All Flashcards
How can reducing meat consumption promote sustainability?
It lowers the demand for land, water, and energy used in livestock farming.
How can using public transportation promote sustainability?
It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
How can using renewable energy sources promote sustainability?
It reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
How can reducing consumption promote sustainability?
It lowers the demand for resources and reduces waste generation.
How can recycling promote sustainability?
It conserves resources and reduces landfill waste.
How can sustainable forestry promote sustainability?
It ensures long-term forest health and biodiversity.
How can water treatment systems promote sustainability?
It reduces water pollution and protects aquatic ecosystems.
How can air pollution control devices promote sustainability?
It reduces emissions and improves air quality.
How can community oversight of plant operations promote sustainability?
It ensures environmental regulations are followed and impacts are monitored.
How can implementing waste reduction programs promote sustainability?
It reduces the amount of waste going to landfills and conserves resources.
What are the consequences of exceeding Earth's biocapacity?
Environmental degradation, resource depletion, and decline in long-term well-being.
What is the effect of deforestation on the environment?
Habitat loss, soil erosion, climate change, and reduced biodiversity.
What are the effects of plastic pollution?
Harm to wildlife, contamination of ecosystems, and potential health risks to humans.
What are the effects of high CO2 emissions?
Climate change, global warming, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events.
What are the effects of unsustainable water usage?
Water scarcity, ecosystem damage, and reduced agricultural productivity.
What are the effects of increased air pollution?
Respiratory problems, acid rain, and reduced visibility.
What are the effects of increased water pollution?
Harm to aquatic life, contamination of drinking water, and spread of diseases.
What are the effects of increased waste generation?
Landfill overflow, soil and water contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions.
What are the effects of habitat destruction?
Loss of biodiversity, ecosystem imbalance, and increased risk of extinction.
What are the effects of resource depletion?
Shortages of essential materials, economic instability, and environmental degradation.
What does an ecological footprint measure?
The demand a person, population, or activity places on Earth's ecosystems in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb the wastes it generates.
What factors affect ecological footprint size?
Transportation, travel, diet, consumption, energy use, and water use.
What is the difference between individual and corporate environmental impact?
Individual impacts are from personal choices, while corporate impacts are from business practices, often dwarfing individual effects.
What does it mean to live unsustainably?
A population's ecological footprint is larger than the available resources, leading to environmental degradation and resource depletion.
How does diet affect ecological footprint?
Meat-heavy diets generally have a larger footprint than vegetarian or vegan diets due to the resources required to raise livestock.
How does transportation affect ecological footprint?
Driving and flying increase footprint due to fossil fuel use, while walking, biking, and public transport reduce it.
How does consumption affect ecological footprint?
Buying new items frequently increases footprint, while buying secondhand and reducing consumption decreases it.
How does energy use affect ecological footprint?
Using non-renewable energy sources increases footprint, while using renewable energy sources reduces it.
How does water use affect ecological footprint?
Excessive water use increases footprint, while conserving water reduces it.
What is the relationship between ecological footprint and sustainability?
Ecological footprint is a key tool for assessing sustainability; a smaller footprint indicates more sustainable practices.