Question 1

The Tragedy of the Commons illustrates
A) the danger of mad cow disease.
B) the dangers of collaboration.
C) the challenge of collective action.
D) the impact of high population growth rates in the Third World.

Accepted Answer

The Tragedy of the Commons illustrates the challenge of collective action, particularly in managing shared resources in a way that prevents depletion or degradation due to individual self-interest.

Question 2

The Tragedy of the Commons is similar to
A) Mitrany?s functionalism and Haas?s neo-functionalism.
B) Rousseau?s Stag Hunt fable, raising the question of individual vs. collective action.
C) Wallerstein?s world-system theory.
D) both Marxist and non-Marxist dependency theory.

Accepted Answer

The Tragedy of the Commons is similar to Rousseau's Stag Hunt fable as both concepts deal with the dilemma of individual interests versus the collective good, highlighting the challenges of cooperation and the potential for resource depletion or failure when individuals act in their own self-interest without considering the impact on the group or system as a whole.

Question 3

We can apply J.D. Thompson?s insights on how certainty and uncertainty about causality and outcomes effect environmental policies-understandings he drew from his
A) study of organizations.
B) Marxist critique of capitalism.
C) Tragedy of the Commons parable.
D) critique of Thomas Malthus.

Accepted Answer

J.D. Thompson is known for his study of organizations, particularly how they operate, adapt, and manage uncertainty and interdependence in their environments. This understanding is applied to analyze how certainty and uncertainty about causality and outcomes affect environmental policies.

Question 4

The example of the Nile perch being introduced into Lake Victoria, Uganda illustrates
A) a creative solution to an environmental problem.
B) unintended consequences of environmental policy.
C) a local population solving a problem without interference from outside ?experts.?
D) a success for the African Union.

Accepted Answer

The introduction of the Nile perch into Lake Victoria is often cited as an example of unintended consequences because it led to significant ecological disruption, including the extinction or near-extinction of numerous native fish species, altering the lake's ecosystem and impacting local livelihoods dependent on the original biodiversity.

Question 5

A major issue concerning the atmosphere involves
A) pollution caused by high-altitude jets.
B) high energy radon emissions.
C) nuclear leakage from satellites.
D) a hole in the ozone layer.

Accepted Answer

The hole in the ozone layer is a major atmospheric issue, primarily caused by human-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), leading to increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

Question 6

Measurements show a weakening of the ozone layer over
A) the United States.
B) the Antarctic.
C) Europe.
D) the Pacific Ocean.

Accepted Answer

The weakening of the ozone layer has been most notably observed over the Antarctic, a phenomenon often referred to as the "ozone hole." This issue has been a significant concern due to its potential impact on climate and increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

Question 7

Burning fossil fuels over many decades increases the overall volume of
A) carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
B) lead in the atmosphere and oceans.
C) CFCs in the oceans.
D) water in the ocean.

Accepted Answer

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. This process does not directly increase lead, CFCs, or water volume in the oceans.

Question 8

Which of the following is the least likely to be a major cause of deforestation?
A) expansion of agricultural land
B) overharvesting of industrial and fuel wood
C) overgrazing
D) infestation of birds

Accepted Answer

Infestation of birds is the least likely to be a major cause of deforestation compared to the other options. Deforestation is primarily driven by human activities such as agricultural expansion, overharvesting of wood, and overgrazing, rather than natural phenomena like bird infestations.

Question 9

The extent of the loss of biodiversity is calculated against what is termed
A) the Tragedy of the Commons.
B) the Stag Hunt outcome.
C) CFC index.
D) the natural rate of extinction.

Accepted Answer

The extent of the loss of biodiversity is often calculated against what is termed the natural rate of extinction, which refers to the background rate of species extinctions that occurs without human intervention.

Question 10

Approximately one-third of the world?s population lives in countries that suffer from what scientists term
A) little or low water stress.
B) moderate water stress.
C) moderate-to-high water stress.
D) no water stress.

Accepted Answer

Approximately one-third of the world's population resides in regions experiencing moderate-to-high water stress, indicating these areas face significant challenges in accessing sufficient water to meet the needs of their populations.

Question 11

Approximately how many people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water?
A) just over a billion persons
B) 4 billion persons
C) 6 billion persons
D) 8 billion persons

Accepted Answer

Approximately just over a billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, highlighting a significant global challenge in ensuring access to basic needs.

