Question 1

The allegations against the British Petroleum company (BP) after their major oil spill in 2010 were for what type of crime?

Accepted Answer

The allegations against BP after the 2010 oil spill were for environmental crimes, as the incident caused significant environmental damage.

Question 2

Why were the 1970s labeled the "environment decade?"

Accepted Answer

During the 1970s, significant environmental legislation was enacted, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), marking it as the "environment decade."

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a white-collar environmental crime?

Accepted Answer

White-collar environmental crimes typically involve illegal acts committed by businesses or individuals in the course of their professional activities. Disposing of production materials in an unauthorized site is an example of such a crime, as it often involves a decision made within a corporate or professional context to illegally dispose of waste to save costs or time, in violation of environmental laws.

Question 4

Disposing of old products such as old tires, automobile parts, and different kinds of waste (e.g., landscaping or construction waste) in sites that are not designated for that purpose is which type of environmental white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Illegal dumping refers to the disposal of waste in non-designated areas, which includes the types of waste mentioned such as old tires, automobile parts, and various kinds of construction or landscaping waste.

Question 5

Under the 'sin tax' what are companies allowed to do with pollutants?

Accepted Answer

A 'sin tax' is a form of tax applied to products or activities which are considered harmful to society, such as tobacco and alcohol. It does not directly relate to allowing companies to release pollutants into the air without consequence. However, it does not specifically allow for the other options listed (B, C, D), which involve not disclosing pollution, not covering costs, or facing criminal charges. The concept of a 'sin tax' is more about discouraging certain behaviors through financial penalties rather than permitting harmful environmental practices.

Question 6

How are cases of illegal disposal of hazardous wastes usually brought to the attention of the authorities?

Accepted Answer

Anonymous tips are a common way for authorities to become aware of illegal disposal of hazardous wastes, as individuals may report such activities without revealing their identity.

Question 7

What does the "cradle to the grave" provision of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act refer to?

Accepted Answer

The "cradle to the grave" provision of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act refers to the comprehensive responsibility of waste generators to manage hazardous waste responsibly from the point of its creation until its ultimate disposal. This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste, ensuring environmental protection throughout the entire lifecycle of the waste.

Question 8

What variety of environmental crime was the Love Canal tragedy a result of?

Accepted Answer

The Love Canal tragedy was a result of illegal disposal of hazardous waste, where toxic chemicals were buried and later led to health problems for the local community.

Question 9

What is the difference between illegal dumping and illegal disposal of hazardous wastes?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between illegal dumping...

Question 10

What is one risk of illegal dumping?

Accepted Answer

Products are usually not biodegradable and will destroy land.

Question 11

What is the primary reason illegal dumping occurs?

Accepted Answer

Illegal dumping primarily occurs due to economic reasons, as individuals or businesses seek to avoid the costs associated with proper waste disposal.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of harmful destruction of property?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 13

What is an example of harmful treatment of animals as an environmental white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Overharvesting sea life is considered an environmental white-collar crime as it involves the illegal exploitation of natural resources, which can lead to ecological imbalance and harm to animal populations.

Question 14

The U.S. government has identified which of the following as an environmental threat?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The U.S. government has identified which of...

Question 15

Which variety of environmental crime was committed when the U.S. used uranium in the production of armor and weapons during the Gulf Wars?

Accepted Answer

Environmental state crime involves actions by states or state agencies that are harmful to the environment. The use of uranium in military applications by the U.S. during the Gulf Wars can be considered an environmental state crime due to the harmful environmental and health impacts of depleted uranium.

Question 16

If a company trades a substance that is harmful to the ozone, what type of environmental crime is being committed?

Accepted Answer

Trading a substance harmful to the ozone layer, especially if it violates international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, is considered an international environmental crime. This is because the ozone layer's protection is a global concern, and its depletion has worldwide implications.

Question 17

The EPA's research on hazard identification focuses on what aspect of environmental risks?

Accepted Answer

The EPA's research on hazard identification specifically focuses on identifying the negative health consequences of various pollutants, aiming to understand how these pollutants can affect human health and the environment.

Question 18

Which of the following has the least impact on costs resulting from pollution and environmental crimes?

Accepted Answer

Wildlife costs, while significant in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem health, generally have the least direct impact on economic measures compared to economic, physical, and community costs associated with pollution and environmental crimes.

Question 19

Which of the following would be considered a risk when considering costs to the community due to illegal dumping?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following would be considered...

Question 20

What type of community is at a higher risk for experiencing the effects of environmental crime?

Accepted Answer

Minority communities are often at a higher risk for experiencing the effects of environmental crime due to factors such as economic disparities, less political power, and being located near industrial sites or areas with higher pollution levels. This phenomenon is part of what is known as environmental racism.

Quiz 11: Environmental Crime