, and environmental issues may require more immediate action than market mechanisms can provide.

Question 10

According to Sheldon Ungar, people are prepared to make significant personal sacrifices on behalf of the environment when they come face to face with which of the following?
A) a sound cost-benefit analysis
B) the concrete loss of personal privilege
C) the majority of others around them doing it
D) a social scare

Accepted Answer

Ungar suggests that significant personal sacrifices for the environment are often motivated by a "social scare," a situation where the potential consequences of environmental degradation become a widespread concern, prompting individuals to take action they might not otherwise consider.

Question 11

Due to higher crop yields and a reduced need for water and fertilizer, genetically modified seeds have proven to be profitable for many farmers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Due to higher crop yields and a...

Question 12

Because of the need to bioengineer and use biotechnology to make good food for everyone, large multinational companies share their patents and information.

Accepted Answer

Large multinational companies often protect their patents and proprietary information to maintain competitive advantages, rather than sharing them freely.

Question 13

The anti-nuclear movement is an example of a movement that forced changes in corporate and government policies. What is demonstrated by the success of this movement?
A) the importance of global media
B) the importance of political pressure
C) the importance of rapid change
D) the importance of collective goals

Accepted Answer

The success of the anti-nuclear movement demonstrates the importance of political pressure, as it effectively influenced government and corporate policies through organized advocacy and public demonstrations.

Question 14

The use of windmills and solar panels to create clean, efficient, renewable energy demonstrates the successful use of which of the following to deal with environmental problems?
A) political pressure
B) civil engineering
C) free markets
D) high technology

Accepted Answer

Windmills and solar panels are examples of high technology being used to create clean, efficient, renewable energy, addressing environmental problems through technological innovation.

Question 15

The greenhouse effect is the gradual increase in the world's day-to-day temperature.

Accepted Answer

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface by trapping heat from the sun, not the gradual increase in temperature, which is more accurately described as global warming.

Question 16

What do Canadian surveys on environmental issues demonstrate about the Canadian public?
A) They are clearly cognizant of the issues.
B) They feel hopeless in the face of environmental problems.
C) They believe that governments should pass more protectionist laws.
D) They are willing to pay significantly higher taxes to protect the environment.

Accepted Answer

Canadian surveys on environmental issues demonstrate that the Canadian public is clearly cognizant of the issues, indicating awareness and understanding of environmental challenges.

Question 17

Heather is angered because people only see the cost of fuel at the pump but not the overall cost to the environment of extracting the fuel, transporting the fuel, and storing the fuel. What is she angry about?
A) environmental costs
B) social costs
C) market costs
D) technological costs

Accepted Answer

The answer of Heather is angered because people only see...

Question 18

Most pollutants released into the environment are especially concentrated in the west and east coasts of Canada.

Accepted Answer

Pollutants are not exclusively concentrated on the coasts; they can be found across various regions of Canada, including industrial areas, urban centers, and agricultural lands, not just the west and east coasts.

Question 19

Carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise in Canada and most other countries.

Accepted Answer

Despite global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Canada and most other countries continue to see a rise in carbon dioxide emissions due to factors like increased industrial activity, energy production, and transportation.

Question 20

The textbook contends that market and technological solutions are insufficient by themselves to overcome the dangers of environmental degradation caused by technology.

Accepted Answer

The textbook likely argues that while market and technological solutions can contribute to addressing environmental degradation, they are not enough on their own because they often fail to fully account for the complex, systemic nature of environmental issues and the need for comprehensive policy and societal changes.

Quiz 22: Technology and the Global Environment

According to Darwin, which of the following is an important variable in species survival?

The advantaged in a society often consciously put the disadvantaged in harm's way to avoid risk themselves.

Genetic pollution refers to the health and ecological dangers that can result from artificially splicing genes together.

The first major nuclear reactor accident in the world occurred in December 1952 at the Chalk River nuclear facility in Canada.

"Normal accidents" refer to the idea that technology will not fail if human subjectivity can be removed from its implementation and operation.

Acid rain is a form of oxygen that blocks ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun.

What aspect of Darwin's theory of species survival did Russian naturalist and social thinker Petr Kropotkin emphasize?

Technological determinism is the belief that technology is the major force shaping human society and culture.

Clearly, as the textbook demonstrates, market forces have assisted in dealing with environmental problems. However, markets alone cannot do it all. Why is this so?

According to Sheldon Ungar, people are prepared to make significant personal sacrifices on behalf of the environment when they come face to face with which of the following?

Due to higher crop yields and a reduced need for water and fertilizer, genetically modified seeds have proven to be profitable for many farmers.

Because of the need to bioengineer and use biotechnology to make good food for everyone, large multinational companies share their patents and information.

The anti-nuclear movement is an example of a movement that forced changes in corporate and government policies. What is demonstrated by the success of this movement?

The use of windmills and solar panels to create clean, efficient, renewable energy demonstrates the successful use of which of the following to deal with environmental problems?

The greenhouse effect is the gradual increase in the world's day-to-day temperature.

What do Canadian surveys on environmental issues demonstrate about the Canadian public?

Heather is angered because people only see the cost of fuel at the pump but not the overall cost to the environment of extracting the fuel, transporting the fuel, and storing the fuel. What is she angry about?

Most pollutants released into the environment are especially concentrated in the west and east coasts of Canada.

Carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise in Canada and most other countries.

The textbook contends that market and technological solutions are insufficient by themselves to overcome the dangers of environmental degradation caused by technology.