Question 12

Which of the following is the largest source of oceanic pollution?
A) dead fish and fowl
B) sewage
C) seaweed spores
D) leakage from nuclear reactors on submarines

Accepted Answer

Sewage is the largest source of oceanic pollution, contributing significantly to the degradation of marine environments through the introduction of harmful chemicals, nutrients, and pathogens.

Question 13

One of the major results of El Niño in 1997-1998 was
A) improved climate controls.
B) end of long-net fishing.
C) worldwide bleaching of coral.
D) increased bird populations in the Arctic.

Accepted Answer

The major El Niño event in 1997-1998 led to widespread coral bleaching across the globe due to elevated sea temperatures.

Question 14

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
A) are the major cause of global warming.
B) are no longer produced.
C) will remain in the Earth?s atmosphere for many decades.
D) were first used in the Third World.

Accepted Answer

CFCs have a long atmospheric lifetime, meaning they can remain in the Earth's atmosphere for many decades after their release. This characteristic contributes to their environmental impact, particularly in depleting the ozone layer, rather than being a major cause of global warming.

Question 15

If global temperature rises by more than two degree Celsius, this raises the prospect of
A) runaway climate change.
B) reduced demand for heating oil.
C) global cooling as a natural reaction.
D) decreasing acidity of rainfall.

Accepted Answer

Runaway climate change refers to a scenario where global warming triggers uncontrollable and self-perpetuating climate processes, leading to severe and irreversible impacts. A rise in global temperature beyond two degrees Celsius significantly increases the risk of such events.

Question 16

Countries in which serious conflict has erupted over water use include all of the following EXCEPT
A) Syria.
B) North Korea.
C) Israel.
D) Brazil.

Accepted Answer

Brazil has not experienced serious conflict over water use.

Question 17

Countries that rely on the waters of the Euphrates include all of the following EXCEPT
A) Egypt.
B) Iraq.
C) Syria.
D) Turkey.

Accepted Answer

Egypt does not rely on the waters of the Euphrates; it primarily depends on the Nile River for its water supply. Iraq, Syria, and Turkey all share the waters of the Euphrates River.

Question 18

Which of the following countries relies almost exclusively (96 percent) of its freshwater coming from outside its borders?
A) Egypt
B) Syria
C) Jordan
D) Israel

Accepted Answer

Egypt relies almost exclusively (96 percent) on the Nile River for its freshwater, which flows into Egypt from upstream countries like Ethiopia and Sudan.

Question 19

The environmental problem in Bangladesh is primarily attributed to
A) declining levels of agricultural production capabilities of the soil.
B) land scarcity in relation to population growth.
C) shortage of water.
D) cold temperatures that undermine agricultural production.

Accepted Answer

Bangladesh faces significant environmental challenges due to its high population density and limited land resources, leading to land scarcity issues.

Question 20

Which of the following, in and of itself, is LEAST likely to cause political violence directly?
A) the coercive power of the state
B) perceptions of injustice or inequity
C) the condition of poverty
D) perceptions of economic and political opportunity

Accepted Answer

Poverty alone is least likely to directly cause political violence, as it often requires additional factors like perceived injustice or lack of opportunities to lead to such outcomes.

Quiz 14: The Global Environment

The Tragedy of the Commons illustrates

The Tragedy of the Commons is similar to

We can apply J.D. Thompson?s insights on how certainty and uncertainty about causality and outcomes effect environmental policies-understandings he drew from his

The example of the Nile perch being introduced into Lake Victoria, Uganda illustrates

A major issue concerning the atmosphere involves

Measurements show a weakening of the ozone layer over

Burning fossil fuels over many decades increases the overall volume of

Which of the following is the least likely to be a major cause of deforestation?

The extent of the loss of biodiversity is calculated against what is termed

Approximately one-third of the world?s population lives in countries that suffer from what scientists term

Approximately how many people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water?

Which of the following is the largest source of oceanic pollution?

One of the major results of El Niño in 1997-1998 was

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

If global temperature rises by more than two degree Celsius, this raises the prospect of

Countries in which serious conflict has erupted over water use include all of the following EXCEPT

Countries that rely on the waters of the Euphrates include all of the following EXCEPT

Which of the following countries relies almost exclusively (96 percent) of its freshwater coming from outside its borders?

The environmental problem in Bangladesh is primarily attributed to

Which of the following, in and of itself, is LEAST likely to cause political violence directly?