How Much Do You Really Know About Earth Day?

1. For Earth Day, I pledge to make a positive change(s) that will reduce my impact on the environment, such as switching to a reusable water bottle, reducing my daily water usage, or recycling more.

Agree

Disagree

The given statement expresses a pledge to make positive changes that will reduce the individual's impact on the environment. By agreeing with this statement, the person is committing to take actions such as switching to a reusable water bottle, reducing daily water usage, and recycling more. This indicates a willingness to be more conscious of their environmental impact and make efforts towards sustainability.

Explanation

The given statement expresses a pledge to make positive changes that will reduce the individual's impact on the environment. By agreeing with this statement, the person is committing to take actions such as switching to a reusable water bottle, reducing daily water usage, and recycling more. This indicates a willingness to be more conscious of their environmental impact and make efforts towards sustainability.

2. How can you help reduce sewage overflows into Lake Michigan?

Install a rain barrel and make sure to empty it between rains

Wait for a sunny day to do your laundry (consider line drying!)

Take a 5 minute shower with a low flow showerhead instead of bathing when it rains

All of the above

All of the above -- Most of our drinking water comes from Lake Michigan so we need to protect it.

Explanation

All of the above -- Most of our drinking water comes from Lake Michigan so we need to protect it.

3. What substance is released into the atmosphere when solid waste, fossil fuels and wood products are burned?

Hydrogen peroxide

Sodium choloride

Carbon dioxide

Calcium sulfate

Carbon dioxide -- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States pumps more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any country in the world. Each U.S. resident contributes about 22 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, whereas the world average per capita is about 6 tons.

Explanation

Carbon dioxide -- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States pumps more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any country in the world. Each U.S. resident contributes about 22 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, whereas the world average per capita is about 6 tons.

4. Which of the following accounts for the greatest percentage of a typical home energy bill?

Heating and cooling

Clothes washer and dryer

Computer and monitor

Refrigerator

Heating and cooling -- Heating and cooling accounts for 49% of a typical home energy bill; the clothes washer and dryer for 6%; electronics for 7%; and a refrigerator for 5%.

Explanation

Heating and cooling -- Heating and cooling accounts for 49% of a typical home energy bill; the clothes washer and dryer for 6%; electronics for 7%; and a refrigerator for 5%.

5. Amercians will buy an estimated 25 billion single-serving, plastic water bottles this year. How many will be recycled?

3 billion

10 billion

15 billion

20 billion

3 billion -- Eight out of 10 (22 billion) will end up in a landfill.

Explanation

3 billion -- Eight out of 10 (22 billion) will end up in a landfill.

6. On average, what is the approximate daily home water use for each person in the U.S.?

25 gallons

50 gallons

100 gallons

200 gallons

50 gallons -- the United States consumes water at twice the rate of other industrialized nations.

Explanation

50 gallons -- the United States consumes water at twice the rate of other industrialized nations.

7. In the same amount of time, which of the following home appliances consumes the most electricity?

Space heater

Hair dryer

Computer and monitor

Water heater

Water heater -- The water heater uses approximately 4,000 watts, more than double any of the other appliances listed.

Explanation

Water heater -- The water heater uses approximately 4,000 watts, more than double any of the other appliances listed.

8. Each reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of how many plastic bags over its lifetime?

100

500

1,000

2,000

1,000 -- Some grocery stores offer a $0.05 or $0.10 credit per bag for bringing your own bags.

Explanation

1,000 -- Some grocery stores offer a $0.05 or $0.10 credit per bag for bringing your own bags.

9. Which of the following accounts for the greatest percentage of total waste in the United States?

Yard trimmings

Paper

Plastics

Glass

Paper -- Every year, enough paper is thrown away to make a 12 foot-high wall stretching from New York to California.

Explanation

Paper -- Every year, enough paper is thrown away to make a 12 foot-high wall stretching from New York to California.

10. How much oil is used to produce plastic water bottles annually in the United States alone?

500,000 gallons

1 million gallons

1.5 million gallons

2 million gallons

1.5 million gallons -- That is enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars per year.

Explanation

1.5 million gallons -- That is enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars per year.

11. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States consumes how many plastic bags, sacks and wraps each year?

80 billion

160 billion

240 billion

380 billion

380 billion -- An estimated 45 million barrels of oil are required to make that many plastic bags.

Explanation

380 billion -- An estimated 45 million barrels of oil are required to make that many plastic bags.