World Environment Day Quiz

1. Giant hogweed is an invasive species which, if found on site, must be managed appropriately. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is an offence to cause invasive species to grow in the wild. Giant Hogweed was transported to Great Britain for people to use as decoration, but where in the world did the giant hogweed originate?

Asia

South America

Australia

Africa

The giant hogweed originated in Asia. It was transported to Great Britain for decorative purposes, but it is now considered an invasive species that must be managed appropriately. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is illegal to cause invasive species to grow in the wild.

Explanation

The giant hogweed originated in Asia. It was transported to Great Britain for decorative purposes, but it is now considered an invasive species that must be managed appropriately. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is illegal to cause invasive species to grow in the wild.

2. Construction sites cause statutory nuisance. They are inherently noisy, and can generate dust, exhaust emissions, vibration, odours and fumes. Noise is the largest single source of complaints about construction sites. Section 61 agreements with the local council outline working hours, proposed plant and methodology, and identify steps for minimising impact on local sensitive receptors. Which Act does section 61 come from?

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Control of Noise at Work Act 2005

Control of Pollution Act 1974

Section 61 agreements, which outline working hours, proposed plant and methodology, and steps for minimizing impact on local sensitive receptors, come from the Control of Pollution Act 1974. This act addresses the issue of pollution caused by construction sites, including noise, dust, exhaust emissions, vibration, odors, and fumes. The act aims to regulate and control these pollutants to minimize their impact on the environment and local communities.

Explanation

Section 61 agreements, which outline working hours, proposed plant and methodology, and steps for minimizing impact on local sensitive receptors, come from the Control of Pollution Act 1974. This act addresses the issue of pollution caused by construction sites, including noise, dust, exhaust emissions, vibration, odors, and fumes. The act aims to regulate and control these pollutants to minimize their impact on the environment and local communities.

3. On site, we must prevent pollution of watercourses, such as the Grand Union canal at West Drayton. In Riga, Latvia, high levels of pollutants are still found in many of the country's main water sources, thus placing Latvia amongst the worst in Europe for water quality. Which Crossrail West station is twinned with Riga?

Maidenhead

Ealing Broadway

Slough

West Drayton

The question mentions that the Grand Union canal at West Drayton needs to prevent pollution of watercourses. This implies that the Crossrail West station twinned with Riga must also be located near a watercourse that is at risk of pollution. Among the given options, Slough is the most likely station to be twinned with Riga as it is located near the Grand Union canal, which is mentioned in the question as a watercourse that needs pollution prevention.

Explanation

The question mentions that the Grand Union canal at West Drayton needs to prevent pollution of watercourses. This implies that the Crossrail West station twinned with Riga must also be located near a watercourse that is at risk of pollution. Among the given options, Slough is the most likely station to be twinned with Riga as it is located near the Grand Union canal, which is mentioned in the question as a watercourse that needs pollution prevention.

4. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement, which sets internationally binding emission reduction targets. As developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations. Since the Kyoto protocol was introduced in 1991, the UK has reduced GHG emissions by how much?

8%

18%

28%

38%

The correct answer is 28%. The explanation for this answer is that since the introduction of the Kyoto Protocol in 1991, the UK has successfully reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 28%. This indicates that the UK has made significant progress in meeting its internationally binding emission reduction targets set by the Protocol. This reduction in emissions is crucial in addressing climate change and mitigating the negative impacts of GHG emissions on the environment.

Explanation

The correct answer is 28%. The explanation for this answer is that since the introduction of the Kyoto Protocol in 1991, the UK has successfully reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 28%. This indicates that the UK has made significant progress in meeting its internationally binding emission reduction targets set by the Protocol. This reduction in emissions is crucial in addressing climate change and mitigating the negative impacts of GHG emissions on the environment.

5. Construction work can cause serious harm to watercourses, plants and wildlife. Water pollution can suffocate fish, remove essential oxygen from the water and kill plants, animals and insects living in the water. Pollution includes oils, cement, chemicals and sewage. How much soil, in a bathful of water, would be comparable to water quality that could kill fish and smother plants in a watercourse?

1/2 tsp

1 tsp

1/2 tbsp

1 tbsp

A bathful of water is significantly larger than a teaspoon or tablespoon. Therefore, the amount of soil that would be comparable to water quality that could kill fish and smother plants in a watercourse would be very small. 1/2 tsp is the smallest quantity among the given options, indicating that even a small amount of soil can have a detrimental effect on water quality.

Explanation

A bathful of water is significantly larger than a teaspoon or tablespoon. Therefore, the amount of soil that would be comparable to water quality that could kill fish and smother plants in a watercourse would be very small. 1/2 tsp is the smallest quantity among the given options, indicating that even a small amount of soil can have a detrimental effect on water quality.

6. Renewable energy provides almost 100% of electricity production in Iceland. It is the world's largest green energy producer per capita and largest energy producer per capita. What percentage of energy in the UK is from renewable sources?

3%

11%

15%

23%

The correct answer is 15%. This means that 15% of the energy in the UK comes from renewable sources. This indicates that the UK has made significant progress in transitioning to renewable energy, although there is still room for further improvement.

Explanation

The correct answer is 15%. This means that 15% of the energy in the UK comes from renewable sources. This indicates that the UK has made significant progress in transitioning to renewable energy, although there is still room for further improvement.

7. Developed countries throw away about 30% of purchased food every year. In the UK, this is equivalent to 6.7m tonnes (or the weight of about 20,000 Crossrail trains). How many times could the entire Crossrail project be built, with the value of the food that is wasted in the United States every year?

1/2

1

1 1/2

2

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Explanation

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8. Half of the world's forests have already been altered, degraded, destroyed, or converted into other land uses. International forest certification programmes promote responsible management of the world's forests and at Taylor Woodrow, all timber is procured from accredited sources. Which of the following is NOT an accredited source?

Forest Protection Scheme

Forest Stewardship Council

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

The Forest Protection Scheme is not an accredited source because it is not mentioned in the given information as one of the international forest certification programs that promote responsible management of the world's forests. The other two options, Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, are mentioned as accredited sources in the context.

Explanation

The Forest Protection Scheme is not an accredited source because it is not mentioned in the given information as one of the international forest certification programs that promote responsible management of the world's forests. The other two options, Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, are mentioned as accredited sources in the context.

9. CEEQUAL is scored sustainability assessment being undertaken at Crossrail West. What does CEEQUAL stand for?

Crossrail Environmental Engineering Quality Assessment Scheme

Civil and Environmental Engineers Quality Assessment Scheme

Crossrail Environmental and Quality Award Scheme

Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme

CEEQUAL stands for Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme. This assessment is being undertaken at Crossrail West to evaluate and score the sustainability of the project.

Explanation

CEEQUAL stands for Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme. This assessment is being undertaken at Crossrail West to evaluate and score the sustainability of the project.

10. In May 2013, one of Belize's largest Mayan pyramids (30m), dating back to 3^rd century, was destroyed by a construction company digging for crushed rock. This demonstrates the extreme effect construction activities can have on areas of historical interest. To preserve our history, strict archaeological procedures are in place for all works. To safeguard our heritage, protection arrangements are in place at stations with listed assets. Which two stations at Crossrail West contain listed assets?

Sough

Burnham

Hanwell

Iver

The given information states that protection arrangements are in place at stations with listed assets in order to safeguard our heritage. Therefore, the two stations at Crossrail West that contain listed assets are Sough and Hanwell.

Explanation

The given information states that protection arrangements are in place at stations with listed assets in order to safeguard our heritage. Therefore, the two stations at Crossrail West that contain listed assets are Sough and Hanwell.

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