Chapter 01 Key Themes in Environmental Sciences

1. It is estimated that the Earth can support

a) as many as 5 billion peopleb) as many as 10 billion peoplec) as may as 20 billion peopled) as many as 30 billion peoplee) as many as 40 billion people

2. According to your text, John Eli Miller lived long enough to see _____ direct descendants in his family.

a) 30b) 50c) over 300d) over 400e) over 500

3. The continent used in your textbook to exemplify the effects of famines in recent times is:

a) Asiab) Africac) Australiad) South Americae) North America

4. According to your textbook, which of the following factors leads to most environmental problems?

a) insufficient clean drinking waterb) insufficient fertilizers for agriculturec) the growth of the human populationd) atmospheric catastrophese) global warming

5. During which period of time has the Earth’s human population seen the greatest growth?

a) the 12th centuryb) the 15th centuryc) the 18th centuryd) the 19th centurye) the 20th century

6. The Gaia hypothesis proposes that the Earth’s environment has been profoundly changed by

a) global warmingb) the presence of life on the planetc) the reversal of Earth’s magnetic polesd) volcanic activity in the paste) major floods

7. The maximum number of individuals that can be maintained by an ecosystem is called

a) the Precautionary Principleb) utilitarian justification c) ecological justificationd) carrying capacitye) sustainability

8. According to your textbook, which of the following factors the least effect on population growth?

a) increased food productionb) a decrease in birth ratesc) modern medical advancesd) decreased infant mortalitye) use of fertilizers in agriculture

9. Today, most people live and work in urban areas.

True/False

10.The population of North America is increasing a greater rate than that of Latin America.

True/False

11.People affect the environment, but the environment does not affect people.

True/False

12.The Earth cannot withstand sustainable growth for an unspecified period of time.

True/False

13.New York is the world’s largest city.

True/False

14.The Precautionary Principle has been accepted by most countries in the world.

True/False

15.The Earth’s human population has experienced a steady growth rate for the last several centuries.

True/False