Shared Flashcard Set

Details

The basics of Environmental Science
Vocab terms
29
Environmental Studies
11th Grade
09/23/2013

Additional Environmental Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Environment
Definition
All of the external conditions both abiotic and biotic, that affect an organism or group of organisms. (Factors that affect organisms.)
Term
Ecology
Definition
The study between organisms and their relationship with the environment
Term
Environmental Science (on Earth)
Definition
The relationship of how humanity interacts with the environment (interdisciplinary)
Term
Carrying Capacity
Definition
The maximum number of individuals (of a certain species) that a certain environment can support sustainably (long term), assuming that there are no changes in that environment
Term
Solar Capital
Definition
Energy from the sun
Term
Earth's Capital
Definition
Our planet's air, water, soil, etc. What the Earth provides us.
Term
Exponential Growth
Definition
When something (such as a population) constantly increases over a period in time. Exponential growth produces a characteristic J-shaped curve.
Term
Linear Growth
Definition
When something increases at a constant rate over a period of time and produces a straight line.
Term
Sustainable Society
Definition
Manages its economy and population size without exceeding all or part of the planet's ability to regenerate resources and future generations
Term
Developed countries
Definition
Countries such as the US that are highly industrialized with a low fertility and infant mortality rate.
Term
Developing countries
Definition
A country not highly industrialized that usually has a high fertility and infant mortality rate, with a low per capita income such as Africa, Asia, & Latin America
Term
Renewable
Definition
Things like resources that can be replaced by a process and continuous use (water)
Term
Nonrenewable
Definition
Things such as resources that are present in limited supplies and are depleted by use (fossil fuels, coal)
Term
Potentially renewable
Definition
Something (like a resource) that has the potential/possibility to be renewed
Term
Environmental Degradation
Definition
When the supply of the available resource begins to shrink because the resource's natural replacement rate has exceeded (tragedy of the commons causes this)
Term
P x A x T= I
Definition
The population (# of people), the affluence (amount of resources used per person), and the technologies used to consume the resources multiplied together equal I (the environmental impact).
Term
Environmental Worldview
Definition
Respects the environment and human need Helps us make sense of how the environment works and what is right and what is wrong, and what our place is in the environment
Term
Western Worldview
Definition
Humans are dominate and superior. They have a desire to conquest and may use as many resources as they want for material desires. Anthropogenic (human caused).
Term
Earth Wisdom
Definition
Treating the Earth with respect. Harmony with nature. Biocentric
Term
Ecological footprint
Definition
An average amount of land and ocean needed to supply a person food, water, energy, and shelter (broad)
Term
Tragedy of the Commons
Definition
Garret Hardin. "If I don't use this resource someone else will...the little bit I use or pollute is not enough to matter." The fact that we cannot solve our environmental problems is why we struggle in the well being of society
Term
Green Architecture
Definition
Buildings that include energy conservation, improved indoor air quality, water conservation, reused/recycled building materials
Term
Carbon footprint
Definition
How much Carbon Dioxide (CO2) that you emit
Term
Greenhouse gas
Definition
Gases that include CO2, methane, nitrous oxide,CFCs, and tropospheric ozone. It accumulates and causes global warming due to human activity
Term
Reduce
Definition
Lowering the amount of waste
Term
Recycle
Definition
Processing the waste and using it to create something "new"
Term
Reuse
Definition
Using something again in a different way
Term
Agenda 21
Definition
Action plan for a sustainable society in the 21st century
Term
Gaia Hypothesis
Definition
Earth will repair itself if given the chance
Supporting users have an ad free experience!