Introduction to Sustainability (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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Define sustainability.
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Cards in this collection (19)
Define sustainability.
Sustainability is humans using Earth's resources in a way that ensures they are not depleted for future generations.
What are the key principles of sustainability?
The key principles of sustainability are conserving natural resources by using them efficiently, reducing waste and pollution through responsible consumption, and protecting ecosystems to maintain biodiversity and climate stability.
Define environmental sustainability indicator.
An environmental sustainability indicator is a measure of progress toward sustainability that tracks changes in ecosystems and resource availability.
Indicators of sustainable food production include crop yields, soil , and water availability for irrigation.
Indicators of sustainable food production include crop yields, soil fertility, and water availability for irrigation.
Why is high biodiversity a sign of a sustainable ecosystem?
Higher biodiversity supports ecosystem stability and resilience.
True or False?
A decline in biodiversity can indicate habitat destruction, pollution, or climate change effects.
True.
Falling biodiversity is a warning sign; for example, deforestation is causing a rapid loss of tropical rainforest species and reducing global biodiversity.
What do rising global surface temperatures and CO₂ concentrations indicate?
Rising global surface temperatures and CO₂ concentrations indicate climate change.
Which indicators are used to track human population growth?
Human population growth is tracked using birth rates and death rates, urbanization trends, and resource consumption per capita.
How do unsustainable farming practices affect long-term food production?
Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides degrades soil quality, which reduces long-term food production.
What can result from the unsustainable use of resources such as freshwater, fossil fuels, and forests?
Unsustainable resource use can result in deforestation, soil degradation, and water scarcity.
The three interdependent pillars of sustainability are environmental, social, and sustainability.
The three interdependent pillars of sustainability are environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
How does a strong sustainability model differ from a weak sustainability model?
A weak model only shows the three pillars overlapping, while a strong model shows the economy nested within society, and both nested within the natural environment, emphasizing how the pillars are interconnected.
True or False?
An economy can remain sustainable in the long term without environmental sustainability.
False.
Humans rely heavily on natural resources to meet their needs and support economic activity, so there can be no long-term economic sustainability without environmental sustainability.
Define sustainable yield.
Sustainable yield is the amount of a renewable resource that can be harvested without depleting it faster than it can naturally regenerate.
For a yield to be sustainable, a renewable resource must replenish at a rate equal to or greater than the rate of .
For a yield to be sustainable, a renewable resource must replenish at a rate equal to or greater than the rate of harvesting.
How does ecosystem health affect sustainable yield?
A degraded ecosystem reduces a resource's ability to regenerate; for example, deforestation can cause soil erosion that makes it harder for trees to regrow.
Which management practices help keep harvesting within sustainable limits?
Sustainable management includes quotas, protected areas, and seasonal restrictions.
Why is selective logging an example of sustainable yield?
In selective logging, only mature trees are harvested, which allows younger trees to grow.
True or False?
Excessive groundwater extraction is an example of sustainable yield.
False.
Excessive groundwater extraction is an unsustainable yield because it leads to water table depletion and land subsidence.
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