Environmental Science Essentials: Understanding Key Concepts

1. What is the environment?

The study of rocks and soil composition.

The temperature of a specific geographic location.

The process of photosynthesis in plants.

The surroundings in which plants & animals live and on which they depend

The environment refers to the overall surroundings in which living organisms exist, encompassing both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that interact with each other.

Explanation

The environment refers to the overall surroundings in which living organisms exist, encompassing both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that interact with each other.

2. What is global warming?

A continental drift phenomenon

The depletion of the ozone layer

The cooling of Earth's atmosphere

The increase in the temperature of Earth's atmosphere(thought to be caused by greenhouse effect)

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases like CO2. This phenomenon is causing various impacts on the environment.

Explanation

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases like CO2. This phenomenon is causing various impacts on the environment.

3. What does stewardship mean?

A type of aircraft

A cooking technique

Looking after something so it can be passed on to the next generation.

A form of currency

Stewardship refers to the responsible management and care of resources, ensuring they are preserved for future generations.

Explanation

Stewardship refers to the responsible management and care of resources, ensuring they are preserved for future generations.

4. What are natural resources?

Resources that are only found in urban areas.

Artificial substances found in nature.

Naturally occurring materials, such as oil, which can be used by humans

Man-made materials created for human use.

Natural resources are materials that exist in the environment without human intervention and can be utilized by humans for various purposes.

Explanation

Natural resources are materials that exist in the environment without human intervention and can be utilized by humans for various purposes.

5. What does conservation entail?

Ignoring the impact of human activities on the environment.

Encouraging the wasteful use of resources.

Protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment

Exploiting natural resources for profit.

Conservation involves ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources and minimizing harm to the environment for future generations.

Explanation

Conservation involves ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources and minimizing harm to the environment for future generations.

6. What is eutrophication?

Eutrophication is when water bodies become cleaner due to excess nutrients.

Eutrophication is when an increase in oxygen levels in water causes fish to die.

Eutrophication is a natural process with no human involvement.

Pollution causes lack of oxygen in water causing fish to die.

Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, typically due to runoff from the land, leading to a depletion of oxygen in the water that can result in fish kills.

Explanation

Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, typically due to runoff from the land, leading to a depletion of oxygen in the water that can result in fish kills.